Rock Paper Incisors: A Skunk and Badger Story

Skunk and Badger #3

by Amy Timberlake, Jon Klassen (illustrator)

Shake off the hibernation blues with odd-couple friends Skunk and Badger in this funny and bestselling series, from Amy Timberlake and Jon Klassen!

Skunk and Badger have an easy roommate rhythm—Skunk cooks! Badger cleans!—when they take in two orphaned rat pups, Zeno and Zephyr. Badger is working on an Important Rock Work article for Rock Hound Weekly and needs focus, focus, focus to write it. But how much trouble could two tiny rats really be? Some scheduling, a few strategically placed naps, and all will be well!

But it’s winter, and nothing goes to plan. Hibernation threatens every routine. Articles refuse to write themselves. And rats in the rock room? It will take a North Twist village to raise these rats!

Featuring cozy drawings and full-color pictures by bestselling artist Jon Klassen, Amy Timberlake’s delightfully off-kilter adventure explores the complexity of friendship and the meaning of family in a wintery world where chickens wear parkas and Yard Sheep host spaghetti dinners. And wait! Is that a dinosaur?

Don’t miss Skunk and Badger’s other adventures in:
Skunk and Badger
Egg Marks the Spot

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Animals, Childrens, Humor, Family, Fantasy

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

Amy Timberlake's work has received a Newbery Honor, an Edgar, and a Golden Kite Award. One book was chosen to be a Book Sense Pick, another was reviewed in The New York Times Book Review. Her books have made several "best books of the year" lists, and she loves it whenever her books are chosen to be part of a state reading list. (Thank you!) Chicago's Lifeline Theatre has adapted both One Came Home and The Dirty Cowboy for the stage. She's received residency fellowships from Hedgebrook, and the Anderson Center.

Her most recent book, One Came Home, has been called "a True Grit for the middle school set" by Bookpage, "a valentine to sisterhood and a bird that no longer exists" by The Washington Post, and "a rare gem of a novel" by The Christian Science Monitor.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Out! OUT! OUTSIDE. ALL OF YOU. NOW. I will clean the kitchen. By myself. IN PEACE."

After a rocky start (ha!), Skunk and Badger have worked out their differences and have become great roommates (even friends) in Aunt Lula's brownstone.

Things are not perfect, but they are manageablethat is until an old friend of Skunk shows up with two orphaned rat pups (Zeno and Zephyr) in tow.

And quite suddenly, Skunk and Badger find themselves co-parenting while trying to juggle Chicken Storytime, Important Rock Work, and above all, a once in a lifetime opportunity to write for Rock Hound Weekly.

To put it frank, taking care of two rats is exhausting. The pups are quick, curious, and clever...and above all, energetic with nocturnal tendencies.

Unauthorized nap! Badger reached to shake them awake, but a thought stopped him. He shut the door softly and went to the kitchen to conference with skunk.
"LET THEM SLEEP," skunk said immediately.

Skunk and Badger think they know what's best, soon they find themselves enjoying the young rats. Though, there are quite a few bumps in the road!

Oh my gosh. What an amazing third book for the series. It's very rare that the third book in the series is my favorite...but here we are.

Adding "kids" to a story always seems to be a bit of a tossup when it comes to the story - but I just adored the rat pups. From zip lines in the kitchen to scavenger hunts throughout the house, the young rats were always up to some sort of mischief.

I also loved the character depth and development we see from Skunk and Badger - the way the two of them take on this challenge, do it to the best of their abilities, and come out on top? It was wonderful.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this story and I hope the author is continuing the series!!

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ending to this series (I'm assuming it's the last book... it seemed that way). Great writing and story development. Funny, sweet, and imaginative.

The author uses repetition often as a literary device, which can get a little tiresome if you're reading these books aloud at nighttime, but on the other hand, these books are absolutely perfect for reading aloud because the characters are quite theatrical and (at times) ridiculous.

I imagine Skunk and Badger as as an adorable old gay couple, even though their relationship status is never confirmed.

I'm not sure whether the first book or this third book is my favorite of the series. I really enjoyed how Timberlake wrapped things up nicely in this one... but also... not perfectly. She left a few loose threads to give the reader ample room for pondering and musing.

All in all, I loved this series.

[Victor The Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the third novel featuring our two roommates who have established a great friendship after the first two entries, Skunk and Badger are now facing the challenge of raising a recently orphaned pair of rat pup twins during the snowy season. With the twins’ ever-growing curiosity and rambunctiousness in their home, Badger is facing severe writers’ block on a very important article and Skunk inviting different animals.

There’s definitely more surprises and humor here with an interesting adventure before the end, with the twins Zeno and Zephyr being the fun part of it. Plenty to dig up here than just snow. A (100%/Outstanding)

[Jes Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot express to you how much joy these books bring me. They’re like Frog and Toad for the current generation.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Skunk and Badger. It felt as though I was waiting a long time for this book - I even ordered the US edition, so that I could get my little mittened hands on it quicker. So, although I have loved spending time with them again, it is with a heavy heart as I believe this may be the last.

If you haven't read the two previous books, I urge you to. Especially if you like quirky books. Skunk and Badger are an odd couple; the first book in the series explains how it is that they came to live together, and dare I say it, became friends.

This instalment sees them taking on the care of 2 baby rats. It is fair to say that they don't really know what they have let themselves in for. Badger is trying to complete an article for his beloved rock magazine, but having two baby animals about the house makes it a little harder than it should be.

As with the previous books, there is humour to the tale. Although I have marked it as children's, the humour would go over the heads of younger ones, most likely. Jon Klassen has illustrated the edition, as before. I love his work, I wish there could be more of his illustrations in all of the editions. This instalment really has the message of finding where you belong, and also managing when life brings big transitions along for us. This may sound really daft, but as the partner of someone who has a child (who is now an adult), but no biological children of my own, there were many aspects of this tale which I could relate to. Even their first tale, I found myself relating to Badger as his world changed.

This is a series of books which I will always have on my bookcase. I will go back and re-read them some time in the future. I will just have to remember to buy a little supply of hot chocolate for when I do next settle down with them (whilst reading this one, I found myself buying hot chocolate on my big shop, when I don't usually do this).
Skunk and Badger - I raise my mug of hot chocolate to you. It was a pleasure.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good story containing a skunk, a badger, two baby rats, and an untold number of chickens. It probably told me more about love and opportunities and community than any other book.

[Mar Rose 🧡🤍🩷 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite of the Skunk and Badger books. Such a cozy and sweet read.

[Andrea Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much love for this whole series ❤️📖❄️

[Kevin Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

TERMINAL MERINGUE!

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot get enough of these guys! I love them so much. This will make no sense, out of context, but this sentence, among many others, made me laugh out-loud: “Cold air whooshed as Skunk-in-parka opened the front door.” There are so many odd, funny, seemingly random elements of this—serious amounts of chicken language, a dinosaur who acts like a chicken (well, to be fair, he was adopted by one in book 2), mischievous yet adorable baby rats (can they be adorable?), a bear that just shows up sleeping in the hallway of Skunk and Badger’s brownstone in North Twist, and sweet, befuddled Badger himself. Will he ever find the “focus, focus, focus” that he needs to finish his article for the Rock Hound Weekly? He is an Important Rock Scientist, after all. Easy-Peasy. LOVE THIS SERIES!

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC COPY...This may be my first time reading a Skunk and Badger book but I like what I see so far and it is what I expected when Klassen is the illustrator. Whimsy nature adventures and doses of sarcasm and humor! I like it.

[Claire Smith-Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and Scholastic for my copy, here is my review. I rated it 4.5 so rounded up.

I read this with my 6 year old and we were both captivated by the charming story. This is our first dive into the world of Skunk and Badger but it won't be our last. We loved how the very set lives of the pair were so disrupted by becoming foster parents to the rat siblings Zeno and Zephyr. Their little personalities were so sweet and relatable for my little boy. The innocent mischief they wove throughout the story made us giggle. Badger in particular had a lovely journey in this story, having to very much adapt his set routine around raising rats, managing his and their expectations and juggling his work at the same time. It's a story many parents will find resonates, I know it certainly did for me.

On a personal note I loved reading the story aloud and voicing the chickens was fun! I didn't know there could be that many different chicken breeds!

The story opens on Badger and Skunk agreeing to look after two tiny rats who had the misfortune to lose their mum in the last story. They were offered advice but thought a little routine would be all it took to manage the rats as they quickly grew. It doesn't take long for them all to realise that life will not be the same, routines are all over the place and the rats are insatiably curious and clever, which leads to a little unexpected mischief.

Badger, an important rock scientist, has an article deadline looming and Skunk tries valiantly to deal with day to day normalcy with limited success. They struggle and eventually when all looks lost they finally concede that they need help - thankfully some is close at hand.

It takes a disastrous trip to the sheep spaghetti dinner for everything to really become clear to them.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Rock Paper Incisors is a beautifully written and illustrated book featuring friends Skunk & Badger. Released 14th Oct 2025 by Hachette on their Young Readers imprint, it's 192 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats. Paperback format due out 1st Sept 2026 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links.

This is a rollicking and fun book with surprisingly deep takeaways. Aimed at young readers circa 7-12 years old, there are solid lessons about friendship, personal growth, kindness, boundaries, found family, and learning to work together.

Although ostensibly written as a read-alone for 7-12 year olds, this would also be a superlative choice for a read-along or library circle/activity read (maybe with a question and answer discussion afterwards). It would also be a great choice for a read-to-me adult/child bedtime story. There is also wide scope for some silly voices and sound effects.

Five stars. Charming, original, well written and beautifully illustrated.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Rachel Kokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rock Paper Incisors is a children’s book written by Amy Timberlake and illustrated by Jon Klassen. It is book three in the Skunk and Badger series, and I do recommend reading the other two before reading this one.

Summary: Skunk and Badger are raising two orphaned rats. It’s a lot of work, but Skunk and Badger are a great team.

As the rats grow though, they start to get into EVERYTHING.

Skunk and Badger need a new plan-and it’s going to take everyone pitching in to make it happen!

My Thoughts: I liked this book. The whole series is written for younger kids who are reading but aren’t quite ready for novels yet. There are a few pictures, but not many. The pictures are quite delightful though as they are illustrated by Jon Klassen. Admittedly, that is why I picked up this series to begin with as I love his work!

While I really enjoyed the pictures though, the story is quite wonderful too.

The crazy antics keep the story moving (a bear in the entryway, a dinosaur in the hen house, and house full of chickens), but what I appreciated most was the theme of teamwork throughout this book.

Skunk and Badger look out for each other in such a sweet way, and the community really rallies around them to help raise the rats.

This book is very sweet, and I enjoyed it.

I would like to thank Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

[Roben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another splendid addition to the story of Skunk and Badger!
Badger is his irascible self - focused on his very important rock work and writing his article about Snowball Earth. But there are young rats to take care of - Zeno and Zephyr. Initially Skunk and Badger believe that rearing two young rats will be easy. They are definitely wrong in that assumption. In fact, it takes a village to raise a young rat. One filled with Skunk and Badger and Chickens -- and even bears and dinosaurs!

Badger learns very important things about what is truly worth valuing. And I learned that Snowball Earth is a true theory about ice ages and a catalyst for the the evolution of multicellularity! And were we an actual snowball? Or possibly a slushball? Maybe some day we will know. If Badger continues to do his Very Important Rock work, that is. I do hope there will be more Skunk and Badger tales. They do my heart good.

[Jasen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abandoned as a read aloud for my 10 year old but a cozy, quiet, hygge-flavored read.

“Rock, Paper, Incisors” by Amy Timberlake

Badger crossed his arms. “The Wall of Rocks is arranged alphabetically.”
“Alpha-what?” said Zeno.
Zephyr said: “Why don’t you like rainbows?”
Badger ignored Zephyr and said to Zeno, “Alphabet? For words. For reading.”
Zeno looked at Zephyr. Zephyr shrugged. Zeno raised an eyebrow and circled his tail near his head.
Badger huffed. “Read! You know, when you open a book and someone talks in your head?”
Zephyr’s jaw dropped. “Talking in my head?”
“Does it stop!” Zeno asked in horror.
“Yes! When you close the book!” P.92-93

“When Badger had lived alone, Important Rock Work got done on time. A little hup-hup, some focus-focus-focus was all badger had needed to complete things. Now emotions ran through him: yanking him, turning him, entangling him.” P.159

[Wina · Rating 3 out of 5]

They've lowered the age range for all 3 books to ages 7-10. It still has difficult vocabulary and mature narrative, so the age group is higher than it might look. I don't recall the other two books being filled with sound effects. This would be a great read-aloud for an enthusiastic adult who gives the sounds their proper due. It annoyed me, though, reading it to myself, so I didn't like it as much as the other two. Without the inundation of sounds, I would have liked it just as well. That's from a stuffy old grownup, though. Very enjoyable characters and sweet little story reminiscent of Wind in the Willows in New England. This is perfect for our summer theme of Unearth a Story, because Badger's rock work features prominently again. Great lesson about what's important. Rats come first. Lovely ending.

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A continuation of Skunk and Badger's adventures. Badger has a rock article deadline but is overwhelmed by the responsibilities of raising two young rats with his housemate Skunk. It takes a village to raise these smart rambunctious motherless youth. With the help of their friends the chickens, Badger might just get his article done in the nick of time.

As always, this book like the others in the series offers sophisticated plot and comic moments. Precocious readers of animal stories might like this one, but I recommend reading this series from the beginning and not picking up the books randomly.

[Jill Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children’s Fantasy. The third book in the Badger and Skunk series. It’s winter. Badger is still adjusting to having Skunk, as a roommate. Now they have taken in two young orphan rats, who are very energetic and inquisitive. Badger needs time to write his article for the Rock Journal. He is stressing out. Will he get the article done by the deadline? Will everyday life settle down? Since he is writing an article, he goes through the process of notes, developing an outline, introductory paragraph and editing. Another great installment in the series. Some illustrations. Recommend for grades 3 to 5.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Timberlake gets better and better! This one is on firmer foundation that Egg Marks the Spot, with just as much quirky worry and joy. I love how she brought to kids the difficulties and methods for writing (Badger has an article due.) as well as something much closer to home -- raising kids! Except this is about raising Rats, who grow really fast, so change is the name of the game. So much humor and also tenderness in unexpected places. And thank goodness for chickens!

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this third installment Skunk and Badger have taken over the caregiving duties of two baby rats Zeno and Zephyr. Badger needs to get off an article about his very important rock work, but the two babies, who are growing rapidly and are nocturnal, have become a parenting challenge to our two heroes who continue to persist. Another charming venture and Timberlake uses onomatopoeia to perfection. Perfect bedtime read aloud for 1-3rd graders.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Torn between 3 and 4 stars because I didn't enjoy this as much as the first two books in the series (which I gave 4 stars), but I think it deserves more than 3 stars. I didn't love how irritating the young rats were in the first half of the book, but the book got better as they matured. I wish we got more of a glimpse into the town overall and I'll still absolutely be reading any future installments in this world.

3.5 stars

[Reader50 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters are endearing and they're all kind and generous to one another. Skunk and Badger have their hands full raising a couple of baby rats whose antics made me laugh. I loved the entire cast of characters, chickens, bears, and what a surprise to have the dinosaur from book 2 make an appearance. Just a nice, cozy story for kids and parents alike. The odd collection of animals in one household makes for a loving family.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book in the series of the unlikely friendship of Skunk and Badger who have figured out their life, but now that they have two little rat pups running around to take care of.

It's a bit goofier and more chaotic than I remember from the other skunk and badger story, but endearing nonetheless.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

(more like 3.5 stars) A charming entry in the Skunk and Badger books. In this one the raising of the two wild and rambunctious rats is the main plot. Any adult reading it will relate to the children's demands making it difficult to get other work (Important Rock Work) done. The moments where Badger realizes his love for them is truly touching.

[Cheryl Mwaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful series!!!

My 8 yr old son and I absolutely LOVED this series!!! It was just what I’d been looking for - a longer chapter book with characters you can’t help but adore. We’re both fans of Frog and Toad and if you are too, you’ll really enjoy the Skunk and Badger trilogy.

[Working pups · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book much, it seemed to drag on for a long time, and there were multiple places where they could have ended it, like they could have wrapped up when Badger missed his deadline, but instead they made a scene where Badger and skunk fought. I didn't like this book, I just finished it to finish it.

[Sari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Skunk and Badger. I read this one out of order by accident, but it charmed me all the same. Badger’s experience transitioning to being a parent is so strikingly familiar that I teared up. I think there is no book so welcome in my home and heart as a well-written children’s book. It manages to be both genuinely fun and poignantly insightful.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable reads of the year for me.
It is as much about parenting young children, tempering your ambitions and the division of labour as it is an amusing tale about friendship and cooperation. I wanted to start reading it again as soon as I finished

[Emma Grace Blumer]

Lovely read aloud and can be a nice close to the trilogy or possibly (hopefully!) a bridge to more books!

Don’t love the evolutionary theory subtly sprinkled throughout, but easy to skim over it at least.