Despereaux came
into the world with eyes open, looking at the light. This seemed very wrong to
the rest of the mouse family. From that day on he only continued to be more
different from the other mice. With his oversized ears and tiny body, Despereaux
didn't want to eat pages, he wanted to read them. He didn't want to scurry around,
he wanted to enjoy the light and the sounds. Once he put his eyes on Princess Pea,
he was in love. Despereaux would do anything for her. When he admits to talking
to Princess Pea, a human, he is sentenced to the dungeon for breaking the main
mouse code. Despereaux’s story overlaps and intertwines with that of a rat, Roscuro,
and a peasant girl, Miggery Sow. The reader gets to hear the story from each of
their points of view as the tale progresses. The rat, who also loved the light,
came to distaste it after falling in to the queen’s soup and killing her. He
decided it was time for him to go along with the rest of the rats and their evil
ways. Sadly, soup is outlawed, as it was the queen's favorite meal when she was
alive and the king thinks it will be too sad to have it now. No spoons. No soup.
No comfort food. No easy to make meals for those who don't have a lot of money.
When Miggery Sow comes to live at the castle, she wants to become a princess.
What will happen when the plot thickens and the princess may lose her crown?
Will Despereaux be able to survive the dungeon? Will the rat stay with his evil
ways? Will there be a happily ever after? Is soup ever going to be eaten again in the
kingdom? Read this unique fairytale to find out!
I have read quite a few books
by Kate DiCamillo. The Tale of Despereaux
is by far my favorite. I love fairytales, and this one has something for
everyone. There's action and adventure, with plenty of twists and turns. If you
like stories with love and heartache, then you'll be able to relate. If the reader pays attention, there's lots
of good advice sprinkled in. I love the development of the different characters
and it was wonderful to see Despereaux evolve. I applauded him for being who he was and not changing his ways
just to be accepted. I'd recommend this book to those in third grade
and up who like a book where story lines connect, and of course, anyone who
enjoys a good comforting bowl of soup! I would be upset if I could
never eat soup again, and I use spoons pretty regularly too!
Has anyone else read The Tale of Despereaux? Or have you
read another book by Kate DiCamillo? We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Happy Reading!
~L