The Puppets of Spelhorst (B&N Exclusive Edition) by Kate DiCamillo
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Web ID: 1745252012 months ago
Beautiful Story
The story is beautiful! The interaction between the puppets and the real world reminded me of lessons to take in and how to approach life when things don’t go the way it’s planned. A must read for kids AND ADULTS!!!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
1 year ago
from Niwot, CO
DiCamillo's first in a new trilogy is fantastic
This author is so creative as she continues to bring us totally different books, but each is so utterly amazing be it “Mercy Watson”, “Tale of Despereaux”, “Because of Winn Dixie” or any of her numerous others. This new one is no exception. A box of puppets ends up with two young girls and the lives of the puppets are forever changed. The book, which is the first in a trilogy called The Norendy Tales, begins with this: Once, there was a king. And a wolf. And a girl with a shepherd’s crook. And a boy with arrows and a bow. And also, there was an owl. The king had a beard made of human hair. The wolf’s teeth were bared in a snarl. The girl wore a green cloak. The arrows in the boy’s quiver were sharp enough to prick a finger. As for the owl, his feathers were real. With some humor and some sadness, this author has created yet another classic.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
1 year ago
from Antelope, CA
A wonderful surprise
An ancient sea captain buys a trunk with a set of puppets — a girl, a boy, a wolf with very sharp teeth, a snowy owl, and a king. The captain props the girl puppet on his desk and talks to her while he writes a letter that he then puts in the trunk. The puppets talk to each other, and each has its own story and its own dreams. After the captain dies, the trunk and puppets are sold to the rag-and-bone man who sings a song as he sells his goods. The trunk is opened and a young man peers in. He buys the puppets, closes the trunk, and the puppets wonder what their next adventure will be. When the trunk is next opened, two little girls, Martha and Emma, appear above the puppets. Emma declares they will put on a play. Martha seems quite fascinated with the ferocious wolf. The wolf, who frequently reminds the other puppets she has very sharp teeth, is quite happy to be thought of as ferocious. The puppets are all propped up on the mantle piece of a blue room, and one thing after another terrible and frightening thing happens to the various puppets. They know their destiny is something great that will happen to them together, but they aren’t sure they will ever be together again! Kate DiCamillo Julie Morstad When I first got this book, I assumed it was a chapter book, and maybe it is. It is short — 160 pages — and has a lot of brilliant illustrations throughout by Julie Morstad that will help to keep readers engaged. But it is so rich and layered, that I don’t believe emerging readers will quite get it. They will love it, but there is so much to it that I can only hope they will come back to it over and over through the years and find more on each reading. It’s that kind of a book. Of course, Kate DiCamillo’s deft touch and gorgeous writing will make this story (that feels much like a fairy tale) a favorite of most who read it. And people of all ages will love it. I know I did. And I know I will read it again and again and enjoy it each time. I didn’t mention the music that runs through the story, but it is there. I honestly can see this being turned into a musical on Broadway. Find yourself a copy. It is very much worth your time.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
2 years ago
from New York
Magical
My 7 year old is loving this and so am I! A fairy tale beautifully written!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
2 years ago
from In books
A tale of truth and wonder and sorrow
“We must contain stories upon stories, stories without end.” Spelhorst was a sea captain who lived above a tailor shop. It may seem odd that an old man with no family would purchase a set of puppets but one of them reminds him of someone. A king, a wolf, a girl, a boy and an owl. A king who dreams of having his own kingdom. A wolf who talks about their teeth. A lot. They are very sharp, after all. A girl who knows a song. A boy who wants to do something important. An owl who longs to fly. Together they have a story to tell. “We will tell a tale of truth and wonder and sorrow” I’m becoming more and more convinced that the only stories Kate DiCamillo can write are those that I love. I’ve yet to find one I haven’t adored. She invites me into her imagination. She introduces me to characters who become real to me, even when they’re puppets. I smile and get misty eyed. My heart warms and my curiosity engages. I feel hope. “May you always look upon the moon and the stars and the sun with wonder. May you journey out into the great wide world. And wherever you go, may you love without regret - for that is the greatest glory there is.” Is it any wonder I never want to leave the worlds Kate DiCamillo creates? Thank you so much to Edelweiss and Candlewick Press for the opportunity to read this book.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com