Kate DiCamillo has done it again. As she did first with The Tale of Despereaux and then The Tiger Rising, her latest literary gem The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane has made me cry. The good soul-lifting, “man that felt good” kind of cry that one needs once in awhile to clear the head and the heart. Yes, I’m a sap, but I get into reading…its just me!
Some writers are good, some are entertaining, some talented, and some are truly gifted. Kate DiCamillo is a truly gifted writer. If you have children or ever will have children you owe it to them to purchase DiCamillo’s books now, in their nice hardback editions, as they should be shared and treasured. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is no exception.
The School Library Journal calls this story “achingly beautiful” and those two words are as apt a description as you can get. It is a story that both hurts and heals as you read it. Edward Tulane is a self-centered, vain, heartless china rabbit owned and loved fiercely by 10 yr old Abilene Tulane. Edward spends his days appreciating Abilene’s attentions but for all the wrong reasons and does not return any of her love. A bedtime story fraught with symbolism and a whispered admonishment in Edward’s ear of “you disappoint me” from Abiline’s grandmother foreshadows Edwards’ loss overboard on a boat bound for England. It is there, at the bottom of the cold, dark ocean that Edward first begins to feel. The rest of the tale tells of Edward’s growing love and appreciation for those who love him and his profound loss as tragedy takes him away from one kind hearted person after another. And while all this sounds way too sad to read to small children the story itself has such powerful messages about loving and appreciating those we love that it’s target age of 4-8 year olds can learn so very much from hearing this story. And believe me, adults can learn something as well.
While the ending is not a total surprise for an adult reader, Kate DiCamillo’s skill with the written word is so good that the end is tear-jerkingly satisfying in the extreme. I love, love, LOVE her books and it is not without merit that her books have been nominated for and won so many awards for children’s literature. These books are destined to be classics. Because of Winn-Dixie was such a satisfying film adaptation of DiCamillo’s work that I really hope they make more of her books, this one included, into movies. I was excited to see on her website that Kate DiCamillo will be speaking at a local library here in September and I have marked my calendar to attend.
The book itself is wonderfully designed and the black and white illustrations and the color plates by Bagram Ibatoulline are stunning.
Even if you do not have children, I encourage you to partake of this wonderful story. It is 228 short pages (big words, few words to a page) and it goes by far too quickly. I read it from start to finish this morning. Good literature is simply that…its good…and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is a complex piece of literature presented in a simple, yet profound story that I know you will love. Get to the library or the bookstore and read it. It is wonderful.
At the very least, I’ll check it out of the library. My sons are grown and I’ve got no grandkids yet. I love children’s books though and sometimes buy them for myself. I used to work in daycare. This sounds like a new take on The Velveteen Rabbit, which would also make you cry! If it hasn’t already.
Michele sent me over.
Very nice review.
Carl! you are so fast. I guess I spent too much time enjoying the glass sculpture below! Wow.
Hi there! I found you over at Carmi’s and noticed that you have a 14-year old daughter. I doo too!
And this same daughter used to LOVE Kate DiCamillo but now she’s more interested in the Princess Diaries and other such “chick lit” books. Oh well. They grow too fast.
Have a great weekend!
She’ll come back to children’s lit when she gets older if she’s still an avid reader. I like it much more now than I did when I was a kid. I read more science fiction and horror when I was young and while I still enjoy those I am frequently amazed by how good children’s literature is.
So glad I stopped by. We add a book to our children’s collection each birthday or
gift giving holiday. My son has a 4th birthday coming up. I may have to seek this one out!
Hi!! Found you via Michele’s and was so surprised at the first blog post I saw…I publish a children’s literary magazine and book club…and I just finished reading The Tale of Despereaux with my kids, and it is going to be the theme of the next issue! (shhh..don’t tell anyone, it’s not been announced yet! š
I haven’t read any of her other books yet, but I definitely will. Despereaux was such a fabulous book, I didn’t want to put it down!
Will have to check out the rest of your blog now! š
Thanks for the tip. I’ll look a bit more into her work so I can add her to an already hefty summer reading list.
Here via Michele today, Carl.
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Lydia has a Barnes and Noble gift card she received for good attendance. We should pick out one of her books. Which one do you suggest? I did not know that was a children’s book Mary showed us last night. I hadn’t read your post yet.
Tale of Despereaux (Pronounced Des pair oh) is a great story about a mouse, a princess, and a maid…all three are individual stories that tie in together to make a complete, and wonderful story. It is also out in paperback now so would be less expensive than the hardback I just reviewed.
That’s the one I would suggest Jules. However this story is excellent as well and has wonderful illustrations.
If she gets one or more of these and likes them maybe we could take her with us if we go meet this lady in Sept. when she’s at the library and she could get her book signed.
LC, I’m looking forward to what you have to say about Tales and would love to check out your magazine!
Michele sent me… Going to snoop around a bit !
Have a great weekend !
Sounds like a wonderful book I’ll have to pick up for the kids and I. Also thanks for reminding me about Because of Winn Dixie, too. Keri and the kids saw it last summer but I have yet to see it. I’m going to try and make sure I catch it with the kids this summer. I’m pretty sure it’s a part of the cheap summer movie series.
It sounds like a great book, I’ve not heard of it before but will definitely add it to my TBR list!
sounds great! i’ll have to check it out..
Aw. You’re all sappy today. š
Actually I was all sappy on Saturday! Today I am lethargic and tired and wishing for another 3 day weekend!
I’m also feeling very lazy, I saw x-3 Saturday night and have yet to complete my review. All I’ve had a hankerin’ to do these past few days is read. I got through 3 books over the weekend and am close to finishing a fourth! This one won’t make me cry, however…at least it better not! š
Thanks again for the review buddy. I read this book from cover to cover last night. I couldn’t go to sleep last night until I had finished it. It was such a wonderful tale of the joy of love. I really appreciate the heads up because I probably never would have picked it otherwise. I really hadn’t considered reading any children’s books for myself until I started hanging out with you. You’ve reopened my eyes to some wonderful books and for that I give you my sincere thanks.
I’m half way through Tigers Rising now as well as Ashley too. Then I’m onto Tale and WD.
Glad you enjoyed it, it really is a great book. She is an amazing author and everything she writes wins awards. She definitely has the gift. I did the same thing you did, just sat down and read it cover to cover. I did the same thing with Tale of Desperaux when it came out. I want to read Winn-Dixie sometime since that is the only one of the YA books I haven’t read.
I don’t know if I would have started reading as much children’s lit if it wasn’t for the fact that Mary loves it so much. Shopping for stuff for her years ago got me to looking in those aisles where I continue to discover great stuff. That and the Spectrum books which print cover illustrations of some children’s books have really opened up my eyes…and stocked my shelves…with some great stuff over the years.
My thanks go out to Mary as well! š
I love Kate DiCamillo and I loved Edward, Tiger Rising, Winn-Dixie,and all her literature. She ROCKS!!!! š
(pass it on)
I’m trying to Truly!!!!
Your website is awsome
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this book is coll and its sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111lolololol
I am 62 yrs old, but still love some childrens books for the way they teach lessons. I just enjoy the charm and innocence of them. This book of Edward Tulane, was one of the best, right up there with Velveteen Rabbit for me. It had me in tears last two pages too. When I began to realize what was about to happen, too good to hope for, and it happened!! LOVED IT!!!! I wish I could talk more of my adult friends into reading some childrens books. I read her book on Winn Dixie too, but forgot it was her when I bought this one, just ran across it at Amazon as I do usually some good stuff.. Thanks to Kate so much for her books!!!
This story is wonderfully written. My 6th graders enjoyed it thoroughly, and I have read it 3 years in a row now. Hope if becomes a movie, but if not, that’s fine. With stories like these, sometimes a movie can ruin a good book. š
The movie can indeed ruin a book like this if not handled well. I still wouldn’t mind if they gave it a try, but like you I will be okay if they never do.