PUNCH!

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 word punch refers to the drink, while belt and sock 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.