"The marble was no longer glowing.
The light was disappearing.
Orris could hear the owl struggling o
free himself.
It was a terrible sound.
"Help," said the owl quietly.
And then there was only silence.
The rat looked at the sardine can.
Make the good and noble choice!!"
I can barely contain my excitement when I hear about a new Kate DiCamillo book! I was thrilled to receive a copy of Orris and Timble from Sam at Penguin Random House. Thanks always, Sam! Even more exciting is that this is the first book in a trilogy for early readers. And, I love it.
It introduces two worthy and lovable characters. Orris is a treasure-loving rat who lives in a hole in the wall of an old barn. Old books, a red velvet slipper, a yellow marble and a sardine can decorate his home and give him comfort. The walls are hung with pages from his book collection. Timble is a snowy owl, caught in a mousetrap and looking for the help needed to free him. Orris knows about the dangers in his world, having lived there for a long time. Orris also knows that rats and owls are not a good match.
The writing on his sardine can offers an opinion: "Make the good and noble choice!!" Orris knows what he must do. As they talk, Orris demands that Timble remain absolutely still, and he will help. As he does so, he tells Timble a bit of the mouse and lion story. Once freed, the owl swoops around the barn, giddy with freedom. Orris is now even more terrified and returns to the safety of his home, thinking Timble has flown away. Not so. Timble peeks through the mousehole and wants to know what a lion is.
The explanation leads to some storytelling. Then, as promised, Timble is gone. It is suddenly lonely in the barn ... until Timble returns with a treasure for Orris as thanks for the help. At the end of the day, Orris finds himself 'listening, waiting, hoping'. Sure enough, Timble returns with a wish for a further story. What a brilliant beginning!
Perfect prose and lovely illustrations created in soft, round shapes within the warmth of the barn make this another sweet story from a master storyteller. I will eagerly anticipate their next adventure.
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