Prose (Story): The Odd Couple meets Winnie the Pooh when an uptight, workaholic badger, whose life revolves around being a Rock Scientist and being left alone, has his life and home upended when he's forced to take in a roommate ... the sociable, talkative, friendly, chicken-loving(!) Skunk.
Don's (Review): Badger lives in a big, two-story brownstone rent-free courtesy of his Aunt Lula, who owns the building. He lives alone and spends his days doing his important Rock Science work, eating the same cereal every day, his life one of orderliness and quiet. That is, until he ignores a few of Aunt Lula's letters letting him know she's also okayed the outgoing, boisterous, very social Skunk to share the brownstone with him, which Badger has no clue about until the affable Skunk shows up at his door, suitcase in hand. Left with no choice, the duo become roommates, Skunk soon getting on every one of Badger's nerves, even as he also introduces the staid Badger to things like a hot, homemade breakfast ... and chickens. Many, many chickens. Award-winning author Amy Timberlake has fashioned a sweet, funny story about tolerance and friendship, creating two very different characters readers of all ages will grow to love and root for, even as they sort of get on each other's nerves. Having read an advanced copy, my only caveat to the book was I was hoping for more of Jon Klassen's beautifully-rendered, Pooh-like black-and-white and color artwork throughout, but have since learned that readers buying the hardbound version of the finished novel will indeed be treated to a beautifully-bound copy with amazing art under the book jacket, and even more full-color plates and black-and-white illustrations inside - so you can bet I will be getting mine, as the artwork is fabulous, fitting the story to perfection. Timberlake has really done a masterful job of creating two main characters who at times are both easy to understand, while at times you can also see how each could be frustrating to the other's lifestyle - much like the real world, where you take people (and animals) as you find them, adapting yourself to their pluses and minuses and accepting them for who they are, if they are to be part of your world. And when things come to a head and Skunk moves out after a very unfortunate - and smelly - accident, by then as a reader you're so invested in these two wonderful animals, you hope that acceptance is a lesson the normally stodgy, disagreeable Badger will learn, as well. 4.5/5 stars
NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
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