Badger's Fancy Meal

by Keiko Kasza

When apples, worms and roots become unbearably boring, Badger sets off to find more exciting food—but he can’t quite catch the main ingredients. Badger keeps searching until in frustration he shouts: “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!” Unfortunately, a nearby horse doesn’t think that is so funny. Keiko Kasza, a master at surprise twists on the last page, includes clever panels to show what happens to the animals who escape Badger’s grasp, allowing kids to be in on the satisfying way they unwittingly get back at their tormentor.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Food, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Keiko was born on a small island in the Inland Sea of Japan. She grew up in a typical Japanese extended family with her parents, two brothers, and grandparents. Uncles, aunts, and cousins also lived nearby. She came to the United States in 1973 to continue her education, and in 1976 she graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in graphic arts from California State University at Northridge.
While working as a graphic designer, Keiko read Leo Lionni’s masterful work, Frederick, and she became interested in picture books. She began experimenting with picture books in her free time. Her first book was published in 1981 in Japan and thereafter she continued to publish in her native language. The Wolf’s Chicken Stew, a 1987 ALA notable book and the winner of the 1989 Kentucky Bluegrass Award, was her first work to be published in the United States. She has now published 22 books and her work is translated into 16 languages.

Keiko compares the process of creating a book to acting on stage under the lights: “I become the character that I’m working on at that moment. I pretend that I’m a bird looking for a mother, or a pig trying to impress his girlfriend. When I’m acting, I’m a child myself.” Her ambition is not to create a hundred books but to create one really good book that will be kept on the bookshelves for generations (although a hundred good books would be even better, of course!)

Keiko Kasza lives in Bloomington, Indiana with her husband, a professor of Japanese politics at Indiana University, and they have two sons.

Reviews

[Samantha Martinez]

Traditional Literature is the oral tradition of telling a story. In the modern world, books are more easily available so we have traditional literature in books. One subgenre of traditional literature is fables. Badger’s Fancy Meal by Keiko Kasza is a fable because it is a story that teaches a lesson of being grateful for what one has. This story has great descriptive imagery and is paired nicely with detailed illustrations. For example, Badger fins a mole and dreams about how delicious it would be in a taco shell which he describes and the illustration shows an appetizing mole taco. The illustrations also use a unique method that splits the page and makes it look like the page is turning with the different illustrations. This fable also uses literary devices to tell the story such as “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” which then gets Badger into trouble when a horse overhears. This use of literary devices familiarized the students with literary devices and is a fun play on words within the story.

[Adric Rangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente cuento infantil... Este animalito por no valorar lo que tenía se quedó con lo que después ya no tendría...

[Mandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny book on contentment 😊💜

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book about a badger who decides his meals aren't good enough. Love the ending!

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one. A well told narrative, great art, and a nice little life lesson. Fun to read to my boys.

[Rebecca Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Log #3
Title: Badger’s Fancy Meal
Author: Keiko Kasza
Illustrator: Keiko Kasza
Genre: Fable
Theme(s): Triumph of the underdog
Opening line/sentence: Badger’s den was full of food, but he was not happy.
Brief Book Summary: A badger is unhappy with the food he has in his den. He leaves his den to seek other animals for food which he fails. When he returned, he found his food to be all stolen by the animals he tried to catch.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
• Name of Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
• Name of Source: Children’s Literature
• Link to source: http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...
• Short blurb from the review:
• Badger is tired of the same old food in his den. But when he sets out to catch something fancy, like a mole for a taco with salsa, he finds the mole to be too slippery a target. His attempt at a rat burger is also frustrated, as is that for a rabbit banana split. Each time, his quarry finds a perfect place to hide. Furious and hungry, Badger screams that he could eat a horse, but a nearby horse just kicks him up and away back into his own den. There, to his surprise, he finds his food gone and, in its place, a thank-you note from mole, rat, and rabbit. For as we have seen in peel-away pages in the illustrations, the perfect place they found to hide has been his den. The visual humor requires Badger to be omnivorous. Kasza uses multiple naturalistic gouache images to portray the sequence of events. The main part of the double pages shows him stalking the small animals. In the corner, we see his tasty dish wish. But it is on the other corner as the page curls that we can spot the escaping prey going into his den for their vegetarian treats. Justice triumphs. 2007, G.P. Putnam s Sons/Penguin Young Readers Group, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8.
• (PUBLISHER: G. P. Putnam's Sons (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2007.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
• Name of Reviewer: Not mentioned
• Name of Source: Publishers Weekly
• Link to source: http://www.clcd.com.ezaccess.librarie...
• Short blurb from the review: Kasza’s (The Dog Who Cried Wolf) wittily ironic tale introduces a peckish critter who, viewing the cache of food in his den, wryly observes, “Apples, worms and roots... same old, same old,” and longs for “a fancy meal for a change.” After abandoning his underground digs to search for tastier treats, Badger spies a mole. He envisions the small animal wedged in a taco shell, accompanied by a bowl of salsa, and declares, “Now, that’s what I call a fancy meal!” But the fast-moving mole dives into a hole, “a perfect place to hide.” Similarly, a rat that Badger imagines nestled on a hamburger bun “smothered in cheese sauce” and a rabbit he visualizes as the centerpiece in a banana split also escape down the hole. In an effective visual twist, each of Badger’s prey is pictured disappearing into Badger’s den and feasting on his scorned victuals on pages that appear to curl at the corner, creating comic split-action scenarios. This well-crafted device also reveals the three sated creatures exiting Badger’s hole as he hurtles through the air toward it (having just been kicked by a horse outraged by Badger’s statement that he is hungry enough to eat one). The humiliated—but still ravenous—Badger finds a note from his visitors, thanking him for the fancy meal and signed with three tiny paw prints. Kasza’s perky narrative and cleverly designed gouaches entertain while delivering a worthy message about being grateful for what one has. Ages 4-up. (May)
• (PUBLISHER: G. P. Putnam's Sons (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2007.)

Response to Two Professional Reviews: I agree with the two professional reviews that this book contains hidden twists in the illustrations. The witty use of twists adds entertainment and sparks interest to keep on reading. It has a simple storyline, but the illustrations definitely add a lot of humor to the book.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: According to Molly Bang’s Picture This!, the corners of the pages are like the outside or near the outside of our world. They are not easily spotted or the center of our attention. The effective use of these corners makes this book so interesting and fun.
Consideration of Instructional Application: After a read aloud, students can reenact this story as a play. Students will have to be careful not to be caught by the badger but noticeable enough to be seen by the audience. A well-designed play would be helpful for students.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm enjoying a Keiko Kasza book splurge. Her illustrations are so clever and well done.
Badger is having an unhappy day. He is hungry, but not for the same-old, same-old food that he has on hand. He keeps spotting animals, picturing them as different meals, but they keep escaping before he can catch them. Each time the animals escape by taking a large jump and landing in a hole. ( I love the way she figured out how to show that hole hiding place and keeping badger clueless as to its whereabouts, but letting the reader in on the secret.) Finally, badger get SO ANGRY he screams, "I am so hungry I could eat a horse!" Along comes a horse and puts badger in his place by kicking him and sending him into the very hole that the other animals descended into. Thankfully, the other animals had just left. What a day, exclaims Mole, I think I will just stay home and eat the good food I have here. But when he looks for it, he discovers that his food is all eaten and a note is left explaining that they had to hole up because of a nasty badger who wanted to eat them and thank you for the food.
Go back a few pages where the animals are writing the note. Do you think they knew whose food they were eating? Nice payback!

[Coralie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was kind of fun. It doesn't rhyme, but there is some repetition and the story is easy to follow. The illustrations were colorful and the story was quick. The end was kind of ironic, but also a bit of a downer in my opinion. I probably wouldn't seek this one out to purchase, but I have no particular qualms with it.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not a favorite, but it's got some humor and a good lesson about being happy with what you have, and about treating others well. And even a bit of unintended revenge for the little animals! I wasn't a fan of the "turned page" artistic effect. Just a little too busy on the page, though it was important to see what else was going on away from Badger.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute story and fun to read. The illustrations are excellent, full of expression and humour. Badger was tired of the same old roots and worms and apples. He went searching for a fancy meal, but each time he thought he found it. it escaped him. The reader gets to see what happens along the way - what Badger does not notice - which all leads to a funny ending.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Badger is tired of the same old meal and goes to search for a new fancy one. It doesn't work out. He ends up at home but now his food there is gone. Teaching us to be content with what we have.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!!! Being kind is the better route!

[Lacy | literary_lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that my kids enjoyed okay. It wasn’t a huge hit, but it was an okay read. Probably won’t be one we read al the time.

[Crystal Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a funny story that reminds you of the saying--- one man's trash is another man's treasure. I highly recommend it.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever story. Love the way it unfolds and the way the underlying story plays out in the art with the rolled page in the corners. Very creative!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be thankful for what you have.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is really good! The art is good too!! I highly recommend it!

[Megan Gallagher]

Title: Badgers Fancy Meal
Author: Keiko Kasza
Illustrator : Keiko Kasza
Genre: Fable
Theme(s): Food, Hunting, Eating, Animals, Appreciation, Greed, Consistency
Opening line/sentence : Badger’s den was full of food, but he was not happy.
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words):
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, May 1, 2007 (Vol. 103, No. 17))
Badger looks at the apples, roots, and worms stored in his den, but he yearns for a fancy meal. He pursues, but narrowly misses, main ingredients for three potential dishes: mole taco, rat burger, and rabbit-banana split. During each chase, the smaller animals escape and dive into a nearby hole, which turns out to be their near-predator's den. When Badger returns to his den, he finds a note from his three visitors, thanking him for the feast of apples, roots, and worms. The pictures of cute critters in a taco shell, a bun, and an ice-cream dish are enough to create a new generation of vegetarians, but it's all in good fun. Kasza makes good use of an unusual technique in two dimensions, folding back the page on the scene featuring Badger to show what is happening simultaneously in his den. Confident, sometimes comical ink drawings are brightened with colorful washes. Not a must-have picture book but a good choice for larger collections. Category: Books for the Young--Fiction. 2007, Putnam, $16.99.
(PUBLISHER: G. P. Putnam's Sons (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2007.)

Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)
Badger is tired of the same old food in his den. But when he sets out to catch something fancy, like a mole for a taco with salsa, he finds the mole to be too slippery a target. His attempt at a rat burger is also frustrated, as is that for a rabbit banana split. Each time, his quarry finds a perfect place to hide. Furious and hungry, Badger screams that he could eat a horse, but a nearby horse just kicks him up and away back into his own den. There, to his surprise, he finds his food gone and, in its place, a thank-you note from mole, rat, and rabbit. For as we have seen in peel-away pages in the illustrations, the perfect place they found to hide has been his den. The visual humor requires Badger to be omnivorous. Kasza uses multiple naturalistic gouache images to portray the sequence of events. The main part of the double pages shows him stalking the small animals. In the corner, we see his tasty dish wish. But it is on the other corner as the page curls that we can spot the escaping prey going into his den for their vegetarian treats. Justice triumphs. 2007, G.P. Putnam s Sons/Penguin Young Readers Group, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8.
(PUBLISHER: G. P. Putnam's Sons (New York:), PUBLISHED: c2007.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both reviews discuss the peel away/fold back pages as a creative way Kasza to show two things going on at the same time. One review states that it is in fact “not a must-have picture book but a good choice for larger collections.” Although this book is unique in the way it is designed I do not think it is a must have book. The reviews failed to mention the inappropriate storyline, which is something I wish they pointed out.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: The illustrations and use of peel away pages is different and a great way for young readers to interact with a text. I believe the plot and the theme of the story is inappropriate for young readers. Reading a story about an animal hunting others and possibly being eaten is not a first choice for young learners. The mood of the story is therefore unsettling and gloomy because of the plot.
Consideration of Instructional Application : I personally would not choose this book for my classroom. If need be I would use this in a Kindergarten classroom. I would bring in interactive plastic props of food and have students create their own favorite meals and “cook” it. Children could take it a step further and create a call menu. Children can also come up and peel back the pages themselves as they interact with the text.

[Tanya · Rating 1 out of 5]

I see how it can be cute, but instead it feels mean to me. I like the artwork which features what looks like curled page corners to reveal another line of action going on.

The little animals get revenge on the Badger but don't even know it, so the moral is be mean and you will get your just punishment, and the "punishers" are blameless because they do not know it. Oh, yes, there is another mean animal who kicks badger. And in the end, the little animals getting revenge eat all the food of (what to them is) an unknown animal and then leave a thank you note for invading its home and eating its food! NOthing in that note about replacing the food -- because it is the mean old Badger, but the little animals don't know that!

[Heather B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I picked up on the children's recommended books at the public library. The book is about a badger who wanted a better food for his meal rather than his usual meal of fruit, vegetables and roots. He decided to go out and find a fancier meal of mole tacos and rat bugers, but kept losing out. I like the illustrations because they were appealing, simple and reminded me of watercolor. I thought of two different morals that could be interpreted for this story: 1)to eat your healthier foods and 2) appreciate what you already have. I think this book could be enjoyed to pretty broad range of children, but I think it would be better suited for Kindergarten through 2rd grade. Published 2007.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my 3-year old granddaughter and both of us loved it. The story is cute and the illustrations very clever. Badger is tired of eating the same old things every day and goes out in search of a "fancy" meal. He imagines a mole, a rat, and a rabbit as yummy delicacies but when he tries to catch each one it gets away and finds a good hole to hide in. The illustrations tell what the text does not and we see where mole, rat and rabbit are hiding and what they are doing. My only negative remark would be that the author refers to the badger's "hands" and I would have preferred the word "paws."

[Mariarosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story with a funny lesson.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Badger is tired of his normal food of apples, worms, roots and other stuff. He sets out to find something more interesting. However after being out-witted by a mole, a rat, a rabbit and being kicked by a horse, Badger decides that maybe there isn't anything wrong with the food already in his den. He returns to his den to find that the previously encountered animals have already eaten his stored food.

[Gala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books shiny cover with pretty colors made me want to read it. Badger wanted to eat food that was different from the same old food he has been eating.
So he went out trying to catch a mole, rat, or a rabbit but could not catch any of those.
He meets a mean horse who kicks him back home where his food has been eaten by the mole, rat, and rabbit. Moral of the story be grateful for what you have.Students can learn new vocabulary words.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Auidence: preschool to 3rd grade
Appeal: Badger's Fancy Meal is a good book for any animal lover. This book also has fun interactive pages that let you see what badger is doing and what the animals he is trying to catch and eat are up to with illustrations that are separate, but on the same page. This book has a surprising ending and teaches the lesson, 'you don't know what you've got until it's gone' in a fun, lighthearted manner. This book was a Golden Sower nominee in 2009-2010.

[Ariel Cummins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another animal story from Kasza Keiko - this one about a cranky badger who isn't happy with the meal he has. Although he imagines a mole taco or rat burger would be tastier, all he does is chase them in to his burrow.

Kasza's style is in full display here, but this title also features interesting cut-aways that take the form of pages bent down and show what's happening to badger's food (once it escapes, of course!).

Lots of words and a silly plot make this a book for older kiddos.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining story about a frustrated badger who really wants something to eat other than roots and vegetables. The narrative is fun to read aloud and the illustrations are colorful and cartoonish.

We've read several books by Keiko Kasza and we will certainly look for more at our local library.

[Breana Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book uses descriptive words and has a good moral to the story. It is a great book for children of all ages. It starts with a Badger who is not happy with the meal he has. So he goes out to look for something better. He tries to eat a few other animals who hide in the badger's home and they eat all of his food. The animals leave the badger a note and told him thank you for the fancy dinner. He realized that what he had was fancy all along.

[Katherine Fountain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Badger's Fancy Meal is a vibrantly illustrated children's book that is easy to read and comprehend. The story plot is about a badger coming out of hibernation and his journey for a delicious meal. The book is told in a funny and action oriented way. As a lesson plan along with this book, nutrition could be brought up because like the badger, we must also eat healthy.

[Carol Royce Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Badger's not satisfied with the food he has so he sets off to find a fancy meal. What will it be? A mole taco with hot spicy salsa? A rat burger smothered in cheese sauce? A rabbit-banana split covered in hot fudge sauce? He doesn't have much luck catching his prey though, and this leads to future trouble. Interesting page format helps the reader see what badger cannot.