The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread
By: Kate DiCamillo
Published by Candlewick Press, 2003
Fairy tale, Determination, Perseverance, Heroic, Strong, Non-conforming
Awards:
- 2004 Newbery Award Recipient
Summary:
The Tale of Despereaux is magical tale that tells the story of a young mouse named Despereaux Tilling who has fallen in love with the beautiful human princess. When the Princess is captured and needs to be rescued, Despereaux embarks on a dangerous quest to rescue her. There are three separate stories explored in this novel, each from a different character's perspective. The first is about the mouse, Despereaux Tilling, the second is about a rat seeking revenge, and the third about a girl who wants nothing more than to be a princess. This novel is great for students because it follows the pattern of a typical fairy tale, but it's a very interactive text that can provide students with a fun educational experience.
The Tale of Despereaux is magical tale that tells the story of a young mouse named Despereaux Tilling who has fallen in love with the beautiful human princess. When the Princess is captured and needs to be rescued, Despereaux embarks on a dangerous quest to rescue her. There are three separate stories explored in this novel, each from a different character's perspective. The first is about the mouse, Despereaux Tilling, the second is about a rat seeking revenge, and the third about a girl who wants nothing more than to be a princess. This novel is great for students because it follows the pattern of a typical fairy tale, but it's a very interactive text that can provide students with a fun educational experience.
Reading Level: Lexile, 670L, Grade 4/5
Suggested Delivery: Read-aloud, whole class instruction
Key Vocabulary: (by page number) despair (12), obscenely (17), scurrying (20), indignant (24), fate (25), perfidy (45), egregious (52), defiance (56), ominous (57), beleaguered (77), capacious (111), clout (128), scrupulously (129), portentous (167), comeuppance (185)
3 Teaching Suggestions:
- Use this text to explain/discuss (in depth) the characteristics of a fairy tale. Does it follow this typical outline of a fairy tale? Why or why not?
- When reading this text aloud, stop at the points when the author speaks directly to the reader. How does this type of interaction feel for the reader? Have they read any other novels where the author does this? Is it an effective way to get a point across?
- Use this text to explain as well as to explore the concept of a hero. What makes somebody a hero? (Qualities & characteristics) Ask students to share ideas with the class as well as who they consider to be their hero.
Before Reading: Prior to reading this novel, read and discuss other short fairy tales with students. Examples are: Three Little Pigs, Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Snow White, Rapunzel, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, etc. Explain the basic outline/pattern that a fairy tale follows. Create a list/outline on large chart paper for the whole class to see.
During Reading: While reading this novel, the students will begin to take notice of how significant the concept of "consequences" is. When reading each book (1, 2, 3, and 4) have the students create a flow chart or a graphic organizer that lists all of the important actions performed by the character and to write what the consequence was whether good or bad.
Also be sure to consistently ask the students to make predictions, either state them orally or write them in a journal.
After Reading: Upon completion of this novel, engage in a whole class discussion about whether or not this story ended "happily ever after," like the other fairy tales they read. Ask them to support their answer with information and examples from the story of why they believe it to be happy or not. After this discussion, create a Venn Diagram with the students and have them compare the similarities and differences between the first few fairy tales they read and this story.
Writing Activity: Students will view the movie, The Tale of Despereaux. After watching the movie, ask students to compose a short essay comparing and contrasting the book and the movie version of the book. Have them explain which they liked better, the book or the movie. Their explanation must be thoughtful.
2 Electronic Resources:
- Author's Website: Kate DiCamillo: This is a good tool to use before, during or after reading the novel, The Tale of Despereaux. It provides a short biography about Kate DiCamillo and it also provides FAQs where she answers questions regarding her Newbery award winner as well as questions about a couple of her other very popular books. She explains that she writes both children and adult literature and provides a list of all of her books if students/teachers are interested in reading anything else by her. There are also several links that bring you to other websites related to Kate and her novels.
- Watch The Movie: The much loved tale of Desperaux Tilling was turned into a film and hit the big screen back in 2008. By watching this movie, the students will be able to determine the major similarities and differences between the book and the movie. This movie provides the students with a visual of the entire story. Students can also take this opportunity to discuss whether or not the characters/setting and other aspects of the story were as they visualized them to be.
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| Kate DiCamillo |
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| The Princess & Despereaux |
DiCamillo, K. (2003) The tale of Despereaux: being the tale of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press
