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A review by mollybonovskyanderson
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
5.0
After reading Kate DiCamillo's "Because of Winn Dixie," to my 2nd grader as assigned by his teacher, I didn't have high expectations, as I thought that book was just OK. Also, having figured out that my son's teacher loves sad endings, I was a little hesitant, having found another assigned read, "Stone Fox," rather bleak and cruel, and really, sort of pointless.
This, however, was different. It's the story of a vapid toy rabbit who lives in splendor and comfort with his little-girl owner, until one day, he is lost at sea, and so begins a long, frightening, but enlightening journey through the hands of different people he encounters, each lost and broken in their own way. We see through Edward's eyes that some people are needlessly cruel, and others are vulnerable and ready to love with their whole being. Edward's heart grows in love, and is broken, mended, and broken again, as is his poor china rabbit-skull at one point. His head is ultimately mended but he doubts his heart can ever be. And the end; well, I could hardly get through it for the tears. My son gently wiped them away for me, and we finished the story together. There's much in this story to have to explain to a young child, but they are conversations worth having.
This, however, was different. It's the story of a vapid toy rabbit who lives in splendor and comfort with his little-girl owner, until one day, he is lost at sea, and so begins a long, frightening, but enlightening journey through the hands of different people he encounters, each lost and broken in their own way. We see through Edward's eyes that some people are needlessly cruel, and others are vulnerable and ready to love with their whole being. Edward's heart grows in love, and is broken, mended, and broken again, as is his poor china rabbit-skull at one point. His head is ultimately mended but he doubts his heart can ever be. And the end; well, I could hardly get through it for the tears. My son gently wiped them away for me, and we finished the story together. There's much in this story to have to explain to a young child, but they are conversations worth having.