Meet the Junkyard Tales Animals
Welcome to the Junkyard! You've come to an unusual place, home to a host of delightfully unusual friends: a steadfast watchdog, a refined rat, a silly skunk, a wise old possum, a host of helpful mice, and many more!
If you haven't met them before or want to get to know any of them a little bit better, you're in luck! In this article, we outline their character bios and a few fun facts about what makes each Junkyard animal unique.
Meet Ben Thompson, Clever Cat
The adventures of Ben Thompson are often at the center of the Junkyard Tales stories. A clever and world-savvy cat, he is friend to all in the Junkyard. He is always ready to share an adventure or pull together a group for some community fun.
Fun Facts:
- Home: The Junkyard (and he sleeps in an old cabinet)
- Best Friend: Sergeant
- Favorite food: tuna and sardines
- Likes: sleeping, helping his friends
- Dislikes: getting into the water, apples
- Superpowers: dedicated friend, ability to calm tense situations, power to find little tinkly bells anywhere
Meet Sergeant, the Steadfast Watchdog
A loyal friend and faithful guardian, he takes his work very seriously — but he's never too serious for a laugh or a little adventure with his Junkyard pals.
Fun Facts:
- Home: The Junkyard
- Best Friend: Ben Thompson
- Favorite food: Dog Star Cookies made by Ben — containing ham, peanut butter, cheese, and marshmallows
- Likes: leading meetings!
- Dislikes: sitting still
- Superpowers: standing up for his friends using understanding and kindness, practical thinking
Meet Spiro, the Silly Skunk
Not the must punctual or reliable, but will always help a friend in need! He's fun-loving, kind, and a friend to all. (He's also a character favorite!) He's always smiling and full of funny jokes.
Fun Facts:
- Home: The Junkyard; "Big Tin"
- Best Friend: Zippy
- Favorite food: tuna — the more, the better
- Likes: telling jokes!
- Dislikes: needing to be tidy
- Superpowers: bringing levity to every situation
Meet Georgia Bean, the Kindly Rat
She remembers the birthday of every single creature in the Junkyard. Deeply kind and nurturing, she is like a mother to all of the many mice. You can always rely on her for a little warmth and love.
Fun Facts:
- Home: The Junkyard
- Best Friend: Mr. Flinch
- Favorite food: plenty of cheese
- Likes: baking, the beach
- Dislikes: disruptions to her motherly routine
- Superpowers: super-mom!
Meet Mr. Flinch, the Wise Old Possum
The original Junkyard resident. Very much a homebody. Such a kind animal, so helpful and funny! Full of wisdom. Can't see very well, but gets on just fine with a little help from his Junkyard friends.
Fun Facts:
- Home: The Junkyard; A Cozy House of Chairs with a Fireplace
- Best Friend: Georgia Bean
- Favorite food(s): tea and anchovies
- Likes: stories (especially Moby Dick), staying in his home!
- Dislikes: his house being taken away, ironically...junk!
- Superpowers: full of wisdom and sage advice; always looks at the world with a sense of curiosity.
Meet Sally, the Chipmunk
Full of energy and enthusiasm! Daring and able to do very amazing jumps and acrobatic tricks. A tiny trickster with a great sense of humor.
Fun Facts:
- Home: The Junkyard; The Old Maple Tree
- Best Friend: Lil' Mamma
- Favorite food: nuts
- Likes: running FAST, playing tricks on Lil' Mamma, underground tunnels
- Dislikes: finding a warm weather home, being alone in the dark
- Superpowers: collaborating with friends
Meet Lil' Mamma, the Busy Rabbit
An amazing grandmother to her seven "grandkits" and an avid gardener, Lil' Mamma is as vivacious and lovely as they come. As her namesake says, she's always busy and juggling a lot — but leans on her village of Junkyard friends for help when she needs it!
Fun Facts:
- Home: The Junkyard; The Old Maple Tree
- Best Friend: Sally
- Favorite food: nuts
- Likes: Being a grandma to her seven "grandkits", playing tricks on Sally, gardening!
- Dislikes: anything moving too slow
- Superpowers: Her kind and nurturing heart
Meet Zippy, the Dreamy Porcupine
Slow moving and sleepy, Zippy moves through life at a leisurely pace. But he doesn't let his speed (or lack there of) get in the way of his dreams! He daydreams of owning a taco truck and is a lover of art.
Fun Facts:
- Home: The Junkyard; "Big Tin"
- Best Friend: Spiro
- Favorite food: white birch trees, salt
- Likes: art, taco trucks
- Dislikes: going to bed, loosing his Worry Charm
- Superpowers: steadyness and hope
Looking to explore more of the Junkyard? Here are all of the collections:
- Junkyard Tales Introduction
- Junkyard Tales
- Junkyard Tales: All Together Now
- Junkyard Tales: All Belong
- Junkyard Tales Halloween Story
- Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar
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About the Authors
Trish Montle
Trish is a social media manager, creator, copywriter, and mother of two small humans and three fur-babies. She lives in Collingwood, Ontario (Canada) surrounded by the natural beauty of the Blue Mountains and Georgian Bay.
Ann Boyd
Ann is a writer, editor, homeschooling mother, voracious reader, full-fat baker, and musician. She lives in Chicago with her husband and two daughters and chronicles the journey at Boyds’ Nest News.