The Tale of Despereaux

1. Bibliography

DiCamillo, Kate. 2003. The Tale of Desperaux. Ill. by Timothy Basil Ering. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick. ISBN 0763617229

2. Plot Summary

This fantasy is about the adventures of an unusual mouse named Despereaux. He falls in love with a princess and goes to the dungeon to save her.

3. Critical Analysis

All of the characters in this story are described in many different ways. The narrator tells about them, they are described by their actions, and through the thoughts of other characters. For example in the beginning it explains when Despereaux was born and his mother states, "Disappointment". His sister, Merlot, comments, "His ears are too big." Also, his father says, " There’s something wrong with him. Leave him alone." In regards to his actions the narrator also later explains, "But reader, he was not smelling. He was listening, with his big ears, to the sweet sound that no other mouse seemed to hear." (DiCamillo, 19). Some of the other characters that are also described in detail by the narrator, their actions, and the thoughts of other characters include Miggery Sow, Botticeli, and Roscuro.
The plot tells a great make-believe story that children will really enjoy. It is full of action with Despereaux sneaking around the castle to read, falling in love, getting sent to the dungeon, meeting the rats below, and almost getting killed by the cook to name a few of the fast moving adventures. The way DiCamillo weaves all the characters together is amazing and extremely well constructed.
The story takes place in a castle that has a beautiful ballroom, and a dark dreadful dungeon. The setting was well described to give the reader a good visual of the surroundings.
The theme is good versus evil. In the end the good characters overcome the bad. The theme is subtle and doesn’t take over the story.
The style of writing draws the reader in by talking directly to the reader throughout the book. "READER, you did not forget about our small mouse, did you?" (DiCamillo, 175).
There is a balance of narration and dialogue. The dialogue is well suited for the characters. For example, Roscuro says that he believes the meaning of life is light, and the one-eared evil rat, Botticelli, says, "The meaning of life is suffering, specifically the suffering of others." (DiCamillo, 88).

4. Review Excerpt(s)

School Library Journal

Gr 3 Up-In this delightful novel, a tiny mouse risks all to save the princess he loves from the clutches of a devious rat and a slow-witted serving girl. With memorable characters, brief chapters, and inventive plot twists, this fast-paced romp is perfect for reading alone or sharing aloud. Winner of the 2004 Newbery Medal. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Dear reader, light your lamp and listen to the tale of Despereaux, the last mouse born of Antoinette. Born with his eyes open and ears much too large, Despereaux seems destined for early death. A true Renaissance mouse, he can hear honey, read words, and appreciate fine music. But he cannot conform to the strictures of the mouse world. Rodents and humans don't mix, yet he falls in love with the Princess Pea, earning the wrath of all the mice in the castle. The melodramatic voice of the narrator glides through DiCamillo's entirely pleasing tale, at times addressing the reader directly, at others, moving the reader back and forward in time. Never does she abandon the reader in the dungeon with Despereaux, the dark-hearted rats, or the guard and fellow inmate, Gregory. And so unwinds a tale with twists and turns, full of forbidden soup and ladles, rats lusting for mouse blood, a servant who wishes to be a princess, a knight in shining-or, at least, furry-armor, and all the ingredients of an old-fashioned drama. (Fiction. 7-12)

5. Connections

· Let students write an extension to the story from the point of view of one of the characters.
· Have students write a modern fantasy story.