Skunk and Badger Review and Discussion Questions written by the Hobbit on 2/2/21. This post contains affiliate links, you can find out more on our policies page or in the disclaimer at the bottom of the blog.
Know Before You Read
Book: Skunk and Badger
Author: Amy Timberlake
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Genre: Animal Stories; odd-couple
Pages:124
Published: 2020
Age Suggestion: 8-13
Themes: Opposites; friendship; tolerance; understanding
Quick Summary of Skunk and Badger:
Badger is happily engaged doing his “Important Rock Work” when his life is upended by the arrival of a new roommate, Skunk. Badger is not happy. The two of them are opposites. Can they live together?
Skunk and Badger Review: (Contains Some Spoilers)
The two main characters are, of course, Skunk and Badger. You get to know both well, and I could identify with the changes happening to Badger. The drawings are primarily black and white, with a few spots of color, and are well placed to illustrate the story. Any kid’s book worth reading should be a book that you can go back to as an adult and enjoy. This is that type of book. It does not talk down to its readers, and it has infectious humor. It tells you how much words can hurt – and what needs to be done to heal that sort of hurt – a great lesson for kids.
–Why Read It–
It is fun to read. The book drops in some advanced vocabulary (and lots of information about rocks and chickens). It is funny – some of the situations are hilarious. And it is tender – hearts get changed. Just about everything you want in an early reader book. And it will bring back memories for older readers of animal books from their youth. It is funny and tender, you will be drawn into this story as you wonder “Can these two become friends?”
Nostalgia – Adults reading this to kids and many older readers will see hints of Winnie-The-Pooh and Wind in the Willows. This new, unlikely friends, odd-couple, story is one that will be read to generations of kids. Badger, a geologist, is a bit of a hermit. He is living in a house that belongs to his aunt. His life is upended when his aunt sends him a roommate – Skunk. Skunk is outgoing and can act before thinking – the opposite of Badger. And he brings chickens (lots of chickens!) who further disrupt the “Important Rock Work” Badger is doing.
-Favorite Quotes-
Together the three of them watched as the sky deepened into reds and purples, all of it dissolving into evening blue…”This is better than fireworks,” said Skunk.
Skunk to Badger: “You should read this. Henry V is about two kings who are in a battle. It is an upsetting story, but a good one…and King Henry says interesting things. For instance, King Henry says the fastest way to win a kingdom is by being kind and gentle instead of using cruelty and violence. Do you think that is true?”
Skunk to Badger: “I cook. You clean. It is a law of Nature.”
Skunk and Badger Discussion Questions
- After reading the book what new things do you know about rocks? About chickens?
- Which of the two main characters (Skunk or Badger) are you most like? Why do you think so?
- Have you ever said things to a friend that you later regretted? What did your friend do? What did you do to try and make things better?
- What do you think about storytime? Have you ever been drawn into a story so that you thought you were part of it?
- What lessons did Badger learn? What lessons did Skunk learn?
Final Thoughts: Learning better to live with others is a lesson that many of us good use instruction in, as the past year has shown. Funny and touching, you will remember these two…and want to read more about them.
Awards for Skunk and Badger:
-People Best Book for Kids of 2020
-KirkusReviews Best Children’s Book of 2020
-Booklist Editor’s Choice Book of 2020
-School Library Journal Best Book of 2020
-Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2020
-Shelf Awareness for Readers Best Book of 2020
-New York Public Library Best Book of 2020
-Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2020
If you enjoyed our Skunk and Badger review, check out a few similar posts:
–Owly: The Way Home: A cute graphic novel that is great for young readers to dive into a longer book.
–Cat Kid Review: Join Cat Kid as they learn about creativity through drawing, writing, and other media.
-Dog Man series:
–All of our Dog Man posts:
–Grime and Punishment
–Brawl of the Wild
–Lord of the Fleas
–Fetch 22
–For Whom the Ball Rolls
-And don’t miss Skun’s own muffin recipe too! Amy Timberlake has a lot of fun things related to the book series on her author website!
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