Tuesday, October 2, 2007

BOOK: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

How cute is this book? A classic fairy tale, narrated wonderfully, being the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread.
This was the Newbery Award winner from 2004, and I would think it is destined to be a classic book.
I loved the narration, as the Reader is spoken to during the story in the tradition of The Princess Bride, warning that bad things are coming, and advising looking up a word like 'perfidy'* as it comes along.

I chose this book for the Something About Me Challenge as recommended by booklogged, and she has chosen wonderfully.

She said in chosing it: Sometimes I feel the size of a mouse trying to conquer problems that are so much bigger than me. My tools seem silly and inefficient, sort of like Despereaux's needle and thread. And sometimes my goals are not realistic in the same way that Despereaux had his heart set on marrying the princess.
I think this sums up the book better than I could. Also, I bought a copy of the book today so we will have one here in the house. I can't just return it to the library and not have a copy if I need some uplifting and hopeful reading. And my children must read this.



*perfidy: a breach of faith

4 comments:

  1. So glad you liked it, Raidergirl3. Is that little mouse courageous?

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  2. I loved Despereaux, too.

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  3. booklogged - Between Despereaux and Number the Stars, bravery is a big theme for you. Both such great books.

    sprite - such a wonderful book, thanks for coming by

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  4. I really liked this book also. Why did it take me so long to read it??

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