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Orris and Timble: The Beginning

Illustrated by Carmen Mok
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Hardcover
$16.99 US
6.63"W x 8.5"H x 0.51"D   | 12 oz | 32 per carton
On sale Apr 30, 2024 | 80 Pages | 978-1-5362-2279-1
Age 5-8 years | Grades K-3
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From beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes the first book in a warm and funny early-reader trilogy about a misanthropic rat and a naive owl—and the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Orris the rat lives alone in an old barn surrounded by his treasures, until the day his solitude is disrupted by a sudden flutter of wings and a loud screech. A small owl has gotten caught in a trap in the barn. Can Orris “make the good and noble choice” (as the king on his prized sardine can might recommend) and rescue the owl, despite the fact that owls and rats are natural enemies? And if he does, will he be ready for the consequences? With humor and tenderness, two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo brings us this first of three tales celebrating unlikely friendship and the power of sharing stories and doing the right thing—a soon-to-be classic brought to expressive life by the full-color illustrations of Carmen Mok.
  • SELECTION | 2024
    Junior Library Guild Selection
DiCamillo sets the stage for an unlikely friendship and a new early chapter-book series grounded in kindness and a love of storytelling. Her short chapters are wonderfully illustrated by Mok, whose gouache, colored pencil, and graphite artwork lend endearing details and warmth to the story. Young readers will look forward to seeing what adventures are in store for this darling duo. . . Twice a Newbery medalist, DiCamillo knows how to tap into readers' hearts, no matter their age.
—Booklist

The spirits of Frog and Toad are alive and well in this moving and funny first volume in an early reader trilogy by DiCamillo (Ferris), which chronicles the unlikely blossoming friendship between a cynical rat and a curious, naive owl. . . . DiCamillo expertly wraps humor, kindness, the courage that purpose ignites, and a love of story into a concise, welcoming package. Quiet watercolor-and-pencil scenes by Mok (Cone Dog) are rendered in shadowy nighttime grays, blacks, and browns that crisply contrast Timble’s bright plumage.
—Publishers Weekly

With Orris & Timble,DiCamillo returns to the early reader-ish realm for the first time since Bink & Gollie. Expect another wonderfully unlikely friendship, beautifully told.
—100 Scope Notes
Kate DiCamillo is the author of THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX, which received the Newbery Medal; BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE, which received a Newbery Honor; and THE TIGER RISING, which was named a National Book Award Finalist. She says, "Mercy Watson had been in my head for a long time, but I couldn't figure out how to tell her story. One day, my friend Alison was going on and on and on about the many virtues of toast. As I listened to her, I could see Mercy nodding in emphatic agreement. Sometimes you don't truly understand a character until you know what she loves above all else." View titles by Kate DiCamillo

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About

From beloved storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes the first book in a warm and funny early-reader trilogy about a misanthropic rat and a naive owl—and the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Orris the rat lives alone in an old barn surrounded by his treasures, until the day his solitude is disrupted by a sudden flutter of wings and a loud screech. A small owl has gotten caught in a trap in the barn. Can Orris “make the good and noble choice” (as the king on his prized sardine can might recommend) and rescue the owl, despite the fact that owls and rats are natural enemies? And if he does, will he be ready for the consequences? With humor and tenderness, two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo brings us this first of three tales celebrating unlikely friendship and the power of sharing stories and doing the right thing—a soon-to-be classic brought to expressive life by the full-color illustrations of Carmen Mok.

Awards

  • SELECTION | 2024
    Junior Library Guild Selection

Praise

DiCamillo sets the stage for an unlikely friendship and a new early chapter-book series grounded in kindness and a love of storytelling. Her short chapters are wonderfully illustrated by Mok, whose gouache, colored pencil, and graphite artwork lend endearing details and warmth to the story. Young readers will look forward to seeing what adventures are in store for this darling duo. . . Twice a Newbery medalist, DiCamillo knows how to tap into readers' hearts, no matter their age.
—Booklist

The spirits of Frog and Toad are alive and well in this moving and funny first volume in an early reader trilogy by DiCamillo (Ferris), which chronicles the unlikely blossoming friendship between a cynical rat and a curious, naive owl. . . . DiCamillo expertly wraps humor, kindness, the courage that purpose ignites, and a love of story into a concise, welcoming package. Quiet watercolor-and-pencil scenes by Mok (Cone Dog) are rendered in shadowy nighttime grays, blacks, and browns that crisply contrast Timble’s bright plumage.
—Publishers Weekly

With Orris & Timble,DiCamillo returns to the early reader-ish realm for the first time since Bink & Gollie. Expect another wonderfully unlikely friendship, beautifully told.
—100 Scope Notes

Author

Kate DiCamillo is the author of THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX, which received the Newbery Medal; BECAUSE OF WINN-DIXIE, which received a Newbery Honor; and THE TIGER RISING, which was named a National Book Award Finalist. She says, "Mercy Watson had been in my head for a long time, but I couldn't figure out how to tell her story. One day, my friend Alison was going on and on and on about the many virtues of toast. As I listened to her, I could see Mercy nodding in emphatic agreement. Sometimes you don't truly understand a character until you know what she loves above all else." View titles by Kate DiCamillo