Common Sense Media Review
Brave mouse adventure a modern classic; great read-aloud.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 25 parent reviews
Parents say that while the book offers valuable lessons on empathy, courage, and the complexities of human emotions through its characters, many also express concern over the dark and disturbing themes, particularly around violence and abuse, which may not be suitable for younger readers. Some find that the intricate stories can be both enchanting and disjointed, leaving a mixed impression on its overall value as children's literature.
- empathy and compassion
- dark themes
- suitability concerns
- mixed impressions
- moral lessons
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 31 kid reviews
What's the Story?
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.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about outsiders and the role they play in society. What other stories of brave and noble misfits can you think of?
Why are underdog tales so appealing?
What makes you root for this little mouse and his friends?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Timothy Basil Ering
- Genre : Animals
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales ) , Adventures , Animals , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Candlewick Press
- Publication date : January 19, 2004
- Number of pages : 270
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Newbery Medal and Honors
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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