BIBLIOGRAPHY:

DiCamillo, Kate. 2003. The Tale of Despereaux. Ill. by Timothy Basil Ering. Cambridge, MA : Candlewick Press. ISBN: 9780763617226

PLOT SUMMARY:

This is a story of an unusually small mouse named Despereaux Tilling. He was born into a family that resides in a castle. Little Despereaux is far more interested in the music he hears, and the words that he finds printed across the pages of books than he is in scurrying about in search of food or to be nibbling the pages of the books he ponders. He is a large disappointment to his family; they wonder why he can’t be a normal mouse. His brother and sister try to teach him their tricks for navigating the castle undetected while on their quest for food. Despereaux tries to be interested, but instead discovers the Princess Pea and falls in love.

When it is discovered that Despereaux was seen talking with the King and his daughter, Princess Pea, the mouse council considers him too great a risk and sentences Despereaux to the rat infested dungeon, a death sentence for sure. His parents do nothing to save him and Despereaux is led to the dungeon by two hooded mice. When one of them orders him down the steps of the dungeon, Despereaux recognizes his brother’s voice. Fearful of the unknown, and realizing his family has abandoned him, Despereaux struggles to survive in the dungeon.

From here, Despereaux’s path crosses with the scheming rat Roscuro, and the doltishly naïve servant, Miggery Sow. Upon hearing their plans to kidnap Princess Pea, Despereaux begins a journey that tests his bravery, trust and his will to forgive.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

The Tale of Despereaux is delivered in narration style, and one truly has the feeling of having a story told to them. The narrator telling this tale has clever way of including the reader by posing a question and prompting the reader on.

“Can you imagine it? Can you imagine your father selling you for
a tablecloth, a hen, and a handful of cigarettes? Close your eyes
please, and consider it for just a moment. Done? I hope that the
hair on the back of your neck stood up as you thought of Meg’s
fate and how it would be if it were your own.”

The Narrator occasionally includes the reader, foreshadowing the next scene to unfold.

“But reader, there is no comfort in the word “farewell” even if you
say it in French. “Farewell” is a word that, in any language, is full
of sorrow. It is a word that promises absolutely nothing.”

This style works and leaves one wanting to turn the page and to find out what happens next.

Kate DiCamillo’s vivid descriptions bring the story to life. One can easily visualize the dungeon with its mucky floors and the sound of rats with long tails slithering around, teeth gnashing, waiting for their next victim. The author includes several challenging words within the story that can possibly be defined just by the events of the scene. An example being the use of the word perfidy to describe the broken trust Despereaux feels as his family turns against him. Readers may be inspired to take a moment and look up the definitions for words new to them.

The illustrations by Timothy Basil Ering are done in pencil and delicately capture the mood of the scenes depicted, adding more delight to the story.

This tale moves quickly and one is left with wanting more once the story ends.

AWARDS:

Newberry Medal Award 2004

EXCERPT REVIEWS:

Starred review, Booklist: “A fairy tale full of quirky, unforgettable characters, with twenty-four stunning black-and-white illustrations by Timothy Basil Ering.”

Children’s Literature: “Each character’s desires, hopes and fears combine in this marvelous questing fantasy. This is a tale made for reading aloud and family enjoyment.”

Kirkus Reviews: “And so unwinds a tale with twists and turns, full of forbidden soup and ladles, rats lusting for mouse blood, a servant who wishes to be a princess, a knight in shining-or, at least, furry-armor, and all the ingredients of an old-fashioned drama.”

CONNECTIONS:

• For more books by Kate DiCamillo try:

DiCamillo, Kate. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. ISBN: 9780763639877

DiCamillo, Kate. The Tiger Rising. ISBN: 9780763618988

DiCamillo, Kate. Because of Winn-Dixie. ISBN: 9780763616052

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