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Orris and Timble #1
Orris and Timble: The Beginning
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.
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.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2024
14 people are currently reading
928 people want to read
About the author
Kate DiCamillo
163 books11k followersKate DiCamillo, the newly named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2014–2015, says about stories, “When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.” Born in Philadelphia, the author lives in Minneapolis, where she faithfully writes two pages a day, five days a week.
Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."
Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.
Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.
Kate DiCamillo's own journey is something of a dream come true. After moving to Minnesota from Florida in her twenties, homesickness and a bitter winter helped inspire Because of Winn-Dixie - her first published novel, which, remarkably, became a runaway bestseller and snapped up a Newbery Honor. "After the Newbery committee called me, I spent the whole day walking into walls," she says. "I was stunned. And very, very happy."
Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, went on to become a National Book Award Finalist. Since then, the master storyteller has written for a wide range of ages, including two comical early-chapter-book series - Mercy Watson, which stars a "porcine wonder" with an obsession for buttered toast, and Bink & Gollie, which celebrates the tall and short of a marvelous friendship - as well as a luminous holiday picture book, Great Joy.
Her latest novel, Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, won the 2014 Newbery Medal. It was released in fall 2013 to great acclaim, including five starred reviews, and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Flora & Ulysses is a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format - a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black and white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell. It was a 2013 Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner and was chosen by Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Common Sense Media as a Best Book of the Year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 343 reviews
October 22, 2023
This story begins with Orris, who is a rat, making a nest for himself in a hole in the wall, papering it with pages taken from discarded books, alongside his treasured items - a red velvet slipper, a yellow marble and a sardine can.
One night, while Orris was in his nest watching the beams of light that shone through the cracks in the wood boards, the way the dust floated in the air, while the light shone on the yellow marble which added a glow to the scene.
Then, there was a loud noise. A shriek, followed by someone calling for help, and letting them know that they are trapped.
Orris creeps out slowly, peeking to see if he can see who and where that call for help came from and discovers a small, young owl whose claws have been caught in a mousetrap. A mousetrap which had been nailed to the floor.
Timble, the owl asks for help, but Orris refuses as rats and owls are not friends, they are, in fact, enemies, as well as the fact that owls eat rats.Timble quickly lets him know that he would never do that. Orris mumbles as he approaches Timble, and the owl begs for his help.
This is a simply shared story for young children - but will be enjoyed by all ages - about supposed enemies who choose to become friends, despite what others in the world may think of a rat and an owl as friends.
Pub Date: 30 April 2024
Many thanks for the opportunity to read the advance copy of this story via Edelweiss
August 3, 2024
I’m an adult who buys the new Kate DiCamillo as soon as it comes out. They are warm, and loving, and a wonderful example of how we should treat one another. Orris & Timble does not disappoint! Hopefully soon I’ll have a new little one in the family with whom to share all of these wonderful books!
May 24, 2024
Four stars because, while it didn’t quite meet my five-star expectations (I’m an enormous fan of “The Puppets of Spelhorst”), it’s still a fantastic read. DiCamillo has a knack for storytelling that few can match. Everything she writes has a touch of magic to it and appeals to the part of me that has a weakness for folk tales.
Mok’s illustrations didn’t quite grab me as I’d hoped, but they still bring a certain charm and timelessness that fits well with DiCamillo’s style. I especially enjoyed Timble’s bright yellow eye peeking through the mouse hole as he asks Orris questions and entreats him to tell stories and beseeches him for more details about the stories.
I think readers of all ages will enjoy this early chapter book as DiCamillo’s amazing storycraft shines through. It’s filled with wisdom and those quirky, endearing characters she does so well — in this case the unlikely pair of Orris the hesitant mouse and the naive and curious owl, Timble. It’s hard not to be charmed by this quick read. I give it a strong four stars.
Mok’s illustrations didn’t quite grab me as I’d hoped, but they still bring a certain charm and timelessness that fits well with DiCamillo’s style. I especially enjoyed Timble’s bright yellow eye peeking through the mouse hole as he asks Orris questions and entreats him to tell stories and beseeches him for more details about the stories.
I think readers of all ages will enjoy this early chapter book as DiCamillo’s amazing storycraft shines through. It’s filled with wisdom and those quirky, endearing characters she does so well — in this case the unlikely pair of Orris the hesitant mouse and the naive and curious owl, Timble. It’s hard not to be charmed by this quick read. I give it a strong four stars.
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September 20, 2025got me tearing up in Barnes & Noble
“make the good and noble choice”
“make the good and noble choice”
May 31, 2024
Another Kate winner...so the Rat might be a bit of a curmudgeon or at the very least he wasn't inclined to see the bright side, BUT his nest was fashioned from discared books and when the sun shone JUST right the marble glowed like a lamp and "make the good and noble choice" stood out on the sardine can. All this was lucky for the Owl whose claw got stuck in a mouse trap just around the corner from the Rat (also known as Orris once he decided to tell us his name). So why would Orris be inclined to help Timble when owls are known to EAT rats. Why indeed?!
The end.
Or was it? "For the love of Pete," I'm not going to tell you...read the book! Orris loved this expression.
Recommend.
The end.
Or was it? "For the love of Pete," I'm not going to tell you...read the book! Orris loved this expression.
Recommend.
April 30, 2025
Very cute short chapter book for early readers. This is a Sunshine State Young Readers Award, Jr. book for the 2025-26 school year for grades K-2. I read this with my 6 & 8 year old and they enjoyed it as much as I did. Kate DiCamillo is one of my favorite chikdren’s authors and I love that she’s from Central Florida and went to UF. Great local role model for our students/children.
April 7, 2025
My girl Kate does it again; this is her signature style of a simple story with depth, sneaky humor, all wrapped up in love and heart. It’s heartwarming, a perfect little read aloud for 5-7 year olds and beyond. 🤍
April 6, 2025
a beautiful story
How does Ms. DiCamillo do this again and again? Simple, achingly beautiful. Another beautiful book. And The illustrations are perfect.
How does Ms. DiCamillo do this again and again? Simple, achingly beautiful. Another beautiful book. And The illustrations are perfect.
June 24, 2025
This was so cute!
Vance “it was so good. The rat saved the owl. And then they became friends. And the owl came a lot of days”
Simon “a lion and owl and a mouse. I mean a rat.”
Vance “it was so good. The rat saved the owl. And then they became friends. And the owl came a lot of days”
Simon “a lion and owl and a mouse. I mean a rat.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 21, 2025What a sweet story about the beginning of a friendship between a somewhat cranky rat and a young owl who still is learning about the world. I was very happy to find out that this is the first book in a trilogy. Can't wait to read the next two books.
January 29, 2025
Fun and light children's story.
April 29, 2024
DiCamillo does it again.
How does a great friendship begin? Like this.
How does a great friendship begin? Like this.
May 23, 2024
Kate DiCamillo has done it again with a keeper. Loved this sweet unlikely friendship story between a rat and an owl. Perfect writing with perfect illustrations. Will be recommending this to many who want a first chapter book for young children. But older kids will want to experience this also.
August 25, 2025
Orris is an old rat who has a cozy home in an old barn. One day he hears someone calling for help. It's Timble, a young owl caught in a trap. Orris is afraid to help because owls eat rats. But he overcomes his fear and frees Timble. He tells Timble a story about a lion and a mouse which is the beginning of their friendship. Like all of DiCamillo's books, this one is charming. Because of Timble's youth, Orris teaches him many lessons. It's a book about friendship and taking chances. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is uplifting.
June 17, 2024
A lion and a mouse has been done, so let’s visit a rat and an owl, and a Sardine King. A delightful beginning to a new series. I’m looking forward to seeing this in print,it may go up a star.
February 16, 2024
Orris and Timble: The Beginning by Kate DiCamillo
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🥹
What a sweet little story (an early reader chapter book) about two unlikely friends - an owl and a rat. I read this out loud to my 10 and 6 year old daughters and we all had tears welling in our eyes at the end. I loved the story because the rat did what was good and noble, even though it wasn’t easy for him.
This book will release on April 30. Thank you @this_is_edelweiss and @candlewickpress for the ARC ebook! All opinions are honestly and my own.
#edelweiss #goodreads #bookstagram #literarypearlsof24
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🥹
What a sweet little story (an early reader chapter book) about two unlikely friends - an owl and a rat. I read this out loud to my 10 and 6 year old daughters and we all had tears welling in our eyes at the end. I loved the story because the rat did what was good and noble, even though it wasn’t easy for him.
This book will release on April 30. Thank you @this_is_edelweiss and @candlewickpress for the ARC ebook! All opinions are honestly and my own.
#edelweiss #goodreads #bookstagram #literarypearlsof24
May 29, 2024
I don’t know why this made me cry but knowing someone has such power being so tiny and someone so big with such potential to destroy … perhaps I won’t ruin the story but gods walk the earth with the power to destroy and Passover much human life as their noble and intrinsic beauty comes not just physically but within
October 29, 2025
Orris, a barn rat saves an owl named Timble from a mouse trap in the barn. He mentions that this situation is like the one in the fable about the lion and the mouse, but Timble hasn’t heard the tale. Orris thinks rescuing Timble is the beginning and end of their relationship, but the curious owl comes back wanting to hear the story of the lion and the mouse. And an unlikely friendship begins.
This was incredibly sweet. It’s a fresh new take on the lion and the mouse, with obvious references. I love the way DiCamillo manages to fully convey Orris’s fear of the owl and acknowledgement of the danger helping the owl could present and wrestling over whether to help or not. But Orris chooses to do the kind thing even if he is reasonably afraid and it could mean he is eaten. He has a good heart. Timble is an innocent owl with endless curiosity who doesn’t seem to have any inkling that he should be the enemy of a rat. He just assumes anyone can be a friend, which is another refreshing attitude and great model for kids. It’s a heartwarming story, and now I need to find more in this series. This rides that fine line of yes, it is a chapter book, but it is a large print, sparingly worded chapter book with lots of illustrations. Do you put it in the picture book section alongside books like Little Bear or do you put it in the lower grade fiction section? I can see it in either.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There’s peril for Orris, but Timble is kind.
Ethnic diversity: N/A
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: None
This was incredibly sweet. It’s a fresh new take on the lion and the mouse, with obvious references. I love the way DiCamillo manages to fully convey Orris’s fear of the owl and acknowledgement of the danger helping the owl could present and wrestling over whether to help or not. But Orris chooses to do the kind thing even if he is reasonably afraid and it could mean he is eaten. He has a good heart. Timble is an innocent owl with endless curiosity who doesn’t seem to have any inkling that he should be the enemy of a rat. He just assumes anyone can be a friend, which is another refreshing attitude and great model for kids. It’s a heartwarming story, and now I need to find more in this series. This rides that fine line of yes, it is a chapter book, but it is a large print, sparingly worded chapter book with lots of illustrations. Do you put it in the picture book section alongside books like Little Bear or do you put it in the lower grade fiction section? I can see it in either.
Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: There’s peril for Orris, but Timble is kind.
Ethnic diversity: N/A
LGBTQ+ content: None specified
Other: None
February 2, 2025
Kat DiCamillo never disappoints and it is true with Orris and Timble: The Beginning. Orris the rat had the opportunity to make a good and noble choice when Timble the owl gets caught in a mouse trap. The results become a friendship between the two and the sharing of stories - their friendship only being the beginning. What a precious story of understanding, overcoming fear, doing what is right, and finding a new friend.
August 4, 2024
I saw this at the library and loved the cover and the fact that it is by Kate DiCamillo! Even though it’s a children’s story, I had to read it. The story and characters are very sweet, and it looks like it might be the first in a series. I hope there are more as I would love to get them for my granddaughter!
June 9, 2025
Adorable! I always love Kate DiCamillo's characters. This one is a very sweet story about friendship -- though the two friends happen to be an owl and a rat ;)
I highly recommend this for young children (read to them by a loved one!).
:)
I highly recommend this for young children (read to them by a loved one!).
:)
October 30, 2025
Very cute and funny book. The illustration of the curious owl poking its eye into the mouse hole had me and my 5 year old cracking up. Something so subtle insighting so much joy was incredible. Another great short story by Kate DiCamillo.
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January 13, 2024Beautiful illustrations accompany this lovely friendship story between a rat and an owl that I'm sure will appeal to kids and they'll be asking for more!
May 15, 2024
Love this book! Very sweet story with a powerful messge.
May 19, 2024
An unlikely friendship begins when Orris the rat saves Timble the young snowy owl from a trap. Orris tells Timble stories, and Timble brings Orris gifts. It’s the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
May 20, 2024
5 heartwarming ⭐️s! I love a friendship story and Kate DiCamillo is so good at writing them.
May 27, 2024
4 yr old Sydney - “this author is good”. Completely unprompted.
Spring 2024
Spring 2024
June 24, 2024
Read this in one sitting with my little one. We both loved it! I can't wait for more.
July 3, 2024
This was such a sweet story.
August 7, 2024
Lovely beginning chapter book from DiCamillo. Not as silly as Mercy books, but very sweet. Great for storytellers and animal lovers. Reminds me of Catina and Houndsley.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 343 reviews