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Skunk and Badger by Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Jon Klassen   {Reviewed by STELLA} No one wants a skunk as a flatmate. Badger lives alone in his Aunt Lula’s brownstone in the township of North Twist. He’s happy doing his Important Rock Work and he does not need any distractions or companions. When a polite knock at the door disturbs his deliberations (rock or mineral?), Badger is not overly impressed to be greeted by a skunk with a small suitcase held together with red twine. Skunk has been invited to live in Aunt Lula’s house and somehow (the Important Rock Work keeps Badger from opening mail) Badger has overlooked the memo. Hmmm. Badger offers Skunk the guest closet in the hall, but Skunk has other ideas and finds a spare room on the second floor — just perfect to be the Moon Room. But that was Badger’s box room! Well, maybe he doesn’t need that many boxes and a few can surely be stored in the guest closet, suggests Skunk. Maybe this will just be overnight, ponders Badger — he must tell Aunt Lula that it is most inconvenient and Skunk is not compatible, with his energetic banter (even though Badger is quite taken with their conversation about Shakespeare’s Henry V) and active padding around the house. To quieten his mind that night Badger gets out his treasured Ukulele, plings a few cords and settles down to sleep intent on resolving this situation in the morning. Awakening to a delicious smell wafting up the stairs, Badger has the most excellent breakfast (usual morning meal: cold cereal with milk) — Skunk is quite the chef. Yet he does create a lot of dishes. Time for Badger to get down to his day’s exploration in his Rock Room. There’s a problem. Skunk likes chickens and he’s invited them over, by blowing his chicken whistle, for storytime. All types of hens like stories, especially tales about Chicken Little. Badger finds out he quite likes them too! Maybe this could be okay, but there are an awful lot of chickens roosting in his Rock Room. And what about that hasty letter to Aunt Lula — well, really Skunk can’t stay, can he? Things come to a head when Badger gets a telegram delivered by Speedy Stoat Delivery. Stoat is very keen to have a chicken, but Skunk will protect them all — they are free hens and belong to no one! Skunk will use his best weapon. Badger will find his actions intolerable. When they part ways, it’s not long until Badger regrets his bad behaviour and goes searching for Skunk. This is a delightful storybook about two odd fellows who will find delight in each other’s company despite their differences, and Skunk will open Badger’s eyes to the world around him. You’ll love Skunk immediately and warm to the foolish (yet very smart) but sentimental Badger before the book is finished. There’s more to come in the adventures of Skunk and Badger, with a trilogy planned. A charming junior chapter book rich in humour and pathos, with excellent illustrations from Jon Klassen.