Egg Marks the Spot (Skunk and Badger 2), by Amy Timberlake
(Algonquin Young Readers)
I adored the introduction of Skunk and Badger (
Skunk and Badger), at first
unwilling housemates, who become fast friends. Badger is a fussy,
hyper-organized Important Rock Scientist who resents any interruption of his
routine, while Skunk is expansively friendly, speaks to cryptic chickens, and
cooks gourmet meals. Skunk’s one obsession is the
New Yak Times Book Review. That’s really all a reader needs to know
before embarking upon their next adventure: a camping trip. The trip proceeds
along hilarious lines, with Badger calculating the exact weight of every
multi-purpose article in his neatly organized pack, and Skunk throwing in pots
and pans, fresh produce, and other items on which usefulness he and Badger
disagree profoundly. This, then, is the essence of their friendship: how the
differences supply each other’s blind spots.
Needless to say, the camping trip quickly takes several
unexpected turns with an obnoxious bully from Badger’s past, an incredible find
in a cave, the secret mission of chickens, a bivalve moving company, and much,
much more. The characters are endearing, the action lively, the prose
deliciously inventive, and the deeper themes of friendship, loyalty, and
courage shine through.
A splendid book for the whole family to read aloud!
No comments:
Post a Comment