Bibliography
DiCamillo, Kate. 2003. The Tale of Despereaux. Ill. by Timothy Basil Ering. Cambridge: Candlewick Press. ISBN 0763617229
Plot Summary
Despereaux is an extremely small mouse, even for mouse standards, born in a castle where the Princess Pea lives. Despereaux is quite unlike the other mice; he quickly learns that he can read, he loves music, and above all he loves the princess. Events take place that cause soup to be banned, a rat to wish for light, a peasant girl to aspire to be the princess, and a kidnapping plot to be hatched. Despereaux must find the courage to do what he feels is right, even though he is a very small mouse in a very large castle.
Critical Analysis
The Tale of Despereaux is a modern fairy tale complete with a knight in shining armor; he just happens to be a small mouse. DiCamillo tells the story using an omniscient narrator that talks to the reader periodically throughout the book. Once she even directs the reader to look up a word (perfidy) in case they do not understand it based on the events in the story. This type of narration allows DiCamillo to insert reminders and additional information into the story, but it also can bring the reader away from the fantasy at some points.
The Tale of Despereaux is written in four "books," each telling the story of a separate character. The lives of Despereaux, Chiaroscuro (a rat), Miggery Sow (a peasant girl), and the Princess Pea intertwine throughout the four tales in an interesting way that, of course, leads to a "happily ever after."
The illustrations by Timothy Basil Ering are amazingly detailed pencil sketches in hundreds of shades of gray. The sketches of Miggory Sow and her cauliflower ears, especially, bring life to the character.
The elements of fantasy are found throughout The Tale of Despereaux. The animals and humans converse with each other several times in the story. Also, the theme of good versus evil is evident in the metaphor of light and darkness. The castle is bathed in light, and the dungeon, filled with prisoners and rats, sure signs of "evil" in the story, is completely dark.
Of course there is a hero as well, and he follows the path of many before him. Despereaux takes the long trek down the stairs from the safe and secure castle into the dark and dangerous dungeon more than once. He is faced with rats that wish to eat him and ultimately with saving the Princess Pea's life in the dungeon. And as is typical in fantasy, he is even briefly helped by a protective, elder, mouse. Hovis, the threadmaster, gives Despereaux advice as well as a spool of red thread to use to lead his path back from the dungeon and needle for protection. Eventually he makes his way back upstairs to the castle, and there is a standard "happily ever after" ending.
Review Excerpts
Booklist "Forgiveness, light, love, and soup. These essential ingredients combine into a tale that is as soul stirring as it is delicious. Despereaux, a tiny mouse with huge ears, is the bane of his family's existence. He has fallen in love with the young princess who lives in the castle where he resides and, having read of knights and their ladies, vows to "honor her."...And as with the best stories, there are important messages tucked in here and there, so subtly that children who are carried away by the words won't realize they have been uplifted until much later. Ering's soft pencil illustrations reflect the story's charm."
School Library Journal "In her observations of the political machinations and follies of rodent and human societies, she reminds adult readers of George Orwell. But the unpredictable twists of plot, the fanciful characterizations, and the sweetness of tone are DiCamillo's own. This expanded fairy tale is entertaining, heartening, and, above all, great fun."
Connections
This would be a great read aloud book for an elementary classroom.
They are making a movie and Tracey Ullman is the voice of Mig. This should be great...I hope.
DiCamillo also wrote The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and Because of Winn-Dixie.
http://www.katedicamillo.com
http://www.edwardtulane.com
This site has several links to information on the author, illustrator, and lesson plans.
http://eduscapes.com/newbery/04a.htm
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