The Tale of Despereaux

Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread

By: Kate DiCamillo

Narrated by: Graeme Malcolm

Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in darkness but covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl with a simple, impossible wish. These 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.

And what happens then?

Listener, it is your destiny to find out.

Click here to see a full list of Newbery Medal Winners and Newbery Honor Books.

©2003 Kate DiCamillo (P)2003 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, an imprint of the Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

• Newbery Medal Winner, 2004, Most Distinguished American Children's Book

"A charming story of unlikely heroes....With a masterful hand, DiCamillo weaves four story lines together in a witty, suspenseful narrative that begs to be read aloud....This expanded fairy tale is entertaining, heartening, and, above all, great fun." (School Library Journal)
"Forgiveness, light, love, and soup. These essential ingredients combine into a tale that is as soul stirring as it is delicious." (Booklist)

we love this

we enjoyed how it made us feel, and think how the mouse's life was

A tale (or tail) of light

What a lovely little story to bring light into such a confused world. A friend suggested I get this title too lighten things up. It certainly did that! Excellent for children and adults alike.

The performance was outstanding! I love it when the narrator disappears into the story and all you experience is the story and not the narrator. This narrator was perfect.

Thank you very much !

Childhood

I remember the book I read in 5th grade. I have wanted a copy to reread.

Flawless!

Finally an authoress who writes for the literate child, unafraid of vocabulary and more than capable of weaving an engaging tale. The naration is flawless!!!!!!

Graeme Malcolm was perfect person to narrate!

This book has an unusual style of narration. Kate DiCamillo has the narrator speak directly to the audience, to ask them thought provoking questions, as if it was a tale told at their bedside.


As a 5th grade teacher, I have decided to make this a classroom read aloud. It is at times challenging with the way Ms. DiCamillo presents 3 timelines converging. That jump in sequence of events may need to be explained to younger readers/listeners. Yet it is well laid out, contains enriching vocabulary, and at times requires higher-level thinking or analysis. The story is not overly complex. In addition, it has many elements of other fairy tales. But, those elements only add to the charming way she has the characters and plot unfold.

Is this a book for the parents? No. Would I buy it just for me? No.
But I do believe it is a captivating and worthy listen/read for someone who is 9-14. Furthermore, it is a good book for a family to enjoy together. Listen and discuss the points or thoughts the narrator directs at the reader/listener, write a continuation of other tales, or just let it stand on it own as an enjoyable way to spend 3 hours. This book offers many ways to be enjoyed. It was well worth the investment.

Good family road trip book!

This book kept everyone's attention -- from the six-year-old right up to the forty-something driver.

Definitely going to re-listen to this!!!

It's been so long since I've read this, narrator was top notch and I am absolutely thrilled to have found this book on Audible. Not gonna lie, I cried when the book ended. I always listened to a few chapters of it on my walk home from work, and those last chapters hit me like a freight train. To the narrator, Graeme Malcolm, you are so amazingly talented. You brought the characters to life in a way I haven't seen since I was in school and had this book read as a assignment.
This book holds a special place in my heart and words can't express how much I'm going to abuse the replay button on this phenomenal story.

such an amazing story

we had such a great time listening to the story it left us wanting more! great book! awesome narrator! we enjoyed it very much!!

Great for all ages!

I am a regular audible listener. My 11 yr old son has been telling me about this book for years. I finally listened to it and really enjoyed it. The narrator is fantastic.

Despereaux Tilling the Mouse

I have listened to this book with my kids. My kids are completely captivated by this story every listen.