Reviews
"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 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, "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 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, "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 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 "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 "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 for the Center of Children's Books, "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 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 "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 for the Center of Children's Books, "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, "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 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