Books
The Tale of Despereaux
By Kate DiCamillo
Illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
A funny, moving, old-fashioned fairy tale in three parts for young readers.
Here, reader, is the tale of a tiny, sickly mouse with unusually large ears; a mouse who takes his fate into his own hands. It is the tale of a beautiful, flaxen-haired princess, who laughs often, and makes everything around her seem brighter. It is the tale of a poor, deaf serving girl, who entertains foolish dreams of splendour. It is a tale of impossible love, of bravery and old-fashioned courage. And, reader, it is a tale of treachery ... unlimited treachery. It is The Tale of Despereaux…
- By the author of Because of Winn-Dixie, which has sold well over 200,000 copies in hardback alone. Winner of a Newbery Honor and a Booksense Book of the Year Award (voted by booksellers as their favourite title to hand sell).
- Perfect to read alone and also ideal to read aloud to a young child. Will delight all ages.
- A stunning companion to the bestseller, 'The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane'.
ISBN:
9780744598698
Imprint:
Candlewick Press
Distributor:
TL Distribution in Australia & Macmillan Publishers in New Zealand
Binding:
Paperback
Release Date:
June 1, 2004
Dimensions:
150 x 210mm, 272pp
Stock Status:
Backlist title
Australian RRP:
$16.95
New Zealand RRP:
$19.99
Stock Level:
In Stock
About the author
Kate DiCamillo lives in Minneapolis, USA. She says, “My best friend’s son asked me if I would write a story for him. ‘It’s about an unlikely hero,’ he said, ‘one with exceptionally large ears.’ ‘What happens to this hero?’ I asked. ‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘That’s why I want you to write the story, so we can find out.’ Well, Luke Bailey, three years later, here’s the tale...”
About the illustrator
Timothy Basil Ering has also illustrated for Walker Books the surreal, 'Frog Belly Rat Bone'. On The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, the illustrator says, "my mother may have been a mouse in her past life, as I watched her save and help so many mice in our house while I was growing up. The illustrations I've done of Despereaux Tilling are, in a way, my tribute to her."
Review
"This delightful book works on many levels; it is a morality tale, an adventure story and a romantic fairytale too." Sydney's Child
Awards
2004: Newbery Medal
Winner