Blue Badger (Volume 1) (Blue Badger, 1) - Hardcover

Lewis Jones, Huw

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0711267529 ISBN 13: 9780711267527

Publisher: Happy Yak, 2022

Synopsis

Featuring beautiful, emotive illustrations, this is the first story in a series of picture books about a befuddled, lovable Badger and his search for happiness, friends, and love.

Who am I?
White and black.
Day and night.
Badger doesn’t feel quite right…
…and to make matters worse, he now has a blue bottom.

Badger is feeling sad. He can’t sleep. He asks the other animals one by one: “Am I white and black, or black and white?” Can he find an answer? Is anyone listening? Does anyone care? Can he find a friend?

He speaks to several other animals, from zebra to panda to penguin to skunk, as he tries to find out who he is, but along his journey he discovers that it doesn't matter whether he is black or white, just as long as he is kind.

Featuring wry wit, deadpan humour and a heartwarming ending, Blue Badger will endear himself to readers big and small, while touching gently on themes of sadness and identity.

About this title

About the Author

Huw Lewis Jones is a writer and teacher who loves wild nature. He creates books for adults about maps and explorers, whilst for children it’s mostly been apples so far. With wife Kari and daughter Nell, he lives in a little house in Cornwall, though often spends his summers at the North Pole.

Ben Sanders is an award-winning illustrator. His work can be seen on the pages of Wall Street Journal, Monocle, Columbia Journalism Review, and Australian Geographic. His work has assisted Vodacom, Toyota, Visa, Bridgestone, Cadbury, and The Natural Confectionery Co. move product from shelves. Ben writes and illustrates for Hachette/Lothian and Thames & Hudson.

Reviews

PreS-K-A down-and-out badger sits in a pile of blueberries and ponders one of life's most puzzling questions: "Who am I?" He then proceeds to ask a series of other black and white animals, such as a panda, zebra, and penguin, about his coloring and his abilities. Ultimately he learns that perhaps the pattern of his colors is not the answer to his existential question. The exploration of self and its relation to an individual's value, along with relationships to others, is a heavy theme throughout, but offered in a kid-friendly way. The overall message of kindness will inspire. Repetitive, simple text makes this an easy read for younger and emerging readers, while the theme and message provide depth for discussion with older readers. The soft black and white animal illustrations truly pop against vibrant background pages, with the occasional mysterious splash of blueberries for readers to discover on their own. VERDICT This is a solid choice for anyone looking to expand their collection focused on social-emotional reads.-Kaitlin Malixi, Millbury P. L., Millbury, MAα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Happy Yak
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0711267529
• ISBN 13: 9780711267527
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Sanders Ben
• Number of pages: 32