Skunk and Badger (vuoden 2020 painos)

Narrated by Michael Boatman. In this odd couple tale, Skunk shows up at Badger's doorstep, at the behest of Badger's Aunt Lula. Badger, who had no idea that Skunk was coming to stay with him, isn't exactly welcoming, putting Skunk up in the closet. Badger is a studious rockhound, particular about how things are done. Skunk hangs out with chickens and whips up a mean breakfast; his presence sprawls across the townhome. Can Skunk and Badger find common ground? Boatman performs broadly, almost cartoon-like, which young listeners may enjoy. ( )

If you know a child (grades 2-5 or 39+) who loved Frog and Toad and needs a more grown-up version....here it is. I absolutely loved this story of two mismatched lodgers in Aunt Lula's brownstone with their quirky habits and seemingly irreconcilable differences, who find they really don't want to live without one another. Chickens also enter into it. Fantastic. ( )

This year I've read a few books in this genre, for the - middle reader/children. I'm not really sure what a middle reader is, I would call it a chapter book, aimed at those young readers who are comfortable reading alone and branching out into longer, more grownup books. Skunk and Bagder are the typical odd couple, complete opposites who find themselves trying to share a house. Badger does very important work with rocks and Skunk has chicken friends, lots of chicken friends. Yes they speak, except for the chickens, they only bock. Yes they eat breakfasts of waffles and fried potatoes and drink breakfast hot chocolates, but that's okay. The story is a delight. It's all about what makes friends friends and life important. ( )

Fun, quick read delightful narrator! A book about friendship and learning to live with others. Lots to learn without you noticing. Very enjoyable! ( )

Set-in-his-ways Badger lives in his Aunt Lula's brownstone in North Twist, where he does Very Important Rock Work. His work - and his life - is interrupted by the arrival of a stranger, Skunk, who is to be his new roommate. Skunk is excited, but Badger is resistant to change. Skunk has his charms, certainly - he cooks a delicious breakfast, for one thing - but his interruptions and changes are intolerable for Badger. Skunk - and his chickens - must go!

A book with a unique sensibility; like if Frog and Toad had a before-they-were-friends prequel (but middle grade, not early reader).

See also: The Adventures of Miss Petitfour by Anne Michaels

Quotes

But first...there was the beginning. There was the asking of the first question. Badger liked the beginning. At the beginning, he cleared the clutter of assumptions and guesses from his mind. He opened himself up to any possibility, and asked the question. (35)

"Gentle and kind is the way I would like the world to be. I hope it will be that way. But Badger, if it were true that kindness and gentleness were the best way to win a kingdom - or win anything at all - wouldn't everyone do it? Not everyone is gentle and kind. Even I myself find it hard to be kind and gentle. Sometimes I get mad. Also, I am a small animal, and being small is difficult." (Skunk to Badger, 47) ( )