Amy Timberlake's novels for young readers have received an
Edgar Award, a Golden Kite Award, the China Times Best Book Award,
and the Newbery Honor for One Came Home. She grew up in Hudson,
Wisconsin, but now calls Chicago home. She is a graduate of Mount
Holyoke College, and holds an MA in English and Creative Writing
from the University of Illinois. You can find her walking on
Chicago's Lakefront Trail on cool, crisp fall days.
Jon Klassen is a Canadian-born author-illustrator. His books
include I Want My Hat Back; This Is Not My Hat, winner of the
Caldecott Medal; We Found A Hat; and The Skull. Jon is also the
illustrator of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and The Dark
by Lemony Snicket, among many others. He is a member of the Order
of Canada in recognition of his contributions to children's
literature. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two
sons. Find him online at imjonklassen.com.
People Best Book for Kids * Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book *
Booklist Editor's Choice * School Library Journal Best Book *
Publishers Weekly Best Book * Shelf Awareness for Readers Best Book
* New York Public Library Best Book * Chicago Public Library Best
Book * Amazon Top 20 Best Children's Books * Indigo Best Book of
the Year * Evanston Public Library Great Kids Book * 2021 Capitol
Choices Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens Selection "Wordy
fun, with laugh-out-loud dialogue...this book defies age grouping.
Anyone who has shared a living space -- with siblings, classmates
or grown adults -- can relate to this witty and whimsical tale...
Lovers of rocks and chickens, and nerds of all stripes, will crack
a smile...Scratchy yet sophisticated ink drawings by the Caldecott
Medal winner Jon Klassen add warmth to the already cozy text...they
give this handsomely designed book the look and feel of a
classic."
--The New York Times Book Review "Curmudgeonly Badger is not amused
when Skunk moves in. Endearing comedy ensues."
--People "Gloriously complemented by Jon Klassen's meticulous
illustrations, Skunk and Badger has the feel of a bygone era while
telling a completely modern (and delightful) story of how hard
change can be, and how worth it change is."
--NPR * "A splendid entry in the odd-couple genre, Timberlake's
spunky series opener posits that compassion and inner
transformation can strengthen the unlikeliest of friendships. It's
an approach that gestures toward broader societal conversations
(consider the word that prompts Skunk to leave: "vermin") without
losing focus on the story's delightful central duo. The use of
fragmented sentences, repetition, and onomatopoeia makes for a fun
read. Klassen's muted, wistful artwork, meanwhile, invokes sweeping
sentiments during key events. Exceptionally sweet."
--Kirkus Reviews, starred review * "Newbery Honor Book author
Timberlake doesn't underestimate her readers, unhesitatingly
incorporating advanced vocabulary and probing Badger's inner
turmoil... Klassen contributes a winning mix of vintage-feeling
color paintings and black-and-white drawings, which highlight both
the story's sweet and laugh-out-loud moments, as well as its
understated quirk. It's a treasure of a book that promises future
misadventures from your new favorite odd couple."
--Booklist, starred review * "Art by Caldecott Medalist Klassen
offers Wind in the Willows wistfulness. Gleeful, onomatopoeic prose
by Newbery Honoree Timberlake, meanwhile, keeps readers engaged
through laugh-out-loud repetition as she tackles sensitive issues
such as elitism, exclusivity, and even science cited for nefarious
purposes. Frog and Toad-like in nuance and tenor, this is no
old-fashioned story in which Skunk charms Badger and thaws his
frozen heart. Badger is in a privileged position, and his refusal
to share what he has and to protect Skunk and his guests has a deep
and timely significance--one rendered with an expertly light
touch."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review "Clear themes of tolerance,
friendship, and understanding drive the story in a way that
children will respond to. The subtle nod to unemployment and
potential homelessness that begins the story provides opportunities
to expand learning and compassion. Overall, a sweet unlikely
friendship story that would be a welcome addition to any elementary
or public library."
--School Library Journal * "Amy Timberlake writes with whimsical
humor reminiscent of A.A. Milne, Arnold Lobel and Kenneth Grahame,
which is reinforced by Jon Klassen's splendid illustrations. [A]
charming, funny and touching trilogy opener."
--Shelf Awareness, starred review "In Skunk and Badger, Amy
Timberlake has created a wonderful world . . . The characters are
so lovingly drawn, and the world they inhabit so vivid. Lovers of
Winnie the Pooh stories and The Wind in the Willows will find a
contemporary story in the same vein. The book ends on just the
right note and readers can hope for more adventures with this
mismatched pair. Like George and Martha and Frog and Toad, Skunk
and Badger feel like literary friends with many pages of stories to
tell."
--New York Journal of Books "Reminiscent of Lobel's Frog and Toad
stories... Klassen's black and white art is finely lined with
intricate detail and rich shading, calibrating to the story's
classic feel but maintaining a modern edge. Readers graduating from
Lobel's work but still looking for a good animal buddy story will
find it with Skunk and Badger."
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A charming tale
with gorgeous illustrations to match. The unlikely friends story is
one that many will appreciate and enjoy, with plenty of nostalgia
for older readers. We all remember being read to sleep with
wonderful stories, and who is to say we don't deserve it as adults
too? Underneath the cosy atmosphere of Timberlake and Klassen's
creation is a deep, thought-provoking children's book that doesn't
talk down to younger readers. It is a surefire fall treat."
--Bookstr "Amy Timberlake has written a laugh-out-loud funny book
for younger middle graders that puts a fresh spin on the old trope
of learning the importance of friendship. The writing is terrific
and so funny. The delightful illustrations by Jon Klassen are a
nice addition to the story. Kids will love this one, as will anyone
who gets hold of it."
--Manhattan Book Review "Kids will love the humor in this book, as
the two of them learn to adjust to one another's peccadilloes and
become friends. Hint: you'll love it, too."
--Philadelphia Tribune "Somewhere east of 'Frog and Toad' and west
of 'The Odd Couple' live Skunk and Badger, as mismatched a pair of
musteloids as you'll ever find in North Twist...Jon Klassen's
full-color plates and spot black-and-white illustrations give Skunk
and Badger an old-fashioned appearance in the right kind of
way...You will learn a little about rocks and chickens while
reading this book. More importantly, you will learn about the
delicate art of working things out with the people you live with, a
timely lesson for many of us cooped up together during the COVID-19
pandemic."
--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Skunk and Badger is everything I want
in an early reader book: madcap silliness, fun science facts about
geology and chickens, and a heartfelt lesson about the mistakes
Badger makes on a bumpy road to friendship with Skunk and Lead him
to reckoning atonement. Also, Jon Klassen's artwork is
beautiful."
--The San Diego Union Tribune"...Both an entertaining solo read for
emerging readers and a lively read-aloud for younger kids.
Caldecott Medalist Jon Klassen's occasional illustrations add yet
more pizazz to a story rich with humor and heart."
--Washington Parent "A delightful, witty tale . . . Middle grade
readers will be enthralled by the funny, precise portrait of two
distinct personalities coming together in an unlikely but durable
bond of friendship."
--Midwest Book Review "Fresh and warm as a waffle. More,
please!"
-- Adam Rex, New York Times best-selling author of The True Meaning
of Smekday and School's First Day of School "A gently brilliant
book by Amy Timberlake. Skunk and Badger reads like a classic yet
couldn't be more timely, and is one of those books that you want to
start rereading as soon as you reach the end. Jon Klassen's art is
fabulous and perfectly suited to the text."
--Jarrett Lerner, author of EngiNerds and Geeger the Robot Goes to
School
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