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Orris and Timble #3
Orris and Timble: Star Stories
"Tender and authentic—a worthy conclusion to a wondrous series." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
In a soaring conclusion to a moving trilogy, national treasure Kate DiCamillo shows how friendship, trust, and stories—lived and shared—transform us.
Orris and Timble are friends. Orris is a rat, Timble is an owl, and they meet each night in an old barn to share stories. One night, Timble asks a fateful question: “Why don’t you ever leave the barn, Orris?” Strong and brave, the owl offers to carry the rat on his back. Orris will be able to see it all for himself—the rivers and fish, roads and farms, mountains and coyotes. But why would Orris leave the barn when all he needs is there: his books, the moon and stars above, and Timble’s nightly tales of high-flying adventure? What would you do if you had the chance to fly? In the final installment of an exquisitely illustrated and deeply felt early-reader trilogy, two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo reveals how trust and friendship can lift us into our best lives.
In a soaring conclusion to a moving trilogy, national treasure Kate DiCamillo shows how friendship, trust, and stories—lived and shared—transform us.
Orris and Timble are friends. Orris is a rat, Timble is an owl, and they meet each night in an old barn to share stories. One night, Timble asks a fateful question: “Why don’t you ever leave the barn, Orris?” Strong and brave, the owl offers to carry the rat on his back. Orris will be able to see it all for himself—the rivers and fish, roads and farms, mountains and coyotes. But why would Orris leave the barn when all he needs is there: his books, the moon and stars above, and Timble’s nightly tales of high-flying adventure? What would you do if you had the chance to fly? In the final installment of an exquisitely illustrated and deeply felt early-reader trilogy, two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo reveals how trust and friendship can lift us into our best lives.
80 pages, Hardcover
Published April 7, 2026
About the author
Kate DiCamillo
146 books11.3k 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 30, 2026
Another great addition to the series that looks at the development of trust in relationships.
May 9, 2026
Arrgh, how is it possible to for someone to write so well!? I am additionally floored looking at this in parallel with the previous book.
April 28, 2026
"The rat and the owl sat side by side in the window of the barn.
They talked.
Timble told Orris what he had seen as he flew through the world.
And Orris told Timble stories and facts and poems he had read in the old books left in the barn.
The rat and the owl talked of trees and rivers, planets and stars, princesses and kings.
Sometimes they didn't talk.
Sometimes, they simply sat together and looked up at the stars.
The rat and the owl were friends."
Such simple words, but they contain so much truth. Don't we all want a friend who we can sit quietly with, who loves to spend those quiet moments together where we share our lives and our thoughts? To have a friend that is always there for us and is loyal and who we trust just like Orris and Timble have with each other? That one friend can make all the difference in the world.
They talked.
Timble told Orris what he had seen as he flew through the world.
And Orris told Timble stories and facts and poems he had read in the old books left in the barn.
The rat and the owl talked of trees and rivers, planets and stars, princesses and kings.
Sometimes they didn't talk.
Sometimes, they simply sat together and looked up at the stars.
The rat and the owl were friends."
Such simple words, but they contain so much truth. Don't we all want a friend who we can sit quietly with, who loves to spend those quiet moments together where we share our lives and our thoughts? To have a friend that is always there for us and is loyal and who we trust just like Orris and Timble have with each other? That one friend can make all the difference in the world.
December 7, 2025
I received an electronic ARC from Candlewick through Edelweiss+.
The two friends are back and this book focuses on trust. Orris is afraid to fly with Timble though Timble offers every night. I appreciate the dialogue and the acceptance Timble offers. Finally, Orris gathers the courage to soar and the two set off on nightly adventures. Talking about the predator prey relationship between rats and owls is an easy starting point for discussion when reading together. Then families can emphasize how much trust
The two friends are back and this book focuses on trust. Orris is afraid to fly with Timble though Timble offers every night. I appreciate the dialogue and the acceptance Timble offers. Finally, Orris gathers the courage to soar and the two set off on nightly adventures. Talking about the predator prey relationship between rats and owls is an easy starting point for discussion when reading together. Then families can emphasize how much trust
August 4, 2025
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This Orris and Timble story is as wonderful as the earlier two. Like the others, it has the feel of a well-loved story that can be reread and enjoyed over and over again. I am sad to see it’s the conclusion for these friendships stories, because this series is a great choice for younger advanced readers.
This Orris and Timble story is as wonderful as the earlier two. Like the others, it has the feel of a well-loved story that can be reread and enjoyed over and over again. I am sad to see it’s the conclusion for these friendships stories, because this series is a great choice for younger advanced readers.
April 19, 2026
A beautiful story written by a very talented author about an owl and a rat, natural enemies who learn to coexist and trust each other. The book is organized into early chapters for those just learning to read. Excellent!
April 24, 2026
Such a simple and sweet story and so sweet that Orris and Timble a rat and an owl are friends.
Kate DiCamillo shows the sides of friendship and trust and beauty in such a simple and elegant way and this book was no different. She makes you care in just a few words/pages.
Kate DiCamillo shows the sides of friendship and trust and beauty in such a simple and elegant way and this book was no different. She makes you care in just a few words/pages.
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August 7, 2025Review closer to release date
April 9, 2026
So sweet!
April 16, 2026
Just absolutely divine!
Heartwarming for all ages
Kate is just a superb storyteller ⭐️👏
Heartwarming for all ages
Kate is just a superb storyteller ⭐️👏
April 17, 2026
Good writing and beautiful illustrations. I think kids will like this series.
April 21, 2026
Lovely little story; lovely little duo. <3
April 23, 2026
So sweet- lovely illustrations
April 24, 2026
Lots of recaps and nothingness in this one.
April 29, 2026
My friend went to PLA and got me a signed copy. It is a sweet story of friendship and trust…. Of an owl and a rat and of overcoming your fears. I must read the other books in the series now.
April 30, 2026
Not quite as good as the first two, but still a sweet friendship story, this time focusing on bravery and appreciating the world’s beauty.
May 6, 2026
Some of my favorite children’s book characters now. Orris & Timble are lovely.
May 7, 2026
A gentle powerful story about trust and friendship in a small package. This one is worth reading or listening to more than once.
May 13, 2026
Sweet book. A sweet story about friendship.
May 13, 2026
Cute book, positive message.
May 14, 2026
A sweet conclusion to a beautiful series about friendship. I would read 100 more stories of Orris and Timble.
May 15, 2026
My daughter (8) and I love this series so much!
May 20, 2026
I just love this series. The simplicity, while still evoking emotion and teaching lessons. Kate DiCamillo is an award winning author for a reason. Hope there is a fourth book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews