We are a household of avid readers. I read many genres, and would list reading as my most preferred recreation. Since I do have sensitive children, I try to pre-read many of the books they receive or that we buy for them. Let's see: rejection at birth, betrayal by family, rat-infested dark dungeon, weapon-wielding abduction of a little girl from her bed, rejection of another little girl by her mother and then she is sold by her father to an abusive household, .... Not a happy read by any of my standards. I don't get the appeal.
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread
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Common Sense says
A great read-aloud or discussion group book..
Themes in this book include: friendship
updated 01.21.10
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8 and Up
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread was written by Matt Berman
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.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about outsiders and the role they play in society.
- 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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More on The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread
Book Summary
Listen, dear reader, to Kate DiCamillo, and you will hear of Despereaux Tilling, a half-sized mouse with giant ears who is "such the disappointment" to his mama because he won't act like other mice. He is sickly, faints at loud noises, loves music, bright light, and reading books. Worst of all, because he has fallen in love with a human princess named Pea, he talks to humans. For this transgression he is condemned by the other mice, including his own father, to be sent to the dungeon to be eaten by the rats.
You will also, dear reader, hear of Roscuro the rat, who also loves light, but has a grudge against the princess. And of Miggery Sow, an abused, dimwitted, partially deaf serving girl who wishes to be a princess. And you will hear how the strange stories of these three outsiders intersect in a most unusual way. Reader, do you believe in happily ever after?
Is It Any Good?
Kate DiCamillo can do charming. Her debut novel, "Because of Winn-Dixie," was simple and enchanting. Despereaux's tale is more complex and stylized: The author directly addresses the reader throughout, and the hero disappears for nearly a hundred pages. But it has charm in buckets, perfectly matched by Timothy Ering's delightfully weird illustrations.
THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX hits the trifecta for a children's book: It makes a great read-alone, read-aloud, or reading group book. It's easy to read, despite its length and sometimes advanced vocabulary, and perfectly paced and plotted to hold a middle-grade reader's interest. The direct address makes it perfect for involving listeners in the reading. And that same way of talking to the reader allows the author to raise questions that would make for interesting literature group discussions.
Publisher’s Details
Publisher: Candlewick Press, Publication date: 1/19/2004
Number of pages: 270, Price: $17.99 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 8+, Read Alone: 9+
Number of pages: 270, Price: $17.99 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 8+, Read Alone: 9+
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Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title off for age 10 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
I love it! Just read it, and you'll see why!
I LOVE this book, this is one of my favorite books on earth. It took me only a day to read because I got SO into it! I love the story, How a little mouse falls in love with a princess, and has big ears, and does not act like a mouse at all, and therefor, he has to go to the dungeon, and then he meets Roscuroe. A rat. And then there is Miggary Sow, she wants to be a princess, she is owned by a farmer, her dad sold her when she was little, and now she works for the princess!
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Love it!
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I rate this title for age 0 and give it
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- Inappropriate sexual content
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tweens & teens
to much talk on *** and i love how my family is not failing
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
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!!
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