The Puppets of Spelhorst
Kate DiCamillo
Verdict: ✦✦✦✦✦
Touching, gentle, and wise, this is a lovely, quick book perfect for classroom reading or storytime at home.
What is it about?
Shut up in a trunk by a taciturn old sea captain with a secret, five puppets — 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.
Our take:
At just 160 pages, and beautifully illustrated in pencil by Julie Morstad, this book packs a lovely little punch of emotion, wisdom, and a touch of gentle humor. Better yet, it includes a built-in performance aspect — five puppets, each with a distinct voice and personality — discussing their wishes and desires, adventuring together, and eventually being put in a play — making it the perfect book to share and read aloud in a variety of settings. Have fun with the voices, or hand it to young middle grade readers to read on their own. Discussion avenues are many, as the book is filled with subtle asides and hints at larger stories.
Perfect for:
Young readers ages 7+, especially more introspective readers, curious to decode the subtleties of the story. The brevity and clear yet multilayered writing also lend themselves particularly well to a classroom or read-aloud setting.
Conversation starters:
If you could be any of the five puppets of the story, which one would you choose? Why?
Early in the book, the rag-and-bone man sings about how the things you give away tell him who you are. How can the things we give away show others who we are?
Why do you think Spelhorst collected the puppets?
If you owned the puppets, would you keep them safe on a shelf or cause mischief with them? What kind of adventures would you have them go on?
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