THE PUPPETS OF SPELHORST, by Kate DiCamillo and Julie Morstad, Candlewick, Oct. 10, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 7-10)
The Puppets of Spelhorst, by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Julie Morstad, follows five puppets as they face circumstances beyond their control.
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. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick
Sometimes you pick up a book and you know immediately that there’s something special about it. That’s the case with The Puppets of Spelhorst.
The Puppets of Spelhorst is an original fairy tale set in three acts that oozes with magic and charm. From Kate DiCamillo’s lyrical prose to Julie Morstad’s are masterfully rendered pencil drawings.
DiCamillo perfectly realizes each of the puppets. Their dreams are bright and their hopes big. Their interactions with each other play out beautifully against the backdrop of “real” life. Here, there’s a lovely exploration of imagination that rings true to the characters and setting.
At 160 pages The Puppets of Spelhorst is the perfect size for middle readers. Most of the chapters are only a few pages, and the font is slightly larger. And illustrations appear with most turns of the page.
The Puppets of Spelhorst is the first of the Norendy Tales, a planned trio of novellas linked by place and mood. It’s an excellent read that will appeal to kids and grownups alike. I highly recommend it.
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