The Tale of Despereaux: The Graphic Novel - Softcover

Smith, Matt; Tilton, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0763640751 ISBN 13: 9780763640750

Publisher: Candlewick, 2008

Synopsis

This fresh new graphic format, featuring all-new artwork inspired by the film The Tale of Despereaux, is destined to bring Kate DiCamilllo's award-winning classic to an even wider audience.

The Tale of Despereaux tells the story of several unlikely heroes: Despereaux, a brave mouse banished to the dungeon for speaking with a human; Roscuro, a good-hearted rat who loves light and soup, but is exiled to darkness; Pea, a Princess in a gloomy castle who is prisoner to her father's grief; and Mig, a servant girl who longs to be a Princess, but is forced to serve the jailer. Refusing to live his life cowering, Despereaux befriends Princess Pea and learns to read (rather than eat) books - reveling in stories of knights, dragons and fair maidens. Banished from Mouse World for being more man than mouse, Despereaux is rescued by another outcast, Roscuro, who wants to hear the tales. But when the Princess dismisses Roscuro's friendship, he becomes the ultimate rat and plots revenge with fellow outsider Mig. After Pea is kidnapped, Despereaux discovers he is the only one who can rescue her.

Kate DiCamillo's literary classic about Despereaux Tilling has enchanted children and adults around the globe. In this tale of bravery, forgiveness and redemption, one small creature teaches a kingdom that it takes only a little light to show the truth: What you look like doesn't equal what you are. Published in 23 languages, with more than 2 million copies in print, a New York Times #1 bestseller and winner of the Newbery Medal, The Tale of Despereaux is now animated adventure from Universal Pictures.

THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. All Rights Reserved.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–7—This graphic novel is based not on Kate DiCamillo's original novel, but is adapted from the movie script of the recent film. The story of the brave mouse who rescues a princess is told not only through paneled illustrations, but also through an ongoing narration, giving the tale more prose than most graphic novels. The result is that there is less pressure on the pictures to show the emotions of the characters, making the rare moments when they carry the story more powerful. The cartoon-style artwork depicts the movie-concept characters in a straightforward fashion that sometimes seems oversimplified for the sophisticated text. The characters appear softer than their movie counterparts, particularly Princess Pea, whose tears make a particularly lovely set of four panels. Though the story comes through clearly and the pacing is fast and action-oriented, the book feels like the adaptation it is, and seems like it is only scratching the surface of the characters. It will work as a substitute for children who have seen the film and can't wait until it comes out on DVD, and will hopefully inspire many of those same readers to pick up the original tale.—Alana Joli Abbott, James Blackstone Memorial Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0763640751
• ISBN 13: 9780763640750
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128