Book Review: Tale of Desperaux

DiCamillo, Kate. (2003). The Tale of Desperaux. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Candlewick Press. [Illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering]

The Tale of Desperauxwas a beautifully written and illustrated children’s book. It was also the Newberry Award winner for 2004. It is also now one of my favorite children’s books ever. The illustrations were done in pencil by Timothy Basil Ering. The author was the narrator for the story.

The book is a beast tale. But, it is so much more. Deperaux Tilling is an unlikely hero. He is motivated by his love for the princess. The recurring theme, the motivation for the characters appears to be the light. Desperaux and Roscuro both share a fascination with the light. Neither is stereotypical within their communities. The other mice do not understand Desperaux, just as the rats do not accept Chiaroscuro’s fascination with the light and what is beyond the dungeon. I believe that the light symbolizes more than just a light. I believe that the light in some way symbolizes knowledge and the ability to look beyond what was expected of them. Roscuro wants more than the average rat wants, and Desperaux dares to talk to humans and to fall in love with the princess.

The introduction to the book reads, “The world is dark, and light is precious. Come closer, dear reader. You must trust me. I am telling you a story.”  Beginning with the introduction. the narrator draws the reader into the story, as if it is something that is being shared between the two of them. The ingenious way that Kate DiCamillo repeatedly addresses the reader through the story enhances the plot and expands the involvement of the person reading the book as well as those being read to. When reading out loud the reader is the narrator and the story feels more real. This is an ideal book for reading out loud in class. Most of the chapters end with a question or a statement for the readers that propel them to the next chapter. For the same reason, it is somewhat hard to read to children, because they do not want you to stop.

The narratives also give food for thought. My favorite occurred at the end of Chapter 28. The final paragraph of the chapter states:

“Reader, do you think that it is a terrible thing to hope when there is really no reason to hope at all? Or is it (as the soldier said about happiness) something that you might just as well do, since, in the end, it really makes no difference to anyone but you?” (p. 143-144)

At another point the narrator asks the readers if they know what empathy is and then she explains it, and explains why the princess feels empathy for Mig and even for Roscuro.

At the end of the book the author addresses the readers and reminds them of what Gregory the jailer had told Desperaux. He had said “Stories are light” the author addresses the readers telling them that she hopes they have found some light within the book. So what is the light if not the search for knowledge?

© Shelley L