Badger's Fancy Meal

April 30, 2007
Kasza’s (The Dog Who Cried Wolf) wittily ironic tale introduces a peckish critter who, viewing the cache of food in his den, wryly observes, “Apples, worms and roots... same old, same old,” and longs for “a fancy meal for a change.” After abandoning his underground digs to search for tastier treats, Badger spies a mole. He envisions the small animal wedged in a taco shell, accompanied by a bowl of salsa, and declares, “Now, that’s what I call a fancy meal!” But the fast-moving mole dives into a hole, “a perfect place to hide.” Similarly, a rat that Badger imagines nestled on a hamburger bun “smothered in cheese sauce” and a rabbit he visualizes as the centerpiece in a banana split also escape down the hole. In an effective visual twist, each of Badger’s prey is pictured disappearing into Badger’s den and feasting on his scorned victuals on pages that appear to curl at the corner, creating comic split-action scenarios. This well-crafted device also reveals the three sated creatures exiting Badger’s hole as he hurtles through the air toward it (having just been kicked by a horse outraged by Badger’s statement that he is hungry enough to eat one). The humiliated—but still ravenous—Badger finds a note from his visitors, thanking him for the fancy meal and signed with three tiny paw prints. Kasza’s perky narrative and cleverly designed gouaches entertain while delivering a worthy message about being grateful for what one has. Ages 4-up.

July 1, 2007
PreS-Gr 2-Hapless Badger is no longer satisfied with his usual meal of apples, worms, and root vegetables, so he leaves his den (after a little whining) in search of a "fancy meal." In this sequential narrative, he nearly captures a mole, a rat, and a rabbit but, as fate would have it, they slip from his grasp. As Badger imagines a mole taco, a cheese-covered rat burger, and a rabbit banana split, he declares, "Now, that's what I call a fancy meal." Both pace and pitch are perfect: as Badger chases after another missed meal, the one he's just lost escapes down a hole thatyou guessed ithappens to be his den. Children are allowed a sneak peek behind the scenes via a corner illustration of a faux folded-back page, displaying those that "got away," as they share a feast. And, of course, children won't miss the irony. When the happy animals depart, they leave a paw-signed thank-you note to their unknown host. The gouache illustrations are colorful and full of humorous expression. The story is excellent for reflection, explication, and retelling, not to mention the teaching of maxims and irony. Another bold, bright, and funny read-aloud to add to Kasza's canon."Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.