Skunk and Badger, who joined the ranks of literary duos of mismatched perfection with their first outing ( Skunk and Badger), are back; or rather, they’re leaving, off on a field expedition for Badger’s Important Rock Work. Skunk, an inexperienced but optimistic backpacker, is a little hampered on the hike to the campsite by bringing everything but (or maybe including) the kitchen sink in his oversized pack, but he perseveres. Badger is after an agate; what he finds is an egg. A dinosaur egg, to be specific, with an about-to-hatch baby inside. It’s a rare and precious thing, which is why Badger’s sneaky cousin Fisher is after it. Fisher has contracted with a large number of Norway rats to do the dirty work of bringing the egg out of the cave where it’s hidden. But Agatha and the other chickens are determined to protect their distant young relative, and Skunk and Badger are game to help out … if help is needed, that is. Big personalities, surprising plot twists, abundant humor, and quirky charm once again make for delight in a story perfect for reading aloud or independently. Occasional black-and-white illustrations and several sepia-toned plates add to the pleasure. (Ages 7-10)