It feels wonderful to hold in the hand, delightful to look at and even better to read. The paper in the book is a beautiful, thick, matt cream and the illustrations have pinches of colour on contrasting silky sheets of white. The style of the book is quite old fashion which I love and you eagerly anticipate the next illustration by the master that is Jon Klassen. For my daughter this book is a little old for her to read herself but it’s the perfect read aloud for me to read to her. Badger’s passion for rocks is one that I share and this book absolutely makes you want to go rock exploring. There’s so much for younger listeners and older readers to delight in and reflect upon, including two full-color plates and occasional black-and-white illustrations that add to the story’s immense pleasure.It’s one of those books where you’re hoping things will work out how you hope and you spend a lot of the book with a gentle smile on your face. Badger didn’t mean to hurt Skunk’s feelings, or upset the chickens-can he make things right? A story offering humor and warmth in equal measure shines with rich language, playful descriptive writing (“The bulb hummed fluorescently”) and terrific characterizations. After Badger is caught in the crossfire when Skunk sprays the stoat (who was lying in wait for the chickens), he loses his temper.

Skunk is sure the stoat who delivers a telegram from Aunt Lula is lying in wait for the chickens so insists they spend the night. While Badger awaits her reply, Skunk invites some chickens over for story time-lots of chickens. But scientist Badger cannot abide Skunk’s constant daytime interruptions of his Important Rock Work and writes Aunt Lula to say the arrangement isn’t working. Skunk’s quiet nighttime pursuits-reading Shakespeare and contemplating the moon-are harmless. On the bright side, Skunk is a terrific cook, and Badger reluctantly agrees that doing the cleanup afterward is fair … mostly. Illustrated by Jon KlassenĮnjoying a quiet, solitary life in the brownstone owned by Aunt Lula, a pine marten whospeaksveryfast, Badger is dismayed by Skunk’s arrival, battered suitcase in paw, with an invitation from Aunt Lula to stay there, too.

Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake