Orris and Timble

DiCamillo, Kate. Orris and Timble: The Beginning. Somerville, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press, 2024.
What a delightful little novel! Orris the rat is happily nested with his treasures – a red velvet slipper, a yellow marble, and a sardine can – in a hole in the wall. All is peaceful until he hears a call for help. An owl is caught in a mousetrap right outside Orris’s hiding spot. What would be the good and noble choice? In nine short chapters, Orris makes a brave decision and a friendship is formed.
This could have been a rather obvious retelling of the well-known fable of the lion and the mouse, but because Orris himself recalls it in the story, readers are humorously yet subtly shown how literature can guide our conduct in life. DiCamillo’s writing flows so smoothly that only skillful readers will notice the figurative language, foreshadowing, and other literary techniques including a quiet allusion to a raven and wolf myth. Only older readers will notice that the pronoun for Timble the owl changes from ‘it’ at the beginning to ‘he’ at the end.
Evocative illustrations by Carmen Mok help to tell this 76-page story most highly recommended for children up to nine years of age. A perfect choice for primary teachers looking for a novel study and a useful resource for middle school literature teachers. Definitely a book to buy for readers of any age who admire outstanding writing!

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Yours in Books

Falatko, Julie and Gabriel Alborozo. Yours In Books. Petaluma, CA: Cameron Kids, an imprint of Cameron + Company, 2021.
Owl is tired of all the visitors disturbing the peace and quiet of his life in the forest. So he writes a letter to Squirrel, the owner of a bookstore, to request a book on how to soundproof his home. Squirrel replies. Unfortunately, that book is out of stock. How about a different book? And so begins a correspondence, a friendship, and a slow realization that perhaps guests aren’t so awful, after all. Perhaps a party, even, could be fun. An absolutely brilliant picture book. Highly recommended for anyone of any age who would like to enjoy some light-hearted humour right now! 

P.S. The book titles in the story hilariously summarize the relationship between Owl and Squirrel. After reading the book, you might like to summarize your own relationships with friends by making up imaginary book titles.

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Out to Sea

Lear, Edward. The Owl and the Pussycat. London: Puffin, 2014.
This lusciously nonsensical poem was first published in 1871. Charlotte Voake beautifully illustrates it in pen and ink and watercolour. The layout of the pages and the size and style of the font enhance the romantic mood. Highly recommended for all ages.

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