The Tale of Despereaux
by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
From Goodreads:
A brave mouse, a covetous rat, a wishful serving girl, and a princess named Pea come together in Kate DiCamillo’s Newbery Medal–winning tale.
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. What happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.
My thoughts on this book:
From the moment Despereaux the mouse was born, everyone knew he was different. Born extremely small with strange ears and the only survivor of the litter, his parents weren’t sure if he could stay alive. As time goes on, Despereaux becomes quite a curious little critter and begins to question the world around him. He discovers a love for music and falls in love with a lovely princess named Pea. The issue is that Despereaux has gone against the rules put forth by the mouse council by showing himself to the princess, and now he must deal with the consequences by spending time in the dark dungeon below the castle. He’s been ordered by the mouse council, including his father, and there’s no turning back.
He considered fainting. He deemed it the only reasonable response to the situation in which he found himself, but then he remembered the words of the threadmaster: honor, courtesy, devotion, and bravery.
“I will be brave,” thought Despereaux. “I will try to be brave like a knight in shining armor. I will be brave for Princess Pea.”
The book is told in four parts and the entire book setting takes place at the castle in the kingdom of Dor. The whole book is narrated by an omniscient narrator whom isn’t related to the story, but remains the storyteller throughout. The first part begins with Despereaux and his family. The second covers a rat named Chiaroscuro (Roscuro) who is very confused and on the verge of becoming evil. The third book introduces a new character named Miggery Sow, a young girl who was abandoned by her father and wants nothing more than to become a princess just like Pea. The fourth and last part of the book is when all of these characters come together for the climax of the story and I have to say that their fate is never predictable.
Other characters include: King Phillip (Pea’s father-ruler of Dor), a jailer, a cook, and an evil rat in the dungeon named Botticelli. We honestly loved all of the characters. Each one had their own story and were well-developed. Despereaux was hands down my favorite character. Regardless of his size, he’s very hopeful and courageous. His fear is always present, but his perseverance prevails. Miggery Sow was my son’s favorite and she was likable with her eventual change of heart. We loved her language and her repeated use of the word “Gor!”. My daughter’s favorite character was Roscuro because you’re never totally sure who’s side he’s going to take.

We found the story charming as it reads like a fairy tale. It was a little dark at times, but not too bad for children. I was a little nervous once I realized that the book was told in separate parts. You get so invested in the first part and can’t wait to find out what will unfold, and then there’s the switch to a new book with new characters. I thought that format might derail us, but it didn’t. We appreciated the sketched illustrations which enhance the story and bring the characters to life. There’s a lot going on between characters and the action makes this a real page-turner. There were twists we didn’t see coming and there was no telling what direction the story would take. I always love the themes in Kate DiCamillo’s books and this story includes themes of love, revenge, courage, family and forgiveness.
Overall, Kate DiCamillo has woven another wonderful story for children that even adults can enjoy. I’m so glad I purchased this for our home library because I know it’s one that we’ll reread in the future!
5*****
Find this book on Goodreads and Amazon:
- Age Range: 7 – 10 years
- Grade Level: 2 – 5
- Series: Tale of Despereaux
- Hardcover: 272 pages
- Publisher: Candlewick; 1st ed edition (August 25, 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 9780763617226
- ISBN-13: 978-0763617226
I need to get this for my 7-year old nephew. Thanks for featuring!
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Wonderful! I hope he loves it! Thank you. ❤
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Great review, Mischenko! And I love the names of the characters. Who wouldn’t love Despereaux Tilling, Princess Pea, and Miggery Sow?
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Thanks, Julia! I love the character names too. They’re really unique, aren’t they? ☺❤🎄
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What an adorable story! I’m glad you liked it so much! 💖💖
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Thanks! ☺💚❤💚
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I watched this movie. I didn’t know it was based on the book until I read your review. Movie is more or less similar to what you said in review combining all four parts. I liked the movie. Great review!
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We love this one! ♥ I’m so glad that you all enjoyed it! ❤
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Thanks, Steph! Glad you guys liked it as well. ❤💚❤🎄
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You’re welcome! We really enjoy her books although we haven’t read them all (I have except her newest, but we haven’t read all of them together though)! We will though! 🙂 ❤
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We enjoyed the newest one! We read it a few weeks ago. I was very emotional over it, but we all felt different about it. We still have a handful of her books to read. I’m so glad you guys enjoy her books too. She’s such a fantastic storyteller. I wish I had her books when I was a kid. ❤ Let me know your thoughts on Louisiana’s Way Home when you get to it! ☺🎅
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I love DiCamillo books!
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Me too! ☺❤
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My grandson would love this! Thanks for the great review and bringing this book to our attention.
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Thanks for checking it out, Marjorie! I hope he loves it. 💚🎄💚
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Love this book! (and have a hardcover copy) I’ve always had a penchant for sweetly illustrated mice.
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We had a hardcover copy from the library and I preferred reading out of it with the larger pages. Glad you love it too! 💚❤💚
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Great review Michenko! My nieces and nephews have watched the movie so many times, I think it’s time they read the book😊. So I will be adding it to my shopping book list.
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We haven’t seen the movie yet and I can’t wait. I’m glad they loved the movie and hope they love the book just as much. Thanks for your comment! 💚❤💚
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This is such a delightful story. You are right on that it reads like a fairytale. This is one that I have in the box to read to my grandson when he is a bit older. Great review Jen.
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Thanks, Carla! I’m so glad you love it too. I hope he loves it too. That’s definitely something to look forward to! So many great reads to share. 💚❤💚
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There are, the old ones I have saved and the new ones that are being written all the time.
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A fabulous book!
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☺
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I just read this one over the summer. It was such a sweet story.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed! ❤
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My favorite parts were when she would address the reader directly. I thought that was pretty cute!
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Yes! We loved the narration as well. ❤❤❤
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Reblogged this on The Biblioanthropologist.
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Thank you!
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Lovely review! This sounds like a great book for my sister’s storytelling! She films herself reading books for our niece and nephews on the East Coast.
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How cool! I agree this would be a great one. ❤💚❤ Thanks!
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