Parents' Guide to

Orris and Timble: The Beginning

By Mary Eisenhart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

Sweet, spare friendship tale of courage, gratitude, stories.

Book Kate DiCamillo Animals 2024
Orris and Timble book cover: Little gray rat and big white owl sit on a wood ledge in front of a night sky

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 6+

Based on 1 parent review

Katherine R.
Katherine R. Parent of 10, 14, 18+, 18+, 18+ and 5-year-old
May 19, 2024
age 6+

See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

ORRIS AND TIMBLE: THE BEGINNING finds Orris the rat leading a peaceful, solitary life in the cozy nest he's made for himself in an abandoned barn. He loves his velvet slipper, he loves his yellow marble that lights up like a lamp, and he really loves his sardine can, with the image of a sardine king advising, "Make the good and noble choice!" Then one peaceful evening there's a great clamor out in the barn, and Orris finds a baby owl trapped, unable to escape, who's very sad and scared. Orris knows that owls eat rats, and he just wants to stay in his nest and leave young Timble to his fate -- but under the disappointed gaze of the Sardine King, he thinks better of it and goes to help.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Kate DiCamillo delivers a sweet, timeless tale of unlikely friendship and the power of storytelling, sure to hit the sweet spot with early readers, younger kids, and their reading-aloud parents. Carmen Mok's colorful, engaging illustrations make Orris and Timble (a rat, and the baby owl he rescues despite his fears) into irresistible new friends whose growing bond and further adventures we can't wait to follow.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about stories, like Orris and Timble, about characters who aren't "supposed" to be friends, but are anyway. What other stories do you know that do this well? Who are the characters and how do they work out their differences?

  • Have you ever been really scared to do something, realized it would be really helpful if you did it, and went ahead and did it despite your fears? What happened? How did you find the courage to do it anyway? How did it turn out?

  • Are there owls where you live? Do they look like Timble, or different?

Book Details

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