The Tale of Despereaux and the Power of Storytelling

“Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark. Begin at the beginning. Tell Gregory a story. Make some light.” – Gregory the Jailer

What makes a book “children’s literature?” Are there singing animals and fairy princesses? Is it completely censored of anything overprotective parents might find inappropriate? Or can it reawaken a sense of childlike wonder in its reader? Children’s literature is a highly disputed genre; there are many literary works that despite being written for a younger audience, feature profound themes that capture the minds of adults. Personally, I associate The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo with my childhood because it is one of the books my mother read to my siblings and me as children, and because it makes me feel a sense of wonder.

There is nothing quite like The Tale of Despereaux; it is a unique book that deals with themes of love, grief, forgiveness, and hope. It is ideal to read to children because of its straightforward plot but is also enjoyable for adults because of DiCamillo’s elegant writing.