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Available
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Fic DiC
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Publication
Candlewick (2023), 160 pages
Description
From master storyteller Kate DiCamillo comes an original fairy tale--with enchanting illustrations by Julie Morstad--in which five puppets confront circumstances beyond their control with patience, cunning, and high spirits. 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.… (more)
Awards
Minnesota Book Awards (Finalist — Middle Grade Literature — 2024)
CCBC Choices (2024)
Nerdy Book Award (Middle Grade Fiction — 2023)
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best: Kids (Fiction for Younger Readers — 2023)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2023
Physical description
160 p.; 8.06 inches
User reviews
LibraryThing member blbooks
First sentence: There was once an old sea captain who lived in a small room above a tailor shop. The captain's name was Spelhorst, and he had no wife, no children, no family. He was alone in the world and took his meals at a cafe down the street from the tailor shop. There, the old man would sit at
Premise/plot: The Puppets of Spelhorst is an unusual, odd novel for children. [Is it really for children? Or is it for adults who love children's books???] It stars old puppets--a king, a wolf, a boy, a girl, and an owl. These puppets are mostly forgotten and 'unwanted.' An old sea captain buys them all--though he only wants the girl puppet with the violet eyes. The toy shop owner is insistent that the puppets have a great story to tell and must remain together. The captain dies that very night, and the puppets fate remains unknown....and they know it. Eventually the trunk of puppets finds its way into a new home--with children--and one of the girls is desperate to write and perform a play for all the puppets. The sister is less sure. Many misadventures occur that threaten this 'great story' from being performed. But all obstacles eventually are overcome...but is this great play the beginning or end???
My thoughts: This one is decidedly odd or eccentric. I think it is theme-driven perhaps. And since it takes a special kind of child reader to discern wisely what themes are [in the first place] and what the main theme of this one is, I don't know that children will "get" this one. Will adults get it? Probably they have a better chance of putting in the effort to decode the deeper themes and meanings. On the surface, sure, it clearly is celebrating words and stories. But I think it goes beyond that. Yet, for me, it didn't quite work. The characters were eccentric but not deeply or richly fleshed out. The plot seemed intentionally and purposefully random. Misadventures are a good word perhaps. I never settled into the text and felt WOW this is home. Perhaps readers are never meant to. The characters are self-aware to know that they may never fulfill their great destinies and their stories may never be realized or told. One character does have great hope. And perhaps that too plays into the greater theme of this one?
It isn't action-packed enough to be a classic adventure or quest story. I couldn't personally decipher it as a fable.
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a table and stare past everything and everyone as if he were on the prow of a ship, looking out to sea.Premise/plot: The Puppets of Spelhorst is an unusual, odd novel for children. [Is it really for children? Or is it for adults who love children's books???] It stars old puppets--a king, a wolf, a boy, a girl, and an owl. These puppets are mostly forgotten and 'unwanted.' An old sea captain buys them all--though he only wants the girl puppet with the violet eyes. The toy shop owner is insistent that the puppets have a great story to tell and must remain together. The captain dies that very night, and the puppets fate remains unknown....and they know it. Eventually the trunk of puppets finds its way into a new home--with children--and one of the girls is desperate to write and perform a play for all the puppets. The sister is less sure. Many misadventures occur that threaten this 'great story' from being performed. But all obstacles eventually are overcome...but is this great play the beginning or end???
My thoughts: This one is decidedly odd or eccentric. I think it is theme-driven perhaps. And since it takes a special kind of child reader to discern wisely what themes are [in the first place] and what the main theme of this one is, I don't know that children will "get" this one. Will adults get it? Probably they have a better chance of putting in the effort to decode the deeper themes and meanings. On the surface, sure, it clearly is celebrating words and stories. But I think it goes beyond that. Yet, for me, it didn't quite work. The characters were eccentric but not deeply or richly fleshed out. The plot seemed intentionally and purposefully random. Misadventures are a good word perhaps. I never settled into the text and felt WOW this is home. Perhaps readers are never meant to. The characters are self-aware to know that they may never fulfill their great destinies and their stories may never be realized or told. One character does have great hope. And perhaps that too plays into the greater theme of this one?
It isn't action-packed enough to be a classic adventure or quest story. I couldn't personally decipher it as a fable.
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LibraryThing member froxgirl
As lovely a tale as we could expect from the outstanding Kate DiCamillo, author of so many memorable children's and YA stories. This one, the first in a series, features puppets - a king, a she-wolf, an owl, a girl, and a boy. They travel from a peddler's cart to a home and each have dreams to
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fulfill and adventures to pursue. The illustrations are so incredible that they actually hurt your heart. It is the perfect gift for any child (but I think especially girls) who loves to be read to and to eventually read on her own. Show Less
LibraryThing member JulieStielstra
I recently moved to another part of the country, a long-planned, much-desired relocation. When I saw the announcements of Kate DiCamillo's newest book, I immediately checked my new local library system for a copy. ONE copy, in a library that would not lend it outside their own town limits. Not even
I still dislike e-books. But only a few pages (screens?) in, the tears were seeping over the quiet, lonely death of an old sea captain. A little wolf was obsessing persistently and pathetically about the sharpness of her teeth. An owl "intoned" portentous phrases. (One of the many things I love about DiCamillo: she is not afraid to write words like "intoned" and "winsome.") A boy sharply chides the wolf; a king pronounces on his kingly demands; and a sensible, clear-sighted girl abides with them all. Each one of them has dreams and fears but lacks the ability to act on them. Things happen TO them that they did not expect and cannot control, even when they think they can, and peril abounds. But other things they did not expect happen to them; succor comes from surprising places, and may give them some of what they have dreamed of, or teach them lessons that will serve them. And when I think of it, isn't this what children know about? Being filled with curiosity and wonder, and yet powerless to do much to shape their own lives? And learning hard lessons - and good ones - and finding out that what seemed terrifying may in fact bring great value and reward? That sometimes we choose wrongly and pain will follow? And the surpassing joy of a completely unexpected blessing?
Every single chapter wrought that seep of tears, and a lump-in-the-throat smile. I thought Edward Tulane was my favorite DiCamillo. But this one wins. Thank you, Kate.
And I have ordered a hard copy through bookshop.org, because it's worth it. And then some.
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on order anywhere else. Well, it WAS available as an e-book. I don't like e-books. They tire my eyes, the lighting is uncomfortable. But if I wanted to read it, that was my only choice. So I downloaded it.I still dislike e-books. But only a few pages (screens?) in, the tears were seeping over the quiet, lonely death of an old sea captain. A little wolf was obsessing persistently and pathetically about the sharpness of her teeth. An owl "intoned" portentous phrases. (One of the many things I love about DiCamillo: she is not afraid to write words like "intoned" and "winsome.") A boy sharply chides the wolf; a king pronounces on his kingly demands; and a sensible, clear-sighted girl abides with them all. Each one of them has dreams and fears but lacks the ability to act on them. Things happen TO them that they did not expect and cannot control, even when they think they can, and peril abounds. But other things they did not expect happen to them; succor comes from surprising places, and may give them some of what they have dreamed of, or teach them lessons that will serve them. And when I think of it, isn't this what children know about? Being filled with curiosity and wonder, and yet powerless to do much to shape their own lives? And learning hard lessons - and good ones - and finding out that what seemed terrifying may in fact bring great value and reward? That sometimes we choose wrongly and pain will follow? And the surpassing joy of a completely unexpected blessing?
Every single chapter wrought that seep of tears, and a lump-in-the-throat smile. I thought Edward Tulane was my favorite DiCamillo. But this one wins. Thank you, Kate.
And I have ordered a hard copy through bookshop.org, because it's worth it. And then some.
Show Less
LibraryThing member foggidawn
A girl, a boy, a king, an owl, and a wolf hang together in a toy shop window: intricately made puppets. One day, the clear violet eyes of the girl puppet catch the attention of an old sea captain, who buys the whole set because the toy seller won’t separate them. They are all, he insists, in a
This is very much a Kate DiCamillo book, with lovely writing and deep themes running through the fabric of the story. I liked it better than some of her books but not as much as others. It felt ever so slightly unfinished to me, but that may be because it indicates that it’s the first part of a series. Fans of this author should certainly take note.
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story together. The puppets are passed from one person to another upon the sea captain’s death, until they come to the home of two little girls, where they will have more adventures, both together and separately.This is very much a Kate DiCamillo book, with lovely writing and deep themes running through the fabric of the story. I liked it better than some of her books but not as much as others. It felt ever so slightly unfinished to me, but that may be because it indicates that it’s the first part of a series. Fans of this author should certainly take note.
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LibraryThing member walterqchocobo
This is a wonderfully written book by Kate DiCamillo that is wonderfully illustrated. Both children and adults can appreciate the story and message.
LibraryThing member bookappeal
DiCamillo gently builds several life lessons into a short tale of five puppets. Using repetition, sly humor, and stark pencil illustrations, this fable has a lovely old-world feel. The ending should inspire conversation between children and adults who read this story together.
LibraryThing member ecataldi
A charming tale with absolutely wonderful illustrations. An old sea captain sees some whimsical puppets in the window of a store and takes them home. One puppet in particular catches his eye. When he goes home all he can do is stare at her and cry. The next morning the landlord discovers that he
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has died and the puppets start another journey. The puppets know that they are a set and they are part of a story. The problem is they don't know what their story is or what their role should be. There is a young girl, a hunstmen, a wolf, an owl, and a king. Exceptionally illustrated and told. A tale i will gladly read to my daughter. Show Less
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Pages
160