The first volume in a promised early reader trilogy. The first time I read this book I was sort of let down, mostly, I think, because I have such high expectations for a Kate DiCamillo book. However, I came to appreciate its simplicity more after the second and third reading and cherished it after the fourth reading. First of all, the wonderful illustrations by Mok are adorable and endearing. This is essentially a retelling of Aesop’s tale “The Lion and the Mouse.” Orris the rat lives alone in an old barn surrounded by his treasures, until the day his solitude is disrupted by a loud screech from a small owl  caught in a mouse trap. Inspired by the label on his sardine can to “make the good and noble choice” he reluctantly rescues the owl, despite the fact that owls and rats are natural enemies. Timble the owl and Orris the rat become friends by sharing stories and a gift of butterscotch in shiny gold wrapper. Short chapters and full-color illustrations make this book a great choice for a first chapter book, whether shared aloud or independently by a developing reader. Readers will look forward to seeing what the next adventures will be for these two unlikely friends.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library