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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
I started out really liking this book while reading it to my 4 year old. It seemed to get a little confusing for him as DiCamillo switched talking about Despereaux to Miggery Sow and Roscuro. The book made sense to me as an adult, and is probably for older children. It seemed a little long to me as well... (May 2009)
*Reading to Isaac now. (Jan 2015) - We read about 75 pages and Isaac was not wanting to read very often, and then told me he wasn't liking it that much. So we'll be switching books. I think my older 2 will like reading this, but it's a little advanced for a kindergartner. *
*Reading to Isaac now. (Jan 2015) - We read about 75 pages and Isaac was not wanting to read very often, and then told me he wasn't liking it that much. So we'll be switching books. I think my older 2 will like reading this, but it's a little advanced for a kindergartner. *
I am really enjoying reading this book to my 5 year old.
This is an ADORABLE book! Despereaux is soo brave and cute, I just love him! The movie, however, was okay. But the book was wayyyy better!! Love it! Go and read it if you already haven't!!!
The story of the book was cute. You can do almost anything. I like that the author included some things that were just impossible, and actually came out and said there are just some things that can't be done.
The book was actually a little slow, and I'm not sure how well a child would like the writting style. I think it best fits in the stage where an adult reads a chapter a night to a child.
The book was actually a little slow, and I'm not sure how well a child would like the writting style. I think it best fits in the stage where an adult reads a chapter a night to a child.
I am usually quite a fan of DiCamillo's, but this book--which I should have adored by all accounts--left me cold. I thought the allegory was too simplistic, and the fairy tale didn't have enough of a twist to it to make it award-worthy. Yes, Despereaux is a lovable little mouse, and I loved DiCamillo's over-the-top authorial voice, but the story itself left me thinking, "is that all?"
I so wanted to like this book. The illustrations are cute, the book with its "torn" pages, it centers around a mouse. But I was very much let down. This reads like a stereotypical fairytale in a time where I feel like we should be championing other values, especially when reading it to children.
It felt overly negative, despite the light and dark comparisons and the message that being different is okay. Between the terrible worldview of the rats to the mouse family to the way Miggery Sow was treated (both by the characters in the book, but especially by the author who had the power to turn her into something so much better than a stereotype) to the lack of mothers or mother figures, even to the deliriousness of Pea's father . . . I kept thinking what the value of this book would be if read to my future children. Unfortunately, the brief moments of bravery and the happy ending didn't make up for the rest of the book.
I didn't enjoy it, and I can't recommend it as something to be read to children. Disappointed in this one.
It felt overly negative, despite the light and dark comparisons and the message that being different is okay. Between the terrible worldview of the rats to the mouse family to the way Miggery Sow was treated (both by the characters in the book, but especially by the author who had the power to turn her into something so much better than a stereotype) to the lack of mothers or mother figures, even to the deliriousness of Pea's father . . . I kept thinking what the value of this book would be if read to my future children. Unfortunately, the brief moments of bravery and the happy ending didn't make up for the rest of the book.
I didn't enjoy it, and I can't recommend it as something to be read to children. Disappointed in this one.
“Since it is so likely that (children) will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.” - C.S. Lewis
In many ways Kate DiCamillo's award winning children's book is the embodiment of Lewis' sentiments. A beautiful book for children and adults, The Tale of Despereaux is a delightful adventure featuring a cast of unlikely nonconformists: a big-eared mouse who longs to be a knight, an ugly serving girl who longs to be a princess, a dungeon rat who longs for light, a princess named Pea. But more than a fun story, the book is also a beautiful parable about the power of forgiveness. While it is perfectly appropriate material for young readers, neither condescending nor too heady, featuring a few big words (and admonishments to look them up) and a friendly voice, DiCamillo does not shy away from talking about some very complex themes, including the capacity of everyone (both human and, in this case, rodent) for great evil and for great good, the pain of heartbreak, and, especially, the healing power of forgiveness, both on the people who have wronged you, and on yourself. It's a timeless story with a charming, fairy tale quality that does not shy away from darkness, but is lit through with plenty of light. It is written in a conversational style that is appealing, especially for kids just starting on chapter books, but would also make for a delightful book to read aloud (to your kids, or just to yourself). This lovely story has the lasting appeal of classics before it such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Phantom Tollbooth, or Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, and should make its way into any child's-and adult's- library.
In many ways Kate DiCamillo's award winning children's book is the embodiment of Lewis' sentiments. A beautiful book for children and adults, The Tale of Despereaux is a delightful adventure featuring a cast of unlikely nonconformists: a big-eared mouse who longs to be a knight, an ugly serving girl who longs to be a princess, a dungeon rat who longs for light, a princess named Pea. But more than a fun story, the book is also a beautiful parable about the power of forgiveness. While it is perfectly appropriate material for young readers, neither condescending nor too heady, featuring a few big words (and admonishments to look them up) and a friendly voice, DiCamillo does not shy away from talking about some very complex themes, including the capacity of everyone (both human and, in this case, rodent) for great evil and for great good, the pain of heartbreak, and, especially, the healing power of forgiveness, both on the people who have wronged you, and on yourself. It's a timeless story with a charming, fairy tale quality that does not shy away from darkness, but is lit through with plenty of light. It is written in a conversational style that is appealing, especially for kids just starting on chapter books, but would also make for a delightful book to read aloud (to your kids, or just to yourself). This lovely story has the lasting appeal of classics before it such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Phantom Tollbooth, or Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, and should make its way into any child's-and adult's- library.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes