jenaneter's review against another edition
5.0
Skunk and Badger, written by Amy Timberlake and illustrated by Jon Klassen, is utterly charming. As the title suggests, it tells the story of a skunk and a badger, aptly named Skunk and Badger, who become roommates. While Badger is serious and focused on his Important Rock Work, Skunk is more carefree, interested in having fun, eating good food, and entertaining chickens.
The writing is sharp and sweet, with several hysterical little chicken puns, and clever wordplay throughout. The characters are archetypes, but also manage to have their own personalities and quirks, even those who only appear on the page briefly.
Fans of Wallace and Gromit, Frog and Toad, or any other odd-couple will be sure to love this quaint, silly, completely charming story.
Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers and NetGalley for the ARC!
The writing is sharp and sweet, with several hysterical little chicken puns, and clever wordplay throughout. The characters are archetypes, but also manage to have their own personalities and quirks, even those who only appear on the page briefly.
Fans of Wallace and Gromit, Frog and Toad, or any other odd-couple will be sure to love this quaint, silly, completely charming story.
Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers and NetGalley for the ARC!
katiecatbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Middle grade. Quaint. Friendship.
Story: Badger lives alone in a big brownstone, where he does his rock work in peace and eats cold cereal. Then one day Skunk appears and to his surprise, announces he is moving in with him!
Language: This is a book that felt like it could have been written decades ago, yet has the timeless appeal of today. Set in a small town that has a quaint British feel, the simple plots involving chickens and being roommates and friends is delightful. Illustrations pop up now and then and add to the story and characters. The best part of this book is the format - hardback and wide, so sentences draw out over each page. Had this been a squat paperback with text smashed together, it would have been less appealing and less enjoyable to read.
Characters: Badger is used to routine and used to being alone. Skunk is more carefree and has strong opinions on many things.
My last read of the year and a great way to round it out. Thoroughly enjoyable and cozy.
Story: Badger lives alone in a big brownstone, where he does his rock work in peace and eats cold cereal. Then one day Skunk appears and to his surprise, announces he is moving in with him!
Language: This is a book that felt like it could have been written decades ago, yet has the timeless appeal of today. Set in a small town that has a quaint British feel, the simple plots involving chickens and being roommates and friends is delightful. Illustrations pop up now and then and add to the story and characters. The best part of this book is the format - hardback and wide, so sentences draw out over each page. Had this been a squat paperback with text smashed together, it would have been less appealing and less enjoyable to read.
Characters: Badger is used to routine and used to being alone. Skunk is more carefree and has strong opinions on many things.
My last read of the year and a great way to round it out. Thoroughly enjoyable and cozy.
verydazedragon's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book very much put me in mind of Frog and Toad, but with more of a mismatched friendship. I liked the grumpy x sunshine friendship.
madelinefmcguire's review against another edition
5.0
When Skunk shows up on the door step of Badger's brownstone (well it really is his Aunt Lula's) Badger is not pleased. Badger is used to everything being the way it always has been and now Skunk has turned everything upside down. Plus there are chickens everywhere!
This book was short, sweet, and extremely charming. Good for kids (and anyone) who likes the odd couple trope, animals, and earnest relationships.
This book was short, sweet, and extremely charming. Good for kids (and anyone) who likes the odd couple trope, animals, and earnest relationships.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
Such a quirky book. I’m on my second read of it, this time with young readers. Looking forward to seeing and hearing their reactions!
caseykoester39's review against another edition
5.0
Touching and realistic story about two people thrown together in a living situation and how they work out the kinks to cohabitate peacefully as friends. The details are a delight from rock facts to chickens of the world. Not many pictures here, but the text is large. Good for upper elementary readers.
alissabar's review against another edition
3.0
Cute story about friendship which reminded me of the odd couple in a lot of ways. Loved the illustrations. And really, can you go wrong with a story that includes chickens?
rhodesee's review against another edition
4.0
Badger is quite set in his ways and enjoys spending his time alone, doing Important Rock Work. When Skunk shows up at his door one day, announcing he is Badger's new roommate, the ideal life Badger thought he had gets turned upside down! He soon discovers that having Skunk around isn't all bad though and they settle into a new routine together. Skunk and Badger are both still very set in their ways however and the peace can't last forever but when Badger again finds himself alone, as he thought he wanted to be, he realizes that life with Skunk was actually pretty nice. This is a really sweet story about an odd-couple friendship. It is lifted by gorgeous illustrations by Jon Klassen. I can't wait to read more of Skunk and Badger's adventures.
claiben's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my goodness. This book is so sweet and cute and sad and hard. It’s a great read aloud for younger kids or read “on your own” for 3rd-5th grade. There’s a hard moral to learn in this story about friendship and getting along with people who are different. I read aloud to Sam and he recognized Skunk’s feelings of exclusion and not being wanted and Badger’s feelings of guilt when he acted hurtfully. This book taught about apologizing and forgiveness, too. Sam and I adored it.
brittburkard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75