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Find out moreWritten by Huw Lewis Jones
Illustrated by Ben Sanders
Part of the Blue Badger Series
Write A ReviewA bewildered badger discovers you can be whatever you want to be in this warmly witty tale
April 2022 Book of the Month
The first in a series, Blue Badger’s glowing wisdom brings Jon Klassen’s sophisticated picture books to mind. Exploring identity and feeling out-of-sorts in a gentle, relatable way, it’s sure to spark comforting conversations when shared aloud with a toddler. With an elegant palette, Ben Sanders’ elegant illustrations (think emotive colour contrasts and expressive characters) are the perfect partner to Huw Lewis Jones’ perfectly-pitched, perfectly-paced text.
“White and black/ Day and night/ Badger doesn’t feel quite right/Who am I?” So begins Blue Badger’s existential quest to understand who he is. Not sure whether he’s white and black, or black and white, Badger seeks advice from a host of animals. To make matters even more confusing, he’s somehow ended up with a blue bottom.
While none of the animals can quite answer his question — not Bird, Dog, Cow, Skunk, Zebra, Panda, Whale nor Penguin — Badger discovers that it doesn’t actually matter, because being kind is the “best thing of all”. Moreover, “You can be whatever you want to be!”
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.
First in a series starring an endearing badger and his sometimes awkward attempts to navigate life. With deadpan wit and a limited palette, this will appeal to fans of Jon Klassen. - The Bookseller
ISBN: | 9780711267510 |
Publication date: | 1st March 2022 |
Author: | Huw Lewis Jones |
Illustrator: | Ben Sanders |
Publisher: | Happy Yak |
Format: | Paperback |
Pagination: | 32 pages |
Suitable for: | 3+ readers, 5+ readers |
Genres: | Funny, Animals, Personal Social Health Economic |
Recommendations: | Books of the Month, Star Books |
Collections: | 40 Great Bedtime Stories for the Under 5s, |
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. Check him out one Instagram @huwlewisjones
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