Mac Barnett (text), Patrick McDonnell (illus.), The Skunk, Five Mile Press, Nov 2015, 32pp., $19.95 (hbk), ISBN 978 1 760067823
This picture book originated in the USA where it was one of the New York Times’ 10 best illustrated books for 2015. In addition, Barnett and McDonnell are Caldecott Honour recipients and McDonnell draws a comic strip, Mutts, that is syndicated to over 700 newspapers worldwide. Even without that recognition, it is clear that this duo are consummate professionals.
Skunks are not native to Australia but this should not prevent young readers enjoying the humorous story of an unnamed man who is followed relentlessly by a skunk. In the end he buys a new house in a different neighbourhood … but he soon misses the skunk.
The superb illustrations are reminiscent of those published in the erstwhile magazine, Punch, and capture perfectly the varying emotions of the gentleman and the persistent skunk. Ages 4-8.
Reviewed by Elizabeth Douglas