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

(2004, Fiction - Animals, Written by Kate DiCamillo, Illustrated by Timothy Ering)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    A great read-aloud or discussion group book..

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Despereaux's tail is cut off with a kitchen knife, a girl's ears are boxed until they become misshapen and partially deaf. The rat and skeleton infested dungeon may be a bit much for sensitive younger readers.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

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

Parents need to know that by directly addressing the reader, the author introduces many concepts to think and talk about. This book is an excellent read-aloud or discussion group book. It could be read to children as young as 6, but parents need to know there is some violence -- Despereaux's tail is cut off, and a girl's ears are boxed until she's partially deaf.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about outsiders. Why are underdog tales so appealing? What makes you root for this little mouse and his friends? What other stories of brave and noble misfits can you think of? Are they all "happily ever after"?
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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread?

  •  I think this book is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

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  •  Any highlights?

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See all 36 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    TatiannaCZ
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title and give it 0.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    tweens & teens

    to much talk on *** and i love how my family is not failing

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    reader13
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0

    I LOVE theis Book!!!!

    I love this book! I read in the third grade and its was kind of easy. But I've read this book @ least 4 times.I love the book and the movie!!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Parent Reviewer
    nicemom13
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0

    great for girls and boys

    It's interesting and funny. My favorite character was the princess pea.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    dannystar
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT HATE IT

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Adult Reviewer
    Victoria1185
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Great for older kids - lots of room for learning experiences.

    This book addresses issues such as being different from others and overcoming obsticals to achive your dreams. The book does have dark and gloomy aspects to it. However the message is about overcoming the darkness. The main characters are faced with many challenges that children can relate to and learn from.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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