The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread
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What’s inside...
A brave mouse, a covetous rat, a wishful serving girl, and a princess named Pea come together in Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Medal-winning tale. Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other's lives. What happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out. With black-and-white illustrations and a refreshed cover by Timothy Basil Ering. Celebrate twenty years of Despereaux with a splendid anniversary edition—including a bonus original short story from Kate DiCamillo and a new piece of art by Timothy Basil Ering.
Age
7-10
Length
272 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Despereaux Tilling
Miggery Sow
Princess Pea
Lester Tilling
King
Roscuro
Discussion points
How do you think Despereaux's courage helped him throughout the story?
What do you think the story tells us about the importance of forgiveness and compassion?
Can you identify a time when one of the characters had to make a tough decision? What would you have done in their place?
How do the different characters' stories interconnect, and what do you think this tells us about how our actions affect others?
What did you learn about the consequences of bravery and cowardice from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Invite your child to relate personal experiences that connect to the challenges faced by Despereaux, enhancing empathy and understanding.
Discuss the moral dilemmas presented in the book and encourage your child to express their opinion on how they would handle similar situations, fostering ethical thinking.
Highlight the growth of characters like Despereaux and Roscuro to talk about personal development and change, underscoring the value of learning from one's actions.
Use examples from the book to discuss the impact of positive and negative actions on others, promoting a sense of responsibility and community awareness.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and bravery
Explanation: Despereaux, the tiny mouse with big ears, demonstrates immense courage despite his small size. He sets out on a quest to rescue Princess Pea, showing that bravery is not a matter of physical size, but of heart.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to confront their own fears and stand up for themselves and others, even when they feel small or insignificant.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: The story encourages understanding others’ feelings through the characters’ interactions, as Despereaux listens to music that stirs empathy within him.
Real-World Application: This can guide children in becoming more empathetic, teaching them to consider and respond to the feelings and experiences of others in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: The power of forgiveness
Explanation: Characters in the book, including Despereaux, face betrayals and hardships, yet they learn to forgive. This is especially seen in how Despereaux forgives the serving girl, Miggery Sow, realizing her own struggles.
Real-World Application: Children learn that holding grudges can be heavier than the act of forgiveness, and that understanding others' perspectives can facilitate reconciliation.
Example Lesson: Perseverance against adversity
Explanation: Despereaux faces many challenges but persists in his goals. His perseverance is a testament to his character, pushing forward despite setbacks.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persistence when faced with difficulties, encouraging them to not give up easily and to strive towards their goals.