Squonk and Loosie

Skunk and Badger. Frog and Toad. Minnie and Moo. There’s nothing more charming than a true-blue animal friendship, and we all have our favorites.

We're pleased to introduce a new, if unlikely, pairing: Squonk and Loosie.

People have long had a fascination with cryptids—creatures of folklore and local legend like Bigfoot, Nessie, Jackalopes and Jersey devils. One of the most compelling is the Squonk, a shy animal that hails from the Pennsylvania woods, first “documented” in a 1910 book called Fearsome Creatures of the Lumberwoods.

Squonks are so saddened by their ugly (let's say, cute-ugly) appearance that they often dissolve (literally) into tears when confronted.

Enter Loosie, another cryptid. She’s a Wapaloosie, a creature born of Pacific Northwest lumberjack lore. She’s a charming rodent-like animal. Loosie is an eternal optimist. And she’s determined to get to the root of Squonk’s pain.

Can the eternal optimist help her friend, the pessimist, overcome his sadness and enjoy life -- and friendship?

Once again, beloved author Katherine Applegate captures readers' hearts with the story of an unforgettable friendship, and the gifts that kindness gives to all creatures.