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The Tale of Despereaux
WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL!
Kate DiCamillo introduces a hero for all time!
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...more
Hardcover, 272 pages
Published
August 25th 2003
by Candlewick Press
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Absolutely enchanting. Full of compassion, sweetness and dreamers, with exquisite word choice and delicate rhythms. The narrator's voice is like a comforting but sharply intelligent grandmother, pushing you to both see and feel with the best of yourself. I started to read this this this morning for work purposes, I finished it because I couldn't put it down.
Apr 30, 2008
Claire Greene
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
EVERYONE!!
I picked this book up on a whim in the Barnes & Noble because I liked the look of the cover and the jagged edges of the paper that gave it a "classic" feel. I was looking for a new bedtime book to read to my children - 2 and 6 at the time. We like to read a bigger book, one chapter each night - for bedtime stories. I read the description and thought it sounded like a good idea so I went ahead and bought it (which is REALLY unusual for me - I can be a cheapskate!) It is by far some of the bes...more
40 likes · like · see review
OK, so now that I've thought about what I really think about this book, I'm changing my rating from 3 stars to 2 stars. There was more that I didn't like than I liked. After hearing a lot good reports about this book, I think I was expecting something different. I liked the idea of the light versus dark. I liked the unlikely friendship between the mouse and the princess. I liked the forgiveness. And I liked that it ended up "happily ever after", for the most part.
I started out reading this book...more
I started out reading this book...more
25 likes · like · see review
I listened to the story on tape--the reading undoubtedly added to my enjoyment and appreciation of it.
9 likes · like · see review
Apr 10, 2011
jzhunagev
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Kids at heart!
Recommended to jzhunagev by:
the "Voice"
Seeing the Light
(A Book Review of Kate DiCamillo’s The Tale of Desperaux)
Despereaux Tilling is the most unusual mouse you’lll likely meet. Conspicously small with considerable large ears, he has always been seen as different, an outsider among his own — a mouse drawn to music, fascinated with stories, and breaks the strict rule of their kind by falling in love with a human, the Princess Pea.
Roscuro leads a normal, rotten rat life in the dungeon, his is a world of utter darkness. Until one day, w...more
14 likes · like · see review
Jul 27, 2008
Gloria
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Older children, younger teens
Recommended to Gloria by:
Teacher
Shelves:
young-adult
This book left me with the feeling that this story may not appeal to all readers. There were several important themes addressed in the story, yet little emotional attachment to the characters. The only character that many might relate to is Despereaux himself. He is ‘different’ both physically and emotionally from his peers which at first mostly works against him, though ultimately these unique qualities eventually save the day.
I did really appreciate the way this author drew in the reader in a...more
I did really appreciate the way this author drew in the reader in a...more
9 likes · like · see review
Moralistically preachy and the group consensus is "meh"
5 likes · like · see review
Dec 18, 2008
Suzanne
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Roald Dahl fans
Recommended to Suzanne by:
Laura Forde
I saw the upcoming movie previews and thought I should read the book. This edition is a slim volume with ragged edged paper and lovely charcoal illlustrations.
It certainly is an original work. Young Despereaux is the youngest mouse, born of a french mouse mother and father. He is the runt, small and undersized with big ears. He was born with his "eyes wide open". These ears allow him to hear things other mice don't hear and his eyes observes things other mice don't see. Thus the adventure beg...more
It certainly is an original work. Young Despereaux is the youngest mouse, born of a french mouse mother and father. He is the runt, small and undersized with big ears. He was born with his "eyes wide open". These ears allow him to hear things other mice don't hear and his eyes observes things other mice don't see. Thus the adventure beg...more
A perfect combination of sweet and dark. Or light and dark, would be a more fitting description, I suppose. And by that I don't just mean that there were good deeds and bad deeds, right and wrong and everyone learned a lesson. Everyone didn't learn a lesson and some people/rats/mice were bad, cowardly, or just plain stupid. This is nothing like Roald Dahl, but they share a quality that I very much appreciate, particularly in children's lit: they let you dislike the unlikeable. Everyone is not ni...more
Confession: I finished this book in one day. Why could I read so quickly? Definitely not because of my speed-reading capabilities! It’s because, despite being nearly 300 pages, it is short. :-)
I wouldn’t say it’s a truly compelling read (though it did win the Newbery Award), but it held my attention even if it truly was a book written for children. I read a lot of children’s and young adult books, but plenty of them are meaty enough that I don’t feel sheepish saying I've read them. This one … we...more
I wouldn’t say it’s a truly compelling read (though it did win the Newbery Award), but it held my attention even if it truly was a book written for children. I read a lot of children’s and young adult books, but plenty of them are meaty enough that I don’t feel sheepish saying I've read them. This one … we...more
2 likes · like · see review
A talking mouse falls in love with a beautiful princess, and, armed with only a needle, vows to rescue her from the clutches of an evil rat and a dull servant-girl. Admittedly, it sounds a bit (okay, very) trite. That was my mindset too, even after the librarian had gushed on and on about what a wonderful book it was (did she think I was going to read some LITTLE KIDS' fairytale?).
But two years ago, I was waiting backstage during a piano concert, bored out of my mind, when I found The Tale of De...more
But two years ago, I was waiting backstage during a piano concert, bored out of my mind, when I found The Tale of De...more
Yes, this book is a perfect Newberry winner.
Yes, I thought this was a good book. That is not to say, I always thought it was a real pleasure to read. I didn't. The darkness of the dungeons and of the stair and the life of Miggery Sow were not things I wanted to explore, and I didn't often come to this book wanting to delve back in.
I read this book to my kids, and the darkness was really rather dark. I was always surprised the darkness wasn't as dark to them as it was to me. Or, perhaps it was,...more
Yes, I thought this was a good book. That is not to say, I always thought it was a real pleasure to read. I didn't. The darkness of the dungeons and of the stair and the life of Miggery Sow were not things I wanted to explore, and I didn't often come to this book wanting to delve back in.
I read this book to my kids, and the darkness was really rather dark. I was always surprised the darkness wasn't as dark to them as it was to me. Or, perhaps it was,...more
2 likes · like · see review
Nov 06, 2008
Lara's
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Parents and 3rd-5th grade.
Recommended to Lara's by:
Jean O'Shea
Shelves:
tween-books
Synopsis
: Three anti-heroes embark on separate journey's that will lead each of them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and ultimately, into each other's lives.
Review : Each of the three main characters in this book share the common trait of being the odd one always looking in. Readers will enjoy the undertow of impossible hopes and dreams possibly coming true in this tale of Despereaux.
Being strange to look at, large footed, big eared, slow to catch on to what all other...more
Review : Each of the three main characters in this book share the common trait of being the odd one always looking in. Readers will enjoy the undertow of impossible hopes and dreams possibly coming true in this tale of Despereaux.
Being strange to look at, large footed, big eared, slow to catch on to what all other...more
Aug 18, 2008
Malbadeen
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Malbadeen by:
Sarah
Shelves:
childrens-young-adult
I love this book! I love, love, love this book! Which is something, because I don't typically love, love, love books and most certainly not books about mice. And I'm not a big reader of fantasy/fairy tales But this book: this book I LOVE!
I read the first few chapters of this book several times before actually reading it. I'd see it in the library (where I work) or at home (waiting to be read) or in a teachers classroom and I always felt compelled to re-read the beginning purely for the enjoyment...more
I read the first few chapters of this book several times before actually reading it. I'd see it in the library (where I work) or at home (waiting to be read) or in a teachers classroom and I always felt compelled to re-read the beginning purely for the enjoyment...more
4 likes · like · see review
May 30, 2008
Jon
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people who appreciate overwrought children's books.
Some children's books are wonderfully odd. Others are just odd.
The story of Desperaux (a mouse who doesn't just want to be a mouse) is told through the eyes of several different characters. As the stories weave in an out of each other, they draw closer together until the predictably improbably ending.
Unfortunately, the characters in the world of Desperaux are all two dimensional; we are repeatedly told how bad the bad guys/rats are, and how good the good guys/mice are, and how clumsy a clumsy...more
The story of Desperaux (a mouse who doesn't just want to be a mouse) is told through the eyes of several different characters. As the stories weave in an out of each other, they draw closer together until the predictably improbably ending.
Unfortunately, the characters in the world of Desperaux are all two dimensional; we are repeatedly told how bad the bad guys/rats are, and how good the good guys/mice are, and how clumsy a clumsy...more
7 likes · like · see review
A award winning book about a mouse, a love, a rat, and some soup.
4 likes · like · see review
The only mouse baby to survive the litter, his mother names him Despereaux, for all the sadness and despairs in the world. His ears are too big, his body too small, and his eyes too bright. “There’s something wrong with him,” his father claims. “He will be dead soon.”
But little Despereaux didn’t die. The smallest mouse who ever lived, he shocks the mouse community with his differences, especially his lack of interest in the things a mouse should show interest in. Despereaux is fascinated with th...more
But little Despereaux didn’t die. The smallest mouse who ever lived, he shocks the mouse community with his differences, especially his lack of interest in the things a mouse should show interest in. Despereaux is fascinated with th...more
Jun 02, 2007
MissCrystal
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
teachers, young readers
This is my all-time favorite book to read aloud to my classes. It's beautifully written, full of figurative language students can practice identifying, and is perfect for teaching theme and archetypes. My students hang on the edge of their seats to hear what's going to happen next to little Despereaux and the other wonderfully-written characters in this fairy tale-style adventure. The message of this book involves a love of learning and reading, which is, of course, great to sneak in wherever yo...more
This is the BEST BOOK EVER! This book is awesome because I learned to be brave. I also liked The Tale Of Despereaux because it has the rule of three. Another way I liked this book is because the author talks to me.
I learned to be brave because Despereaux, the mouse, saved Pea, a princess. I know it's weird for a mouse to save a princess but they were best friends and you don't just leave a friend behind. I also learned to be brave because Roscuro, a rat, went to light. Roscuro did that because...more
I learned to be brave because Despereaux, the mouse, saved Pea, a princess. I know it's weird for a mouse to save a princess but they were best friends and you don't just leave a friend behind. I also learned to be brave because Roscuro, a rat, went to light. Roscuro did that because...more
3 likes · like · see review
The Tale Of Despereaux is one of the funnies , sad , scary books I've read. I would recommend the Tale Of Despereaux because it has a little bit of everything. Each character has tow or three traits.You learn to forgive and forget the passed.
You should read Despereaux because it has a little bit of everything.It's funny because Botichelly says sarcastic thing and people take him so seriously. It's also funny when he says sarcastic in positive things like you'll never save her.It's scary because...more
You should read Despereaux because it has a little bit of everything.It's funny because Botichelly says sarcastic thing and people take him so seriously. It's also funny when he says sarcastic in positive things like you'll never save her.It's scary because...more
1 like · like · see review
”Tahukah dua hal yang berciri-ciri indah, kuat dan konyol?”
cinta dan maaf.
Dua ekor tikus yang berbeda perangai dibandingkan dengan tikus-tikus lainnya akan mengantarkan kita pada jawaban di atas.
Teruskanlah cerita ini, karena cerita ibarat cahaya. Dan bukankah kita memerlukan cahaya untuk menerangi dunia yang gelap ini.
cinta dan maaf.
Dua ekor tikus yang berbeda perangai dibandingkan dengan tikus-tikus lainnya akan mengantarkan kita pada jawaban di atas.
Teruskanlah cerita ini, karena cerita ibarat cahaya. Dan bukankah kita memerlukan cahaya untuk menerangi dunia yang gelap ini.
Pelajaran yang bisa diambil dari buku ini:
- Jangan mengatakan pada anak bahwa dia mengecewakan, hanya karena dia berbeda dari anak lainnya, seperti yang terjadi pada Despereaux.
- Jangan melakukan atau mengatakan hal2 yang menyakitkan hati orang lain, karena kita tidak tau dengan cara apa hatinya akan menyembuhkan diri, seperti yang terjadi pada Roscuro.
- Dengarkan dan pedulikan apa keinginan anak, jika tidak ingin anak kita tumbuh seperti Miggery.
- Bahwa kehilangan seseorang yang dicintai bisa m...more
- Jangan mengatakan pada anak bahwa dia mengecewakan, hanya karena dia berbeda dari anak lainnya, seperti yang terjadi pada Despereaux.
- Jangan melakukan atau mengatakan hal2 yang menyakitkan hati orang lain, karena kita tidak tau dengan cara apa hatinya akan menyembuhkan diri, seperti yang terjadi pada Roscuro.
- Dengarkan dan pedulikan apa keinginan anak, jika tidak ingin anak kita tumbuh seperti Miggery.
- Bahwa kehilangan seseorang yang dicintai bisa m...more
The tale of despreaux is awesome because It has a of adventure.If you are in third grade I think you should read the Tale of Desperaux.I would recommend this book because they each have a rule of three. I would not recommend this book for adults because I think it's mostly for kids because the words are not that hard to read. I would recommend this book because the adventure was really good. I would not recommend this book because. I would not recommend this book for adults because the book most...more
1 like · like · see review
Apr 10, 2008
Mugdha
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
people who like to laugh out loud
this story is so cute! it is about a little mouse.
the end
haha. no it is about a mouse, but a mouse who goes on a big adventure and if you dont laugh out loud while reading this book, then this is not for you.
the end
haha. no it is about a mouse, but a mouse who goes on a big adventure and if you dont laugh out loud while reading this book, then this is not for you.
This book was one of the best books i have read to date, that is why i just finished reading it for the second time. This book is about a little mouse who is in love with a princess. But they are seperated when Despereaux is sent to the dungeon. This book is so touching because one stong love is enough to rescue her and risk his life to do it. It has taught me to work hard for what you love even when another wall hits you, you push harder and don't stop. Also it has taught me that your apperance...more
An easy read, rather nice...Good for 8 to 10 year old group.
Soup saves the day!!
Soup saves the day!!
1 like · like · see review
"Reader, you must know that an interesting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform."
"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."
"Reader, do you think that it is a terrible thing to hope when there is really no reason to hope at all? Or is it (as the soldier said about happiness)...more
"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."
"Reader, do you think that it is a terrible thing to hope when there is really no reason to hope at all? Or is it (as the soldier said about happiness)...more
1 like · like · see review
Wah, satu lagi kisah dongeng yang konyol, sederhana, tapi luar biasa indah dari Kate DiCamillo~~
Beberapa renungan yang bisa saia tarik dari kisah ini:
1. Saia jadi sadar, terkadang (ato sering) kita berharap menjadi sesuatu yang bukan diri kita. Berharap kita adalah orang lain. Kita lupa bersyukur pada apa yang kita miliki, pada kelebihan2 kita, dan hanya fokus pada kelemahan2 kita. Kita ingin menjadi orang lain. Karena kita hanya melihat kelebihan2nya. Tapi benarkah orang lain itu begitu sempurn...more
Beberapa renungan yang bisa saia tarik dari kisah ini:
1. Saia jadi sadar, terkadang (ato sering) kita berharap menjadi sesuatu yang bukan diri kita. Berharap kita adalah orang lain. Kita lupa bersyukur pada apa yang kita miliki, pada kelebihan2 kita, dan hanya fokus pada kelemahan2 kita. Kita ingin menjadi orang lain. Karena kita hanya melihat kelebihan2nya. Tapi benarkah orang lain itu begitu sempurn...more
2 likes · like · see review
Apr 22, 2009
Stephanie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Stephanie by:
Suzette Bradford
Despereaux is a mouse, one of many in the castle, but he is different from the others. He was born with his eyes open (shocking!), his ears are too big (scandalous!) and he likes to read (unheard of!). Worse, he has fallen in love with Princess Pea and has even spoken to her. This is enough to get him banished to the dungeon where the evil rats dwell. This sets in motion a chain of events that will require Despereaux to be as brave as the knights he has read so much about in order to save the lo
...more
May 02, 2008
i am sorry for not being the girl you want andnot
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
today is the first day i got this book.i am on page 45.
i like reading this book because it talks about a mouse and how he starts to wonder around a castle he lived in with hes sister and brothers .on chapter one it talkes about a mouse who was born whos name was despereux the reason hes name is that is because his mom had some babbeys and evry time she had them they had died expects this one so the reason why she named him that is because she said she fells depressd and she thougth that the babe...more
i like reading this book because it talks about a mouse and how he starts to wonder around a castle he lived in with hes sister and brothers .on chapter one it talkes about a mouse who was born whos name was despereux the reason hes name is that is because his mom had some babbeys and evry time she had them they had died expects this one so the reason why she named him that is because she said she fells depressd and she thougth that the babe...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2014: Book Review | 4 | 7 | Jun 07, 2013 09:21pm | |
| To read or not to read! | 4 | 36 | Jun 07, 2013 12:18pm | |
| Class of 2014: My book | 2 | 7 | Feb 26, 2013 02:38pm | |
| Book recommendation | 1 | 14 | Feb 18, 2013 12:06pm | |
| reading | 1 | 6 | Feb 14, 2013 09:23am | |
| reading | 1 | 3 | Feb 14, 2013 09:23am |
Kate DiCamillo spent most of her childhood in the South, and moved to Minnesota when she was in her twenties. She was inspired to write Because of Winn-Dixie, her first novel, during a bout of homesickness one brutally cold winter. The book was an immediate success: it is a Newbery Honor Book, has won more than twenty-five state awards, and has been made into a popular family film. Kate DiCamillo’...more
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“There is nothing sweeter in this sad world than the sound of someone you love calling your name.”
—
622 people liked it
“Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark. Begin at the beginning. Tell Gregory a story. Make some light.”
—
209 people liked it
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I think my kiddie shelves are pretty badly organized. :( I need to fi...more
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