Skunk and Badger

Amy Timberlake’s novels for young readers have received a Newbery Honor, an Edgar Award, a Golden Kite Award, and the China Times Best Book Award. 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; and We Found A Hat. 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.

"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

"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