Review by Booklist Review
When Badger shoves, kicks, and pokes the other animals on his way by, Bear crafts a plan to "teach that Badger a lesson." Later, as Badger works in the hot sun, Bear "haul[s] back, and . . . Punch!"--shares a glass of fruit punch with him, a key detail made clear only in the illustration. Over the course of the day, Elephant, Moose, and Frog take turns offering unexpectedly kind interpretations of words like sock (replacing Badger's worn pair with new ones) and slug (a new animal friend). The dynamic between the text and illustrations is especially powerful, since the text by itself seems to tell the story of a rude Badger whose outburst is met with violence. Hall's trademark painted-paper illustrations, however, reveal that the other animals are showing compassion while Badger is digging a hole, smoothing dirt, and finally, tearfully laying flowers at the headstone of a beloved pet. Ultimately, the "lesson" Bear teaches is one of empathy for someone who is hurting. Though some of the old-timey fight slang might go over their heads, young readers will no doubt get a kick out of the wordplay and surprising twists of goodwill. Their adults, meanwhile, will appreciate how this simple story, full of heart, provides ample opportunity to notice unspoken emotions and consider our responses to them.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Wordplay propels Hall's witty and compassionate story about kindness as one response to difficult behavior. When Badger, flushed with anger and "looking for trouble," physically mistreats fellow forest-dwellers Frog, Moose, Elephant, and Bear, the four victims hatch a three-part revenge scheme--one whose tactics continually surprise. Bear sneaks up while Badger digs in the sun, and then "Punch!" Blocky painted paper collages against a white background show Badger cowering, until a page turn reveals the ursine character merely offering a glass of orange punch. Later actions humorously involve other fist-fight puns ("Belt! Sock!"), while visual storytelling provides a hint about the emotional origins of Badger's foul mood. And a closing scene points to the takeaway that kindness begets kindness, making for an endearing end to a winsome book about one way of caring for loved ones in distress. Ages 4--8. (Apr.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--In Hall's signature style of painted paper and digitally produced line art and shapes, an angry badger gets a lovingly delivered lesson on kindness from his friends. "Badger was looking for trouble." He encounters his friends, Frog, Moose, Elephant, and Bear, and is mean to all of them by physically hurting them with a poke, jab, shove, and a trip. His friends devise a plan to teach Badger a lesson. When they retaliate with kindness (a glass of punch from Bear, for example), Badger turns his mood around and restores his relationship with his very forgiving friends. This simple tale will resonate with young children, who often have big emotions for reasons they cannot verbalize. Used in a classroom setting, this book makes for a powerful tale to help students express empathy for others, especially those children who are also in need of further development of their self-regulation skills. VERDICT Visually appealing for the intended audience, with a message centered on acceptance and repaying hurtful actions with kindness, this work is full of warmth and sensitivity toward its audience. Highly recommended.--John Scott
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Review by Horn Book Review
An angry badger faces surprising consequences for his bad behavior in this multilayered picture book. Badger -- red-faced, glowering, and dressed in yellow shorts and tattered socks -- pulls a mysterious wagon in and out of altercations with his animal peers. Badger trips, shoves, kicks, and pokes -- each violent word jumping off the page in bold red text -- before skulking off into the woods. His scowling victims then craft a three-part plan to chasten their volatile peer. Their revenge, however, takes a punny turn. In a close-up spread, an oversized, looming Bear hauls back to deliver a mighty "Punch!" to cowering Badger; but after the page-turn, the view pans out to reveal that the punch is the thirst-quenching kind, perfect for sharing. Hall's appealing digital and painted-paper illustrations add to the gag -- the blocky, collaged character art lending itself to both exaggerated facial expressions and ambiguous body language. As parts two and three of the plan unfold similarly -- an offering of a "Belt!" and a "Sock!" to the disheveled Badger is especially amusing -- another, more heart-rending story emerges. Details in the art reveal that Badger isn't just grumpy, he's grieving the death of a beloved friend. Witty and offbeat, this moral tale offers an uncommonly complex lesson in practicing empathy. Jessica Tackett MacDonaldJuly/August 2025 p.70 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A group of friends react to Badger's bad mood. The book opens with a series of photos featuring Badger and his pet, Snaily. On the following page, an angry Badger appears, alone. On his way to the forest with a shovel and a wagon, he trips Frog, pushes Moose, kicks Elephant, and pokes Bear. So his friends devise a plan to deal with him, starting with a "Punch!" A "Belt!" and a "Sock!" soon follow. But Hall cleverly upends expectations. Badger's pals are in fact offering him support as he buries the deceased Snaily. The wordpunch refers to the drink, whilebelt andsock are gifts of clothing from Frog and Moose. Elephant gives Badger a "Slug!" (a new pet) and gets a "Smack!" in return: a kiss on the nose. The next day, Badger reciprocates when Bear is stung by a bee and needs comfort. Though the wordplay feels a little forced, the message that friends dealing with grief require patience and understanding rings true. Some adults may wish that Hall had unpacked Badger's behavior a bit more, making clear that big emotions don't excuse violence; still, the story could serve as a good jumping-off point for discussing how to process complex feelings. Spare, blocky illustrations allow the animals' changing moods to take center stage and succinctly convey the tale's takeaway. A somewhat simplified though easily digestible lesson in compassion.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
