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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
This is the kind of book that makes me excited to have kids so that I can read it to them
While this is a lovely little quest story at the superficial level, there are too many nasties hiding in the depths to really recommend this as a childrens book (unless you are thinking of traditional nasty fairy tales as children's reading, in which case it is fine). Rather, I think that it is an adult book for those who like reading children's stories. I found the constant put downs of an entire species (which I read as an ethinic grouping rather than anything else) very very grating. I also didn't like the overt negativity to those who are different. And I got the feeling that the author has never actually met a rat (or a snake for that matter), because of the perpetuation of incorrect stereotropes.
All of this saddened me, because I wanted to come out of it uplifted - it is after all, the story of overcoming your limitations in the pursuit of the safety of your loved ones - but it just left me uncomfortable.
Quotes to illustrate:
"Reader, you must know that an interesting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform".
"Reader, in the spirit of honesty, I must utter a difficult and unsavoury truth: Rats are not beautiful creatures. They are not even cute. The are, really, rather nasty beasts, particularly if one appears in your bowl of soup...."
"Have you ever had hold of the tail of a rat? At best, it is an unpleasant sensation, scaly and cold, similar to holding on to a small, narrow snake."
All of this saddened me, because I wanted to come out of it uplifted - it is after all, the story of overcoming your limitations in the pursuit of the safety of your loved ones - but it just left me uncomfortable.
Quotes to illustrate:
"Reader, you must know that an interesting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform".
"Reader, in the spirit of honesty, I must utter a difficult and unsavoury truth: Rats are not beautiful creatures. They are not even cute. The are, really, rather nasty beasts, particularly if one appears in your bowl of soup...."
"Have you ever had hold of the tail of a rat? At best, it is an unpleasant sensation, scaly and cold, similar to holding on to a small, narrow snake."
This was such a cute book! I had been wanting to read it for such a long time but never picked it up. I would have finished this much faster if I didn't have finals to worry about but it was entertaining but not as good as I had hoped. As I closed his book I felt like something was missing from this book that prevented me from loving it completely. Before I forget I was annoyed with the narrator who would use a big word that the reader clearly wouldn't understand and say you should look up the word. It annoyed me and I wish it wasn't part of the book.
The kids loved this book! It had all the elements of a great read -deception, pain, love, and heroes. We can always count on Kate DiCamillo for a valuable reading experience.
The mental image of a rat with a spoon on his head makes me laugh every time. Chiaroscuro is so very cute.
Tale of forgiveness and acceptance. What I like about this is it face its readers with a moral dilemma and ask them to think, which is rare in children's literature.
Kate DiCamillo's books always bring a sense of nostalgia, ever since I read her book The Tiger Rising. <3 The Tale of Despereaux was perfect.
Heartwarming, pure delight. And full of perfidy. Perfect for the nephews.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes