Shut up in a trunk by a taciturn old sea captain with a secret, five friends—a king, a wolf, a girl, a boy, and an owl—bicker, boast, and comfort one another in the dark. Individually, they dream of song and light, freedom and flight, purpose and glory, but they all agree they are part of a larger story, bound each to each by chance, bonded by the heart’s mysteries. When at last their shared fate arrives, landing them on a mantel in a blue room in the home of two little girls, the truth is more astonishing than any of them could have imagined. A beloved author of modern classics draws on her most moving themes with humor, heart, and wisdom in the first of the Norendy Tales, a projected trio of novellas linked by place and mood, each illustrated in black and white by a different virtuoso illustrator. A magical and beautifully packaged gift volume designed to be read aloud and shared, The Puppets of Spelhorst is a tale that soothes and strengthens us on our journey, leading us through whatever dark forest we find ourselves in.
Hardcover, 149 pages
Published October 10, 2023
by Candlewick Press
4/5 stars
As I slowly making my way through Kate DiCamillo's backlist, I came across this one, the start of a series. I am glad I had a print copy because the illustrations, thanks to Julie Morstad, were a wonderful addition.
This is a middle grade story however I think it would also be enjoyed by those of a younger age. As you can see from the cover, there are five puppets. Each tell their story which begins after being released from an old sea captain’s trunk.
These five characters are sold off and land in the home with two young girls. This is a book that had a lot of heart as each puppet had ambitions and unique personalities. They go on adventures while learning a lot of about themselves. It's a story of friendship, imagination and hope.
This is the first book in a trilogy with book 3 being released this fall.
This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book #13
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