Title: The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Publication Information: Candlewick (April 11, 2006), 272 pps.
Genre: Fiction/Children’s Books/Literature/Fairy Tales
Explanation/Summary:
From the back cover:
Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other’s lives. And what happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.
Analysis and Evaluation:
Did the author achieve his or her purpose?
Absolutely. This is a charming tale with a beautiful message.
Is the writing effective, powerful, difficult, beautiful?
The writing is beyond beautiful. It is easy to see why this book was selected to be the 2004 Newberry Award Winner. The author masterfully crafts three individual stories of a mouse, a rat, and a servant girl and then spins the characters into a lovely tale that encompasses them all.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the book?
The strength is, no doubt, the beautiful, descriptive writing. And, I know it’s kind of cheesy, but I really like the asides that were addressed directly to the reader.
The weakness is having characters speak the Lord’s name in vain. I read the book aloud to my children, so I changed the expression to “Goodness!” For now, I wouldn’t want my boys to read this on their own. When they are older, perhaps.
What is your overall response to the book? Did you find it interesting, moving, dull?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My boys enjoyed it, as well. We saw the movie when it was in theaters, and Woody was able to recall differences between the book and the screen.
Would you recommend it to others?
Yes, with reservations. It truly irks me that I have to say this (because I wish the author would have used a different expression), but I feel I must say – if your children are young read it to them and change the necessary words. If they are older, talk to them about the language they will see, and make sure they know your views on it.
Grade: B
Other Notes:
This was on the list for my
Spring Reading Thing. Another book done! Almost finished with the list!
Your book reviews are so helpful! I’m going to look for this at the library–thank you for your tips on the wording.