I really liked this story! I think it is good for kids 8+. Sensitive readers might be upset at some points in the story, for, as in her other book (The Tale of Desperaux), there is some sadness. I think that SOME parents (the ones with empathetic children) might want to read this beforehand.
Well let's face it this books rocks!! But there are 1 or 2 mentions of Peter's father bleeding to death and like "The tale of Desperaux" and "Because of Winn-Dixie" (I could not help crying on that one) it can be kind of sad. But Again the book rocks!!
This is the kind of book you read aloud to a five year old child, trying to read them a magical story that makes them dream, but in reality, your secretly loving every page of it yourself. In reality, you need a story like this. A magical story about love and forgiveness, and how no matter how far you've gone down the wrong road, you can always turn around. This was one of those books where you turn the last page, and sit there, in your room, smiling to yourself, doing nothing, just sitting there. You feel so warm and fuzzy inside. This is one of those books that just makes you happy. Absolutely brilliant, Kate DiCamillo. It's no Desperaux, of course, but this was still a wonderful read. If you've read the tale of Desperaux, you'll love this one as well. Buy it.