Imagine a world where the most powerful people are actually secret machines operated by badgers—and things are about to get very messy.
Susannah Lloyd, known for her clever picture books, brings her signature humor to this chapter book series about secret badger agents. The story introduces Lulu Whifferton-Rear, a badger who learns that humans are actually “Badger Operated Persons” (BOPs) steered by badgers behind the scenes. Lulu joins the Rumpington Academy of Badgering for training, but her chaotic energy leads her straight into a top-secret mission to save the entire world. There are currently at least two books published in this series, which gives students a clear path to keep reading once they finish the first.
This series is a fantastic fit for students who are learning English or might feel overwhelmed by dense pages of text. Nici Gregory’s black-and-white illustrations appear on many pages, helping kids visualize the slapstick jokes and the strange badger inventions. The sentence structures are generally simple. While the author includes funny military-style idioms like “tally-ho” and “spiffing,” these are supported by the pictures and the silly sergeant-major characters. Using a series like this works well because the recurring cast and the familiar school setting make the second book feel much more familiar and approachable. Lulu’s mishaps can be a springboard to discuss resilience or have students design their own secret agency dossiers.
Total Books in Series: At least 2 Best Starting Point: Badgers Are GO!
