Orris and Timble: Lost and Found: (A Sweet and Funny Early Chapter Book About Friendship, Trust, and Finding Your Way) by Kate DiCamillo and illustrator Carmen Mok is a sequel of Orris and Timble: The Beginning. It has many elements and pieces from book one, though we see more of Timble’s journey this time. However, when I started it I thought I was reading book one again. This took me out of the moment for a while. And, in fact, had to back track while reading more than once, even starting all over. Therefore, I recommend getting books one and two to read together or re-read volume one.
Yet, it is still a lovely read. DiCamillo’s style is loud and proud as our two friends come back for more good times. The illustrations of Mok’s are fantastically colorful and detailed. They really pop and allow the reader to see the story as well as read it and/or have it read aloud. These images are what make the story for me. You see Timble, a white owl, soaring over the land. You can read these images as much as the text. The colors are both vibrant and relaxing, giving you both adventure and action and are soothing.
The messages of the books are good, without being too heavily pushed. Friendship, coming of age, dealing with changes, growing up all come to life on the page. And yet, the story is straight forward about how an owl flew off one day, got lost and found their way home again. I feel this works best as a one-on-one read, or as a solo read for ages five to around age nine.
