What do you think?
Rate this book
Skunk and Badger #3
Rock Paper Incisors
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
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
160 pages, Audiobook
Published October 14, 2025
29 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Amy Timberlake
9 books195 followersAmy 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 3, 2025
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.
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.
December 7, 2025
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)
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)
October 15, 2025
I cannot express to you how much joy these books bring me. They’re like Frog and Toad for the current generation.
November 19, 2025
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.
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.
January 8, 2026
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.
January 3, 2026
This was my favorite of the Skunk and Badger books. Such a cozy and sweet read.
December 29, 2025
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!
September 7, 2025
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.
December 4, 2025
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.
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.
December 23, 2025
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!
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!
November 15, 2025
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.
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.
January 6, 2026
As good as I knew it would be! Even better, actually. This felt like the funniest and best structured of the set of books, with just the best drawings of Zeno and Zephyr, every time.
I’ve been waiting for this final book of the trilogy since early last year, and I’m so happy it finally came out and lived up to my expectations. Can’t even count on one hand the number of times that’s ended up happening!
Still, I’m sad that the series is coming to an end - and the book reads like that as well, tying up loose ends and finishing on a good note. I’ll be rereading them for a long time to come!
I’ve been waiting for this final book of the trilogy since early last year, and I’m so happy it finally came out and lived up to my expectations. Can’t even count on one hand the number of times that’s ended up happening!
Still, I’m sad that the series is coming to an end - and the book reads like that as well, tying up loose ends and finishing on a good note. I’ll be rereading them for a long time to come!
November 25, 2025
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!
December 19, 2025
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.
November 28, 2025
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.
It's a bit goofier and more chaotic than I remember from the other skunk and badger story, but endearing nonetheless.
December 29, 2025
(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.
November 28, 2025
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
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
Read
December 5, 2025Lovely 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.
Don’t love the evolutionary theory subtly sprinkled throughout, but easy to skim over it at least.
December 7, 2025
Skunk and Badger's friendship continues to deepen as they raise the two baby rats orphaned in their last adventure. With a Wind in the Willows vibe, this will make a great family read aloud. The philosophizing may appeal more to adults while young readers will love the chicken humor.
December 29, 2025
Another fun tale with Skunk and Badger! This time, there's a lot of fun writing deadline angst for Badger, as well as two baby rats who create a lot of havoc. A sure fire hit with kids, with great escapades and illustrations by Klassen.
December 29, 2025
This book is adorable. I like how Amy Timberlake uses language to communicate sound, but sometimes it made it hard for me to follow the story. All in all though, extremely delightful and a great bedtime read aloud.
December 30, 2025
A heartwarming story set in winter with Badger and Skunk, and the newly orphaned rats whom they’ve kindly started to raise. They quickly find out that rats are a handful, leading to silly adventures along the way. I haven’t read the first two and I still enjoyed this story.
October 18, 2025
This is the third in a charming series of books about Badger, Skunk and their adventures. I recommend them for anyone over the age of eight who loves books about clever animals and chickens.
November 1, 2025
Badger & Skunk are STILL ROOMMATES!
but now have 2 children to raise.
I hope their adventures continue.
Love the illustrations!
but now have 2 children to raise.
I hope their adventures continue.
Love the illustrations!
November 4, 2025
Another delightful story in this series!
December 14, 2025
Another excellent addition to the Skunk and Badger series which reminds me of Frog and Toad. Enjoyable for kids and their adults.
December 15, 2025
I love Skunk and Badger! I smile the whole way through every book.
January 2, 2026
Another delightful installment of the kind, cozy, hilarious world of Skunk and Badger. It's a book adults and kids of almost any age can read together and enjoy. Amy Timberlake creates a pocket of time into which anyone would want to burrow. A fitting conclusion to the trilogy.
December 17, 2025
Not sure why I can't find the book edition but whatever. Hilarious (for lack of a better word) hi-jinx will elicit laugh-tears from even the most stoic kids. I mean, BABY RATS GONE WILD?!
But I also recommend this as the perfect passive-aggressive book for those annoying childless adults who insist that if *they* were the parent (of xxxx), they'd know exactly what to do to make said child the most well-behaved kid on the.block.
But I also recommend this as the perfect passive-aggressive book for those annoying childless adults who insist that if *they* were the parent (of xxxx), they'd know exactly what to do to make said child the most well-behaved kid on the.block.
December 9, 2025
The third instalment of Skunk & Badger's odd-couple household sees the two friends becoming adopted parents to two chaotic baby rats.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews