For the past three years, I’ve been featuring Kate DiCamillo’s Orris and Timble stories, with charming illustrations by Carmen Mok. Orris and Timble: Star Stories completes the trilogy about the rat and the owl. Although the series is designed for young readers ages 5 to 8, I read it to a four-year-old the other day. She loves this series. As do I. It’s about trust and friendship, with a message that runs through the entire set; “Make the good and noble choice.”
The first book, Orris and Timble: The Beginning, told the story of Orris, a rat who lived in an old abandoned barn. When a young owl named Timble was caught in a mousetrap, Orris had to overcome his fears to help him. I discussed that book in 2024. https://tinyurl.com/9y6tuves
In 2025, DiCamilllo brought us Orris and Timble: Lost and Found. Orris told Timble stories at night, and one of them ended, “By the light of the stars, by the light of the moon, I will always return.” Timble repeated that to tell his rat friend he would always return. And, then one night, Timble didn’t come back. https://tinyurl.com/nhh4d8hx
The final book is Orris and Timble: Star Stories. Timble wants Orris to fly with him and see the world. Mok’s cover illustration shows what happens, but it takes a while for Orris to agree. Timble insists Orris can trust him, but Orris is afraid. While they stare at the night sky, Orris informs Timble that there are stories behind the constellations. Someday, he’ll tell Timble about them.
Trust and friendship and stories. I love these accounts of two creatures who learn to be friends and trust each other. They’re informative books about rats and owls, stories, and the world. I may not be the age of the target audience, but anyone who enjoys enchanting stories and illustratons is actually the target audience.
Kate DiCamillo’s website is https://www.katedicamillo.com/
Orris and Timble: Star Stories by Kate DiCamillo. Candlewick Press, 2026. 80 pages.
FTC Full Disclosure – I bought copies of all three books.
