Can a mouse find true love with a princess named Pea? Despereaux Tilling's decidedly unmouse-like behavior causes him to be banished to a dungeon. But all is not lost as his life becomes entwined with those of a rat and a peasant girl who also dare to dream. Together these outsiders, along with some soup, thread and a little forgiveness, redefine happily ever after.

The Tale of Despereaux was read by Graeme Malcolm
Graeme Malcolm has appeared on and off Broadway in Aida, The King and I, Lincoln Center's Hapgood, and M. Butterfly (National Tour). His television appearances include Law & Order, Follow the River, and Mr. Halpern and Mr. Johnson (with Laurence Olivier). Film credits include A Further Gesture, The Adventures of Sebastian Cole, and Reunion.

What do you think?

The end of our broadcast has Despereaux being led to his fate (to the Mouse Council) by his brother. In a way, our excerpt ends just as another story starts to unfolds. You'll have to read the book to see how our three unlikely heroes help each other...and how some soup, thread and a little forgiveness redefine happily ever after. But, for now, here are a few things to ponder:

Why did Despereaux's mother choose to name her youngest son "Despereaux"?

What makes Despereaux a hero? Why do you think he's considered an "unusual" hero?

The Tale of Despereaux is full of unique characters. Which did you find the most intriguing? Describe and compare your own qualities with those of that character. How are you similar? How are you different?

One person can make quite an impact on a number of other people. It's kind of like when you throw a pebble into a river and watch the ripples spread out. Plot out how many people were affected, and how, by Despereaux's actions.

Author Kate DiCamillo used the theme of light throughout the book. What do you think it symbolizes?

You have to read the rest of the book to answer this next question. What is it that the Princess realizes at the end of the story? Have you ever felt that way or taken the same kind of action? When?

What do you think is the message the author wants you to take away from this book? Do you think there's another important message to consider as well?

Fun & Adventure Beyond the Book

You may already be familiar with author Kate DiCamillo—her book The Tiger Rising has also been featured on Camel's Hump Radio. But did you know DiCamillo used to work at Disney World as a bingo caller? Learn more about DiCamillo from a recent online article and interview.

Much of The Tale of Despereaux is set in a castle. And you know every castle hides secrets and surprises. This website allows you to explore all the various parts of a castle, as well as some of the people and things typically found in a castle. If you're more interested in just the dungeon, this website has some surprising history for you to check out.

Once you read about life as a peasant, you'll understand why Miggery Sow wished to be a princess. Check it out here.

Do mice smell? What's the best way to pick up a mouse? Just how big is the Mouse Council? This website may not be able to answer all your mouse-related questions, but it'll come close! If you're really into rats and mice, check out the Rat and Mouse Club of America website; judging by the size of it, you will be able to find out anything you could possibly want to know about the rodents and it has lots of photos of the critters.

Soup played a key role in The Tale of Despereaux. We found a site where soup is the entire topic and we don't mean just soup recipes! Check out the favorite soups of celebrities, soup etiquette, soup in the news, songs about soup...and, of course, recipes. It's making my mouth water just writing about it!



If You Like This Book, Check Out...

Grace Greene, from the Vermont Department of Libraries, says if you liked The Tale of Despereaux, you’ll probably enjoy these books as well:


Other books by DiCamillo:

Because of Winn-Dixie Candlewick, 2000
Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big ugly dog Winn-Dixie.

Tiger Rising Candlewick, 2001
Rob, who passes the time in his rural Florida community by wood carving, is drawn by his spunky but angry friend Sistine into a plan to free a caged tiger.


Companion titles:

Avi. Poppy. Orchard, 1995.
Poppy the deer mouse urges her family to move next to a field of corn big enough to feed them all forever, but Mr. Ocax, a terrifying owl, has other ideas.

Hoeye, Michael. Time Stops for No Mouse. Putnam, 2002. When Linka Perflinger, a jaunty mouse, brings a watch into his shop to be repaired and then disappears, Hermux Tantamoq is caught up in a world of dangerous search for eternal youth as he tries to find out what happened to her.

O'Brien, Robert. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. Atheneum, 1971.
Having no one to help her with her problems, a widowed mouse visits the rats whose former imprisonment in a laboratory made them wise and long lived.

Seidler, Tor. A Rat's Tale. FSG, 1986.
Montague Mad-Rat abandons his eccentric, sheltered life to help save the huge population of his fellow rats, who live in the piers, from extermination.