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Orris and Timble #2
Orris and Timble: Lost and Found
Every friendship faces challenges. Orris and Timble are back in a poignant and evocatively illustrated tale of trust from a two-time Newbery Medalist.
Orris the rat and Timble the owl are unlikely friends. Each night, Timble visits Orris in the barn and listens to his stories. But Timble is growing up, and one evening when the owl doesn’t appear as usual Orris wonders if Timble has forgotten him. Is their friendship over? Or could it be that Timble has a tale of his own to share? Illustrated with wistful tenderness, the second title in a projected trilogy to feature this charmingly offbeat pair masterfully explores the stories we tell ourselves, the stories we tell each other, and the binding magic of friendship.
Orris the rat and Timble the owl are unlikely friends. Each night, Timble visits Orris in the barn and listens to his stories. But Timble is growing up, and one evening when the owl doesn’t appear as usual Orris wonders if Timble has forgotten him. Is their friendship over? Or could it be that Timble has a tale of his own to share? Illustrated with wistful tenderness, the second title in a projected trilogy to feature this charmingly offbeat pair masterfully explores the stories we tell ourselves, the stories we tell each other, and the binding magic of friendship.
80 pages, Hardcover
Published April 29, 2025
4 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Kate DiCamillo
169 books10.9k 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 61 reviews
May 2, 2025
My 4yo was ECSTATIC to have the newest book of Orris and Timble.
April 30, 2025
In Lost and Found, Orris is tasked with making a good and noble choice once again. He saved Timble in the first book from a trap, despite his fears that rats and owls are natural enemies. Now, Orris must decide whether it's good and noble to forgive a friend once you've been disappointed. Kate DiCamillo's books are always such a treat to read. What may seem like a simple story of a rat and an owl turns into this beautiful story of friendship and trust. As the two friends sit on the ledge of the barn window, gazing up at the moon, Timble tells Orris the story of how an owl became lost. Timble explains that their desire to see the moon and stars caused him to fly too high and lose his way. However, knowing that Orris was waiting, he kept searching until the barn finally came into view.
The repetitive quality of the story, with the line about the stars and moon, and also how the opening lines echo those of the first book really appealed to me. I love the soft watercolor illustrations by Carmen Mok inside the barn and how they beautifully draw the reader into the story. My favorites are the full-page illustrations of Orris and Timble looking out at the night sky. The Orris and Timble books are on the younger side of middle-grade but will surely be a hit for fans of Kate DiCamillo's other books.
**A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the hardcover ARC in exchange for an honest review**
The repetitive quality of the story, with the line about the stars and moon, and also how the opening lines echo those of the first book really appealed to me. I love the soft watercolor illustrations by Carmen Mok inside the barn and how they beautifully draw the reader into the story. My favorites are the full-page illustrations of Orris and Timble looking out at the night sky. The Orris and Timble books are on the younger side of middle-grade but will surely be a hit for fans of Kate DiCamillo's other books.
**A huge thank you to Candlewick Press for the hardcover ARC in exchange for an honest review**
June 9, 2025
Book 2 is equally as good as Book 1. Just as sweet, loving, and kind as you would expect the relationship between two friends should be :)
May 6, 2025
A delightful friendship series about a pair of unlikely friends bucking expectations.
May 8, 2025
A very sweet story of friendship for beginner chapter book readers. Kate is so good at making me feel the feels. The illustrations are beautiful.
May 14, 2025
I actually didn’t really care for the first Orris and Timble book, but this is pure DiCamillo.
July 3, 2025
Heartwarming story with lovely illustrations!
May 27, 2025
Orris and Timble are unlikely friends. A rat and an owl. Timble visits Orris every night and they share stories. One night, Timble doesn't come and Orris wonders if he has been forgotten.
This is a sweet story of friendship and our personal journeys out into the world.
This is a sweet story of friendship and our personal journeys out into the world.
July 1, 2025
Orris is an old rat who lives in a cozy nest in the attic of a barn. His only friend is a young owl who flies through the barn window each night; Orris has told Timble many stories he has learned from the pages of discarded books. These stories give Timble - who is growing into a full-fledged owl - the idea that he might be able to fly to the moon or the stars even though Orris insists it is not possible. When Timble does not appear for a couple of nights, Orris feels dejected and lonesome, but posits (in a sweet one-sided conversation with a picture of a sardine on an old can) that it is unnatural for a rat and an owl to be friends anyway, and “nothing lasts forever.” But Timble does return, and, after coaxing the diffident Orris out from his hiding spot in an old slipper, it is his turn to tell a story to his friend, that of an owl who got lost.
In spare, soothing language, Kate DiCamillo perfectly depicts the strength of this unexpected friendship between natural enemies, and recounts the way Orris’ storytelling brought them together. The stories have inspired Timble to spread his wings, but also given him a method for restoring their friendship upon his return to the barn. Their conversations are wise and heartfelt, and readers will be able to empathize with both characters as they navigate the changing nature of their relationship. There is a lot of humor infused in Orris’ chats with the sardine king, and the cute components of Orris’ nest are cleverly conveyed in both words and pictures. The soft tones and old-fashioned feel of the artwork enhance the gentleness of the story. During DiCamillo’s tenure as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, her theme was “Stories Connect Us,” and this theme is a constant in most of her writing. The Orris and Timble books are no exception. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
In spare, soothing language, Kate DiCamillo perfectly depicts the strength of this unexpected friendship between natural enemies, and recounts the way Orris’ storytelling brought them together. The stories have inspired Timble to spread his wings, but also given him a method for restoring their friendship upon his return to the barn. Their conversations are wise and heartfelt, and readers will be able to empathize with both characters as they navigate the changing nature of their relationship. There is a lot of humor infused in Orris’ chats with the sardine king, and the cute components of Orris’ nest are cleverly conveyed in both words and pictures. The soft tones and old-fashioned feel of the artwork enhance the gentleness of the story. During DiCamillo’s tenure as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, her theme was “Stories Connect Us,” and this theme is a constant in most of her writing. The Orris and Timble books are no exception. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
August 1, 2024
This is a story of Orris, a rat, and his friend, Timble, an owl, which might sound like a strange combination of friends, but they are indeed friends.
As this begins, Orris has made a nest out of pages he’s ripped, or perhaps chewed, from the books that were nearby, which is where he kept his favourite things, his yellow marble, a slipper, and a piece of Butterscotch wrapped up. Nearby there is a sardine can, an Imperial Sardine can with a picture of a fish wearing a crown, the sardine king. Occasionally, Orris would talk to him, although it was a one sided conversation. On one such night, Timble flew to the window, letting Orris know that he had returned. After all, they were friends.
Every night, Timble would tell a story, and Orris would listen. Every night, Timble would return to the barn and Orris would be there. Until one night… when Timble wasn’t there. Orris returned to his nest, and waited. And waited some more. And when that wasn’t enough, he decided to clean up his nest.
When Timble returns, Orris has been contemplating their friendship, and notices that Timble has grown bigger, which seems to make Orris sad.
’By the light of the stars, by the light of the moon, I will always return.’ Timble tells him.
As they look up at the night sky together, Timble tells him a story, a story of an owl who got lost, and the friend who he knew was waiting for him.
A lovely story, beautifully illustrated for young readers.
Pub Date: 29 Apr 2025
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Candlewick/Candlewick Press
May 5, 2025
First sentence: The rat had made himself a nest out of the pages of discarded books, and in the nest were his treasures: a yellow marble, a red velvet slipper, and a piece of Top-Notch Butterscotch wrapped in foil. Also, there was a silver sardine can. Imperial Sardine, said the label on the can. Make the good and noble choice!! Next to the words was a picture of a fish with a crown on his head and a scepter in his tail. Sometimes, Orris talked to the sardine king. The sardine king never talked back.
Premise/plot: Orris (the rat) and Timble (the owl) are unlikely friends perhaps, but quite close friends. Timble visits Orris in the barn every night--most nights at least. Orris looks forward to the visits. Perhaps more than Timble realizes. Their friendship is put into question--by Orris--when Timble is a little too inspired by one of Orris' stories. Can this friendship be mended?
My thoughts: I love Kate DiCamillo. I do. Most of her books are WONDERFUL and FANTASTIC. This one is no exception. It is the second in the series. Orris and Timble are just as lovely in their second adventure together. It can be read apart from the first book. But reading both books is, of course, preferred because both are delightful.
Premise/plot: Orris (the rat) and Timble (the owl) are unlikely friends perhaps, but quite close friends. Timble visits Orris in the barn every night--most nights at least. Orris looks forward to the visits. Perhaps more than Timble realizes. Their friendship is put into question--by Orris--when Timble is a little too inspired by one of Orris' stories. Can this friendship be mended?
My thoughts: I love Kate DiCamillo. I do. Most of her books are WONDERFUL and FANTASTIC. This one is no exception. It is the second in the series. Orris and Timble are just as lovely in their second adventure together. It can be read apart from the first book. But reading both books is, of course, preferred because both are delightful.
May 16, 2025
A continuation of the story about two unlikely friends, Orris and Trimble Lost and Found by Kate DiCamillo is just as delightful and funny as the first book. In Lost and Found the two friends are separated and Orris the rat - who I have to add has read many pages of the books left in the barn where he lives - struggles while waiting for Timble to return.
What I love about Kate DiCamillo’s books is I feel what each and everyone in the story is feeling. Her latest one is no exception and when Orris is missing his friend, I am, too.
This book celebrates unlikely friendships, the power of sharing stories and doing the right thing. How great it is that Orris and Timble are friends even though “owls and rats aren’t supposed to be friends.” How great it is that Orris can read and has learned lots of stories from books and tells them to Timble! And how great it is there’s a silver sardine can in the abandoned barn where Orris lives. “IMPERIAL SARDINE, said the label on the can. Make the good and noble choice!!” as a reminder.
The beautiful and detailed illustrations take you into the story even more. I love the nighttime scenes.
This is on the younger side of middle grade and perfect as an early chapter read or read aloud.
What I love about Kate DiCamillo’s books is I feel what each and everyone in the story is feeling. Her latest one is no exception and when Orris is missing his friend, I am, too.
This book celebrates unlikely friendships, the power of sharing stories and doing the right thing. How great it is that Orris and Timble are friends even though “owls and rats aren’t supposed to be friends.” How great it is that Orris can read and has learned lots of stories from books and tells them to Timble! And how great it is there’s a silver sardine can in the abandoned barn where Orris lives. “IMPERIAL SARDINE, said the label on the can. Make the good and noble choice!!” as a reminder.
The beautiful and detailed illustrations take you into the story even more. I love the nighttime scenes.
This is on the younger side of middle grade and perfect as an early chapter read or read aloud.
May 30, 2025
The unlikely friends are back.
In an old abandoned barn there lived a rat named Orris.
Orris has a comfortable little nook in the barn where he stores his treasures, including an Imperial Sardine can. The sardine king on the can comes in handy when Orris needs a listening ear, although the king never talks back.
An owl named Timble comes to visit Orris every night.
"By the light of the stars, by the light of the moon, I will always return," said Timble.
Orris is older and has plenty of stories to share with Timble. Then one night, no Timble. Orris struggles through a long night without his friend. What has happened? Will Timble return? Was it a mistake for a rat to befriend an owl in the first place?
As described in the title, this book is about friendship, trust, and finding your way. Once Orris finds his way back, he will have some stories of his own to share.
Early readers will love being able to read these short simple chapters on their own, but this beautiful book is meant to be shared.
In an old abandoned barn there lived a rat named Orris.
Orris has a comfortable little nook in the barn where he stores his treasures, including an Imperial Sardine can. The sardine king on the can comes in handy when Orris needs a listening ear, although the king never talks back.
An owl named Timble comes to visit Orris every night.
"By the light of the stars, by the light of the moon, I will always return," said Timble.
Orris is older and has plenty of stories to share with Timble. Then one night, no Timble. Orris struggles through a long night without his friend. What has happened? Will Timble return? Was it a mistake for a rat to befriend an owl in the first place?
As described in the title, this book is about friendship, trust, and finding your way. Once Orris finds his way back, he will have some stories of his own to share.
Early readers will love being able to read these short simple chapters on their own, but this beautiful book is meant to be shared.
May 24, 2025
Sometimes best friends, like Orris and Timble, a rat and an owl, face a challenge. Promises that have been made are not kept. One believes the friendship is over. Kate DiCamillo shows how it goes with this friendship of the two met earlier. They work it out but not without a bit of thinking and storytelling. Sometimes promises are broken without intention. But then, the small break between friends can mend. The mending happens through listening. Carmen Mok's illustrations fill in the emotions beautifully.
It would be great to read this aloud with a young one or a group to discuss friendship and how it relies on trust in each other. It's lovely!
Thanks to Candlewick for my copy!
It would be great to read this aloud with a young one or a group to discuss friendship and how it relies on trust in each other. It's lovely!
Thanks to Candlewick for my copy!
May 1, 2025
It seemed only fitting Kate DiCamillo’s latest Orris and Timble should be released on my birthday. Such a treat to get in the mail as a birthday gift to myself. 🤣
Orris and Timble are unlikely friends as they are indeed natural enemies— rat and owl. But they bond over kindness and stories. Their friendship is tested in this second installment as Timble grows and yearns to explore the outside world with his newly developed strength for flying.
He promises to return to Orris but days go by without Timble in sight and Orris is left wondering what’s happened to his friend.
This is such a tender and gentle story to explore themes of forgiveness, promises, fairy tales, and friendship.
Orris and Timble are unlikely friends as they are indeed natural enemies— rat and owl. But they bond over kindness and stories. Their friendship is tested in this second installment as Timble grows and yearns to explore the outside world with his newly developed strength for flying.
He promises to return to Orris but days go by without Timble in sight and Orris is left wondering what’s happened to his friend.
This is such a tender and gentle story to explore themes of forgiveness, promises, fairy tales, and friendship.
July 4, 2025
The second installment of Orris the rat and Timble the owl in this colorfully illustrated beginning chapter book. Timble is curious about the moon and stars and being able to fly to them but the well grounded Orris tells him that they are too far away. Timble promises that he will always come back to Orris but after a few days Timble does not come back and Orris becomes frustrated and upset, but Timble does come back and apologizes to Orris and tells the story of how he tried to reach the moon and the stars and got lost. A perfect read aloud for young children that can be read in one sitting. A great read for newly independent readers who like animal stories.
June 23, 2025
Orris and Timble are back for a second adventure. Readers see Timble growing up and Orris continuing to share adventures from the stories he has read. When Timble does not come one night, Orris decides Timble was not coming back though promising to do so. We see him clean up his space and curl up to ignore the world. When Timble returns, he stays until Orris comes to visit. Timble's story explains what happened and the two resume their friendship. I love how they take turns sharing stories at the end.
September 1, 2025
Another lovely friendship story about an unlikely pair, Orris, an old mouse, and Timble, a young owl. The two have a comfortable routine of spending every evening together with Orris telling stories about things he has read. Then one evening Timble doesn't show up. One evening becomes several until Orris believes Timble has forgotten him. Fortunately, it isn’t true and Timble comes back with a story of his own. A comforting easy chapter book with a timeless example of being a kind and patient friend.
"By the light of the stars, by the light of the moon, I will always return."
"By the light of the stars, by the light of the moon, I will always return."
June 5, 2025
The audiobook version of this second book of the tale of an unlikely friendship between an owl and a rat that meet up in a barn and swap tales.
It's a comforting story of their friendship and while I haven't seen the print versions (I would like to), the cadence and sweetness mixed with a little goofiness in the audio is just as pleasant.
It's a comforting story of their friendship and while I haven't seen the print versions (I would like to), the cadence and sweetness mixed with a little goofiness in the audio is just as pleasant.
July 19, 2025
I like this series of early chapter books by Kate DiCamillo, which feature Orris, an older rat, and Timble, a young owl. In this one Timble dreams big, disappears, and Orris realizes just how much he would miss him if he left forever. There is at least one more in this series that I have not read, which a friend gave my grandchildren, so I will have to follow this up by reading that one.
September 22, 2025
Timble the white owl has grown, and is now big.
Timble didn't come visit Orris the rat for a few nights. When he finally returned, he had his own story to tell Orris about how he got lost when he flew trying to reach the stars and moon.
Timble promised that "By the light of the stars, by the light of the moon, I will always return. "
March 23, 2025
EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is an excellent follow up to the first story, and readers will enjoy catching up with these friends. In this story they are separated, and Orris struggles during this wait. A lovely tale!
This is an excellent follow up to the first story, and readers will enjoy catching up with these friends. In this story they are separated, and Orris struggles during this wait. A lovely tale!
May 19, 2025
👦🏻reviews: this is definitely a wonderful early reader book about friendship and how to sustain the great relationship with friends. Kate DiCamillo and Carmen Mok are both superstars of writer and illustrator. Absolutely perfect for early readers and even I enjoyed this too.
June 16, 2025
4 stars
Friends Orris (a rat) and Timble (a young owl) met every night for a story from Orris' book collection. One night Timble does not come. It stretches to two nights. Orris is convinced their friendship is over. Timble returns! Now the friends' routine changes. Delightful!
Friends Orris (a rat) and Timble (a young owl) met every night for a story from Orris' book collection. One night Timble does not come. It stretches to two nights. Orris is convinced their friendship is over. Timble returns! Now the friends' routine changes. Delightful!
June 20, 2025
This author, I believe, writes for children. As an adult reader I find her work inspiring and reassuring. Children of course can, with the help of an adult, begin to appreciate the concepts. Your inner child and ‘adult’ will benefit from this author’s talents.
July 5, 2025
another great story from DiCamillo
I love how this author imbues every word, evert sentence with magic and huge care. every story has been like that. They leave you feeling better, and stronger, and just a better person.
I love how this author imbues every word, evert sentence with magic and huge care. every story has been like that. They leave you feeling better, and stronger, and just a better person.
July 14, 2025
Sweet friendship story between an owl and a rat continues in this 2nd book about Orris the rat and Timble the owl. Colored illustrations add to the appeal of this story for beginning readers of chapter books. “Make the good and noble choice” is a refrain everyone should learn.
July 31, 2025
Orris, the rat, and Thimble the owl are friends. Thimble visits Orris at the barn every night. But as Thimble grows and ventures out, Orris wonders if Thimble has left him forever. A tale of friendship through storytelling.
April 8, 2025
The second book in the Orris and Timble series. Just as wonderful as the first story with whimsical, lovely, engaging illustrations.
April 30, 2025
A sweet continuation of the story of two unlikely friends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews