Come closer, Reader, I have a tale to tell you.
It's a tale about a tale about a tail.
The author of this tale is Kate DiCamillo. You might know her book, Because of Winn Dixie.
But this isn't about that book, Reader. This is about another book. It's about the book that won her a John Newberry Medal and made her cry.
She cried when she won the medal. Not when she wrote the book. As far as I know.
You can learn more about her here: http://www.katedicamillo.com/about.html
I know nothing more about this author. I don't know her proclivities, her character, her habits or her religion. All I know, Reader, is that this author can write.
I mean, really write.
If you are interested in a story about a princess, a mouse and a bowl of soup then you will love this book, The Tale of Despereaux.
I adore this book. It is delicious, delectable, yummy and scrumptious (especially the soup part!). I think you and your kids will like it, too. That is, if you like stories about princesses, knights, castles, dungeons, mice and mean old rats.
This book has lovely spiritual overtones – the light of the castle overcoming the darkness of the dungeon, and most of all – the power of forgiveness and love.
It isn’t for very young children. But it was a delightful read-aloud for my audience of 1st – 10th graders. We laughed, we anticipated, we cried, and we cheered! It was a grand tale and we were ever so sorry it was over when it ended. We wanted to stay with our new-found friends, Despereaux, the Princess Pea, Miggery Sow and Cook, and go on more adventures with them.
If your younger child is scared of dungeons and mice and mean old rats, then you might want to wait to read this story. It’s an honest story. When something bad happens, the consequences are true. But it is, in my mind, Reader, only one of the reasons this book is destined to be a classic. It is one of the best books I've ever read aloud to children -- and trust me -- I've read a lot of classic books out loud to children!
Despereaux became very real to us. And for that, he gets to sit on my shelf forevermore, wielding his sword, (okay, his needle), and protecting the princess he so loves, forever and forever more.
But you must HURRY, Reader, to read this book, before the movie comes out in 2008 and ruins it for everyone! Do NOT watch the movie before you read this book! It is just too well written to miss out on. The author is one of the grandest weaver of tales for children – of the same quality as E.B. White and A. A. Milne – and you will want to expose your children to her gift!
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