Rock Paper Incisors

Shake off the hibernation blues with odd-couple friends Skunk and Badger in this funny and bestselling series, from Amy Timberlake and Jon Klassen!

Skunk and Badger have an easy roommate rhythm--Skunk cooks! Badger cleans!--until they take in two orphaned rat pups, Zeno and Zephyr. Badger is working on an Important Rock Work article for Rock Hound Weekly and needs focus, focus, focus to write it. How much trouble could two tiny rats really be? Some scheduling, a few strategically placed naps, and all will be well!

But it's winter, and nothing goes to plan. Hibernation threatens every routine. Articles refuse to write themselves. And rats in the rock room? It will take a North Twist village to raise these rats!

Featuring cozy drawings and full-color pictures by bestselling artist Jon Klassen, Amy Timberlake's delightfully off-kilter adventure explores the complexity of friendship and the meaning of family in a wintery world where chickens wear parkas and Yard Sheep host spaghetti dinners. And wait! Is that a dinosaur?

Don't miss Skunk and Badger's other adventures in:
Skunk and Badger
Egg Marks the Spot

Author: Amy Timberlake
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 10/14/2025
Pages: 192
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.08lbs
Size: 8.16h x 6.43w x 0.85d
ISBN: 9781643750071
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 08/01/2025
Kirkus Reviews 09/15/2025
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2025 pg. 80

About the Author
Amy Timberlake's novels for young readers have received a Newbery Honor, an Edgar Award, a Golden Kite Award, and the China Times Best Book Award. She grew up in Hudson, Wisconsin, but now calls Chicago home. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and holds an MA in English and Creative Writing from the University of Illinois. You can find her walking on Chicago's Lakefront Trail on cool, crisp fall days.

Jon Klassen is a Canadian-born author-illustrator. His books include I Want My Hat Back; This Is Not My Hat, winner of the Caldecott Medal; We Found A Hat; and The Skull. Jon is also the illustrator of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett and The Dark by Lemony Snicket, among many others. He is a member of the Order of Canada in recognition of his contributions to children's literature. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two sons. Find him online at imjonklassen.com.