Publishers Weekly
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The spirits of Frog and Toad are alive and well in this moving and funny first volume in an early reader trilogy by DiCamillo (Ferris), which chronicles the unlikely blossoming friendship between a cynical rat and a curious, naive owl. Orris the rat is perfectly content living safe and alone in his cozy barn nest where a treasured sardine can advertises, “Make the good and noble choice!!” But Orris’s peace is shattered when a fluffy white owl with shiny yellow eyes gets caught in a barn-floor mousetrap and screeches for help. Conflicted about aiding his natural predator, Orris grudgingly (“For the love of Pete”) heeds the sardine can’s motto and embarks on a heart-pounding quest to free the ensnared owl, Timble. Orris is not only a doer of good deeds, he’s a gifted storyteller to boot, and both protagonists learn to trust in the easy rhythm and happy feelings brought about by sharing tales with a friend. DiCamillo expertly wraps humor, kindness, the courage that purpose ignites, and a love of story into a concise, welcoming package. Quiet watercolor-and-pencil scenes by Mok (Cone Dog) are rendered in shadowy nighttime grays, blacks, and browns that crisply contrast Timble’s bright plumage. Ages 5–8. (Apr.)

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

In this opener to a planned trilogy, a mousetrap nailed to a barn floor brings a solitary old rat and a story-loving owl together. Orris the rat seems quite comfortable nested amid his gathered treasures, which include a special marble, a cozy red velvet slipper, and a sardine can with the phrase “Make the good and noble choice!!” That pesky moral imperative proves its worth when, after crawling out to investigate a cry for help, Orris finds himself, against his better judgment, negotiating with a trapped young owl named Timble by telling him part of the story of the Lion and the Mouse and then actually helping to free the owl’s trapped claw. Afterward, to his surprise and pleasure, not only does Orris remain uneaten but Timble reappears with both a butterscotch candy as a thank-you gift and a request for more stories. Though DiCamillo only hints at the feelings of loneliness, terror, relief, and joy concealed beneath Orris’ crotchety exterior, readers will see these emotions clearly enough in the sparely written narrative. Mok does the same with her nocturnal views of the hunched, drably hued little rat lounging in his slipper or tiptoeing gingerly over a shadowy wooden floor strewn with tufts of hay toward a huge, brilliantly white, initially terrifying foe who turns out to be young, scared, and not at all as predatory as his appearance suggests. A simple tale about looking beneath surfaces that’s as sweet as butterscotch candy. (Early chapter book. 7-9) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Within a wall of an abandoned barn, Orris the rat has made his home. Among his prized possessions is a sardine can decorated with an image of a sardine king and the words “Make the good and noble choice!” These sage words echo in Orris’ mind when a young snowy owl (Timble) flies into the barn, gets his foot caught in a mousetrap, and cries out for help. Though fearful of the owl’s talons, Orris cannot ignore the king’s command. Recalling Aesop’s fable "The Lion and the Mouse" as he pries open the mousetrap, Orris frees Timble, who flies off only to quickly return to hear the fable in full. Thus, DiCamillo sets the stage for an unlikely friendship and a new early chapter-book series grounded in kindness and a love of storytelling. Her short chapters are wonderfully illustrated by Mok, whose gouache, colored pencil, and graphite artwork lends endearing details and warmth to the story. Young readers will look forward to seeing what adventures are in store for this darling duo.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Will this be popular? Duh! Twice a Newbery medalist, DiCamillo knows how to tap into readers' hearts, no matter their age.