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The Tale of Despereaux
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From: Monica R. Edinger <edinger>
Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 05:18:05 -0500
One of my favorite novels of the year is Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux. It is an exquisitely crafted work of imagination, quite dark, whimsical in parts, but far from cute (which is how some of its adult detractors have described it to me). The intriguing plot, engaging characters, and the wonderful voice of the narrator made it a fabulous read -aloud. My 4th class did not want it to end. In fact, they begged me to slow down so they could savor it all the more. I'm with them; the writing is gorgeous and simply trips off the tongue. I felt while reading that I became the narrator (Despereaux himself or perhaps the celery-smelling threadmaster?) and could vividly see that dungeon, the mouse council, poor Mig's ears, the ever unhappy Roscuro, and the sun breaking through. I have a small mouse puppet and he became Despereaux, fought over by my class to hold while I read, and he is still an important member of our class (perching on the corner of my whiteboard --- listening to my reading aloud, perhaps, dear reader?). It has been weeks since I finished reading the book to my class, but they continue to reference it; I suspect it has become a touchstone book for them this year. A lovely, lovely book.
Monica Edinger The Dalton School New York NY edinger at dalton.org monicaedinger at yahoo.com
Received on Thu 04 Dec 2003 04:18:05 AM CST
Date: Thu, 04 Dec 2003 05:18:05 -0500
One of my favorite novels of the year is Kate DiCamillo's The Tale of Despereaux. It is an exquisitely crafted work of imagination, quite dark, whimsical in parts, but far from cute (which is how some of its adult detractors have described it to me). The intriguing plot, engaging characters, and the wonderful voice of the narrator made it a fabulous read -aloud. My 4th class did not want it to end. In fact, they begged me to slow down so they could savor it all the more. I'm with them; the writing is gorgeous and simply trips off the tongue. I felt while reading that I became the narrator (Despereaux himself or perhaps the celery-smelling threadmaster?) and could vividly see that dungeon, the mouse council, poor Mig's ears, the ever unhappy Roscuro, and the sun breaking through. I have a small mouse puppet and he became Despereaux, fought over by my class to hold while I read, and he is still an important member of our class (perching on the corner of my whiteboard --- listening to my reading aloud, perhaps, dear reader?). It has been weeks since I finished reading the book to my class, but they continue to reference it; I suspect it has become a touchstone book for them this year. A lovely, lovely book.
Monica Edinger The Dalton School New York NY edinger at dalton.org monicaedinger at yahoo.com
Received on Thu 04 Dec 2003 04:18:05 AM CST
