I have heart-eyes. I was blown away by how much I enjoyed this! From the narration (perfectly over-the-top and expressive to a near-psychotic level, but in the best way!), to the characters (so complex!) and the meandering storyline (idiosyncratic and unique, but still morals-based), I'm not sure I could have enjoyed this any more than I did.

One of the highest compliments I can pay Skunk and Badger is that even though it's a children's book, it does not underestimate the reader/listener's abilities. The vocabulary is advanced and creative but still fully accessible for the target age group, and both it and the story held my adult attention without missing a beat.

That's special, because honestly, all adults need exceptional children's books in their lives.

Finally, I'm so happy I listened to this first, as I'll have the narrator's superb voices and sound effects in my head when I inevitably buy the physical copy, just to reread it and stare at the beautiful illustrations.

I also now know a lot more about chicken breeds than I did before.

What an absolute joy.

In addition to the audiobook, I was fortunate enough to be granted a digital ARC of the book itself and I was able to appreciate Jon Klassen's simple yet stunning illustrations as I saw skunk and badger learn to cohabitate.

Weird sidetone: When I finished reading this book I turned on the TV to see if I could rewatch one of my favorite shows from the 1990s, China Beach. Part of me wondered if the show had aged well, as I'm finding a lot of old favorites have not. I couldn't find the show on the TV and I sat down to write my review when I chuckled and facepalmed. You see, although narrator Michale Boatman has narrated other books I have read before and appeared in many shows since, Boatman portrayed Pvt. Samuel Becket in China Beach. And so, without warning, this adorable middle school read made me feel very old.

I did not get to review this before it came out but my library did purchase it and I just got the chance to listen to it. I loved the narrator! He was so funny. This book was a cute little read that had some subtle messages about friendship and how you behave with others. Overall very fun and clever, I loved all the characters.

The concept behind this sounded great and I so wanted to enjoy this but unfortunately I just didn’t. Whilst obviously aimed at a younger audience and maybe more appealing to them, I just found the characters unappealing and the story a bit dull. It also didn’t help that it felt so far removed from our experiences here in Australia with such a strong focus on British animals, this can sometimes translate well - but not for me in this case.

At face value, this is a fairly standard odd couple story. Badger is stodgy and particular, valuing his quiet life and hiding a few quirky habits. Skunk is wild and playful, friendly to everyone and constantly making messes and noise. So of course, when they are forced to cohabitate things go poorly. The vocabulary is accessible and the narration deliberate. There are some unexpected elements, like the chickens and their literal ability to appear and disappear. And the final confrontation between Badger and Skunk addresses microaggressions and subtle forms of prejudice.

RATING: 4 STARS
2020; Algonquin Young Readers (Workman Audio)

When the publisher reached out to ask me if I wanted to read Skunk and Badger, I said yes just based on the cover art. I am a fan of Jon Klassen's art, and loved his book I Want My Hat Back. I had not heard of Amy Timberlake but figured there would be some humour and endearing moments if Klassen was attached to it. I did not get a chance to read this as quick as I wanted to (as 2020 was a rough year for planned reading). I noticed that Netgalley had added audiobooks to their request and saw that Skunk and Badger was available on audio. Thank you to Workman Audio, as I enjoyed Michael Boatman's narration of the characters and story. (I would suggest still taking the novel out to see Klassen's artwork). Skunk and Badger remind me of The Odd Couple, with a touch of Ethology/Zoology. This novel is aimed at middle grades.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook and audiobook from the publisher through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

This audiobook was a delight. Michael Boatman voices the characters perfectly, and brings this animal Odd Couple to life. Badger has Ways of doing things, and spends his days doing Very Important Rock Work (I have not seen the physical book, but imagine that these words are capitalized based on the narration). Skunk appears at the door of his brownstone (which is owned by his aunt), and apparently has been given permission to move in. While Badger does enjoy Skunk’s excellent cooking, and Skunk does open up his world, Badger resents the intrusion into his rigid lifestyle. When Skunk commits the ultimate offense, albeit for good reason, Badger cannot take it anymore. Parts of this book are pleasantly predictable, but don’t get too comfortable because there are plenty of surprises and laugh-out-loud moments as well. And so many chickens! I loved the audiobook but very much want to read the print version as well, which is illustrated by Jon Klassen,

One day badger gets a visit from a skunk. It turns out it is not only a visit, but he is staying at badgers. Two very different animals have to live together. The story is very entertaining, and the narration is excellent. A story for children, but I enjoyed it too, even if I'm not a child anymore.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this! All opinions are my own.

First, thank you to NetGalley for a copy of the audio-book in return for an honest opinion. Second, I love this book! In my opinion, the best children's books are entertaining to children and to their grown-ups. Skunk and Badger is serious fun for kids, but I really enjoyed it too. Each character is delightful in their own way- the skunk, the badger, the stoat, and the 100 chickens! In fact, I never knew chickens were so interesting. I also want to say that the narrator of the audio-book was fantastic.

This is a beautiful children's story about friendship, welcome and hospitality. It is also about allowing your life to be enriched by others and learning how to say sorry. This was also really funny and amusing.

When Badger realises that he has to share his Aunt's home with Skunk he is less than pleased. He is so used to having his own space and quiet to study his rocks. His life is just the way he wants it but Skunk's arrival spoils that and suddenly the house is no longer Badger's.

Nooooooooooooooooooooo!

But Skunk is friendly, generous and he can cook. He is also spontaneous and caring of others and is best friends with hundreds of chickens. Needless to say Badger's life and space are turned upside down or maybe right side up depending on how you look at it.

This is an adventure about learning to live with others and the importance of friendship and how we can flourish and grow through friendship.

I loved this audiobook. It was delightful to listen to even though this is for children. Sometimes there are books which appeal to everyone no matter their age and this is one of them.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this.

Audiobook provided by publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Family friendly story for younger listeners/readers. Book reminds me a bit of Winnie the Pooh in it's tone and nuggets of wisdom, so gently given. Story is about two roommates who have very different personalities, habits and lifestyles who nevertheless must share a home. Badger and Skunk have to learn about and manage their own expectations for how to live a good life while sharing their space.
Initially, I was thinking this would be a good middle grade book to add to our library, but while this story offers fabulous opportunities for exploring/discussing science topics, such as geology and quantum energy...as well other topics such as determination, compassion, and how to make an apology; the story and [audiobook] narration would likely not be well received by many students older than 6th grade. I'd love to use this book as a read-aloud with 3-6th grade students in a STEAM or gifted education class.

This is a middle grade, and this is the first book in the Skunk and Badger series. I really enjoyed this book, and the message in this book was really good. The characters in this book was really good, and they where really developed. I really loved the skunk character in this book. The audiobook was really good, and I really love the narrator. I was kindly provided an e-audiobook of this book by the publisher (Algonquin Young Readers) or author (Amy Timberlake) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Badger lives in his Aunt Lula's brownstone, when a skunk suddenly shows up and indicates that Aunt Lula offered to let Skunk move in. Badger was unaware of these plans and immediately believes that it is a bad idea. As expected, Badger does not like Skunk.

I believe that the lesson that the author is trying to teach is about prejudice. Badger does not like Skunk because he is a Skunk. Unfortunately, I did not like Skunk because he is rude and bossy. The ending brings Badger and Skunk together as friends and roommates, however I felt like Skunk was a terrible roommate. Just because Badger realized that he was being prejudice, did not mean that he needed to put up with all of Skunks whims.

I always want books that teach children lessons about tolerance, however this one did not work for me.

Skunk and Badger, first in a new series by Newbery Honor author Amy Timberlake, is an engaging children's story in which Badger, a grumpy geologist, has his life upended by Skunk, a jovial, enthusiastic, if a bit pushy fellow, who quite literally barges into Badger's life and home and announces Aunt Lula (the flighty pine marten who owns the brownstone) is letting Skunk move in with Badger as a favor to her dear friend. Skunk, who enjoys reading Shakespeare, makes himself at home and rearranges things much to Badger's horror. Why Skunk even cooks for breakfast instead of having cold cereal with cold milk! To say it's a rough adjustment for Badger is an understatement, and I haven't even mentioned the chickens and their leader the fancy Orlov. Sooooo many chickens. Did you know that chickens like to consume gravel and that gravel is... gasp... little rocks? Geologists collect rocks. Oh my... But hens can be awfully sweet. Playing off common perceptions of these two distinctive animals, skunks being unwelcome, badgers being grumpy, Timberlake constructs an animal "Odd Couple" scenario full of gentle humor and lessons about making friends. Beautifully illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Jon Klassen, this is a great pick for holiday gifting.

The audiobook is marvelously narrated by actor Michael Boatman and makes for a wonderful experience for young readers who enjoy reading along with an audiobook.

I received a digital review copy and audio review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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

This is such a good story. It teaches that not everyone has to be the same and like the same things. It also teaches patients and that one can change and grow.
The store starts with Skunk arriving at the brownstone where Badger is living. Badger doesn’t like that Skunk is there, but it’s his aunts brownstone and she said Skunk could stay and be a good roommate for Badger. Badger however doesn’t agree. He’s an important rock scientist and needs quiet to concentrate. Skunk is not quiet, in fact he calls chickens to come and visit. After that things just get worse for Badger, but in the end Badger learns an important lesson about friendship.
#skunkandbadger #netgalley #indigoemployee

Badger was a bit too full of himself, he was too much, and skunk well, he was just hilarious. Fabulous, the narrator, he did an awesome job. As I listened, I couldn't stop myself from laughing out loud, in my opinion, this book I can guarantee would put a smile on your child’s face. A truly fun and entertaining book, listening to it was quite enjoyable and very entertaining. The narrator painted a clear and visible picture flowing through my mind as I listen along.

I love books that have animals that have human qualities? This kinda reminds me of Frog and Toad in the kid world and The Odd Couple in the adult world. I would recommend that one should to this on a long trip and a situation where one can listen to the whole thing at once. The relationship of Badger and Skunk is very funny and quirky. Highly recommended.

What a sweet middle grade story, sort of Frog and Toad meet the Odd Couple. There is a lot of rich (and often unstated) world building (what exactly is the relationship between the chickens and mammals? what sort of society is this?) and the two main characters and their quirky interests are a delight. The plot has is a nice example of why kindness is important and selfishness can hurt others and yourself. And rocketpotato is my pick for 2020's breakout character. All in all this was a book that both my kids and I loved.

This one is a bit different from my norm, as Kye and I listened to the audio book version of it. It's tells the tale of two very different stories forced to live together, and shows that friendships can blossom in the most unlikely places.

The narrator was very animated and added in the voices for the animals, which my son loved, as most kids would, I found it a little grating at times, but it could get very loud and anyone who knows me knows I like peace and quiet.

Which is why I related to badger best, while Kye, typical kid, preferred Skunk and all his mayhem. It's a great little book for teaching kids about differences and compromise though and It had Kye laughing throughout. So I do think it's a book/audio book that most kids would enjoy, and as that is the intended market. I give this one 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amy TImberlake, and her publishers for allowing us a free recording of this, in exchange for an honest review.