The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread

by Kate DiCamillo

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763625299
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Candlewick
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.7" x 0.8" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

Received wrong book

I ordered “The Tale of Despereaux.” However, what I received was “Man’s Search for Meaning.” Beware of the sellers under this listing. It’s a great story…if you are able to find an actual copy instead of false advertising.

The Tale of Despereaux is an incredible book

I read this book to my 4th grade class every year. Every year I find something new or make some new connection that I hadn't seen before. It teaches us that hearts can be broken and not put together quite right (trauma). It teaches us that sometimes there is a reason someone makes bad choices; it doesn't excuse them, but it explains them. It teaches us that forgiveness is a powerful thing that saves the forgiver rather the forgiven. The theme of reluctant hero - no matter how small you are, you can make a difference - is predominant. If you read it when you are younger than 10, then you have to go back and read it as an adult. I highly recommend it! I also am so sad that the movie COMPLETELY swayed from the theme. "It's about a mouse who always wanted to be a knight." - NO, he HAS to be the knight; it's LITERALLY the theme of the book. I wish there was a do-over for the movie, but the book is AMAZING.

Missing pages

Missing the first 65 pages

Super cute

This book has a cute theme and I liked it. The age I would recommend reading it at really depends on you reading level.

A book to adore

I read this book dozens of times growing up, and now my son is obsessed with having me read the Tale of Despereaux to him each night. He's only 4, yet he understands some of the themes and asks me questions about what's going on. I love watching him learn!! I'm glad I got such a good copy that will last through his childhood.

Best read aloud book!

I so love this book. It's perfect to read aloud. We had this book years ago, lost it, and had to reorder it for our personal library. One of the best books for it's use of engaging the reader, that is, "...my dear reader". LOVE LOVE LOVE.

Very good and intense

This book is for older kids in my opinion. Early teens. Very much able to see the scenes as you read.

A Nostalgic Reminder

I first read the Tale of Despereaux in second grade with my class. I enjoyed it so much that once I found this website, I read it again (ten years later) and I am still in love with the characters and the plot. The story is simply written, which offers ease towards younger readers, and spins a complex tale of heroism and misfits, and one can't help but fall in love with the characters. DiCamillo has truly outdone herself with this book, and I can only vehemently recommend it :)

The Tale of Despereaux

I received the book in a timely manner. It was an older book, but I knew I was purchasing it used.

Great Bedtime Story!

I bought this because my son and I had read "Because of Winn Dixie", and loved it. Great for bedtime reading...chapters are not too long, so we can read 2 a night and still get to bed on time. The story is engaging and my son is hooked.

Despereaux

This is an absolute must have for any book lover's library! I read it in a few short hours! I couldn't put it down. My 14 yr. old son read it and concluded with the same opinion.

Sure to become a classic

I read to my kids every night though they are perfectly capable of reading to themselves. It's hard to find a book that appeals to both of them. This book does the job well. I have a boy age 9 and girl age 6 and they are both enthralled with it and eager to find out what happens next. With the short chapters and pictures scattered throughout, it makes it very easy to read a few chapters each night and yet keep us looking forward to the next night's reading. We also picked up this book because of its cover just like a previous reader. Love the look, the feel, the size of this book. It's a pleasure to read and we can't wait to find out how the story ends!