New Kid in Town

Animal Friends #5

by Janette Oke

Separated from his family, Fuzzle the skunk has to make a new home and find food all alone, because the other animals run away when they see him, until he discovers a secret weapon that could make him a hero.

Genres: Fiction, Childrens, Chapter Books, Christian Fiction, Juvenile, Christian

75 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Janette Oke is a Canadian author known for her inspirational fiction, often set in a pioneer era and focused on female protagonists. Her debut novel, Love Comes Softly (1979), became the foundation for a successful series, followed by over 75 other novels. The first book in her Canadian West series, When Calls the Heart (1983), inspired the popular television series of the same name.
Born in Champion, Alberta, to farmers Fred and Amy (née Ruggles) Steeves during the Great Depression, Oke went on to graduate from Mountain View Bible College in Didsbury, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Edward Oke, who later became the president of the college. The couple has four children, including a daughter who has collaborated with Janette on several books.
A committed Evangelical Christian, Oke has authored numerous works exploring themes of faith. She has received various accolades for her contributions to Christian fiction, including the 1992 President's Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association and the 1999 CBA Life Impact Award.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute story that both my little kids enjoyed. I remember reading these with my mom when I was little and wanted to do the same with my kids.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I enjoyed this cute story about a little skunk growing up and learning the importance of friends and family.

[Donald Owens II · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this book as a kid, so I read it to my children and was a bit disappointed. It's cute, but the prose is lackluster and the story rambling and rather predictable.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Mom read these books aloud to my brothers and I when we were homeschooled. I'm now reading/passing them along to my own children.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a kid at heart, but I didn't care for this one; from now on, I'll stick with her adult works.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although my kids (ages 5, 6 & 7) certainly enjoyed this story told through first person by Fuzzle the skunk, as the person reading it aloud it felt terribly repetitive a times (probably due to the fact that animals have basic needs that need to be met every single day). They giggled occasionally at something the animals said, and my youngest in particular was extremely concerned when Fuzzle got stuck in a crate and then later was flooded out of his log home. The ending however was satisfactory, although a bit sad (not wanting to give anything away). One thing I found a bit odd, was the author's continual referral to the "forest people", which I felt was confusing and read it instead as "forest creatures". As a faith aspect, it was briefly mentioned that God the Creator had made each of the animals with a special gift to protect themselves. All in all, a good first chapter book for young children.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love her children's books! They always teach a good lesson.

[Myra · Rating 1 out of 5]

Loved these books as a teen and young adult until I read Mrs. Mike by Freemont. I realized this author merely copied another author's work as her own without giving them credit. Plagerism!!! It really made me take another look at this "Christian" author. It really tarnish my love for this author. As a future teacher, I loved this animal series but I could not purchase her books because that would be condoning her practice of stealing the work of others.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

C. fiction, children's fiction, skunk, animals, Mom's stash, discard

[Greta Slabach · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love animal stories...even if you don't...this classic children's tale is another old favorite.
Simple and sweet and perfect for a fun, relaxing story to rest your mind after adult books! :P

[Suz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice chapter book for kids that like animals.

[Mary Koepke · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mum read this to us on holiday exactly 30 years ago when I was about to turn 6. So, it was time to reread it. 😊

[Rosa Cline · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of the books in Jannette Oke series "Animal Friends" books. (This series you do not have to read in any type of order) This book was a little less interesting than the others but it was still a lovely story. A young skunk gets separated from her Mother and siblings and have to figure out her way in life. Everywhere she goes no one wants to talk to her, they all run away from her and she doesn't understand why. Until one day she sees a baby deer and the deer smiles at her makes her DAY! Until the momma deer tell her they need to leave... but then there comes a time when a mean coyote chases the baby to kill her! The little skunk feels something inside her get angry and building up and then she smells a horrible smell! But the coyote runs off saving the baby and the rest of the animals! She is embarrassed and trys to hide but when the animals all come to her and want to be friends with her after they know she won't spray them.

[Ciera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew this was a series. I just had this book in my house so I decided to read it. Cute if you like animals and nature. Good story for kids too! 5 ⭐️ !!! 🙂

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janette Oke has a cute little series of children's chapter books about animals. I have four of the books and my mother and I used to read them all the time.

Fuzzle is a skunk that is separated from his mother and siblings after he climbs into a trap. He finds himself alone and has to start a life for himself without any help. No one seems to want to help him or even talk to him but he manages to find a log to live in. After he saves a fawn's life, he becomes accepted by the other forest dwellers.

[F · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Oke edition is age appropriate for the 6- to 10-year olds (as labeled on the back of the book). Fuzzle, the skunk, uses his spray to save a fawn, his friend, from a coyote. This act makes him many forest friends.

[Amanda Wige · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute really fun book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Janette Oke's childrens books as a child and had fun reading this one again to my kids. Even my husband got into it.

[Hillvan]

570L

[Elizabeth H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clara ❤️

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book as a kid. It's a classic.

[I. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book I got as a kid.