alisoncooks Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Did you enjoy reading it? Did your kids? Warning: spoilers. I read it to myself yesterday, and I've been rolling it around and around in my head ever since. Does that make it a good book, then, that I keep thinking on it? :p The thing is, I can't decide if I loved it or quite hated it. The pros: It was moving. I haven't wept so much over a bunny story since the Velveteen. It was engaging. Cons: gosh, the swath of misery in Edward's wake. Lawrence & Nellie - bless their hearts, they probably felt like they lost another child. The "hobo" and poor Bryce. :( Also: I was so ticked that the grandmother (who was obviously from a wealthy family) saw Edward and Bryce (hungry, alone, broken-hearted) and walked on. I was SURE she was going to help the boy. Anyhow. Pointless thread really. I'd just seen this book called a "must read" but idk. Maybe the author and I just don't mesh; I didn't like Desperaux either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raifta Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 My kids hated that book - they found it was just torture over and over again - and I was not that thrilled my it either; aside from Flora and Ulysses we haven't enjoyed any de Camillo books much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 (edited) I would not read it -- it has been a long time but I remember disliking that book. ETA: I loved Because of Winn-Dixie. Read that instead. Edited January 26, 2018 by Vida Winter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heathermomster Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 No, I'm not really a fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom31257 Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 I loved it, and I loved the Tale of Despereaux. I think this particular book is probably too serious for some children. I'm not one for shielding them from the hardness of the world, but they aren't all ready at the same age. I think the book shows that the journey through this life will have it's ups and downs, and sometimes even heartbreaking realities. I love that he became better, not worse over it all. There have been some tragedies in my own life in the last few years, and I find myself wanting that, too. I want them to shape me into a more caring, compassionate person. Often, it's the hard things in life that do, if we allow them to do so. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 No. Kate DiCamillo as an author is kind of hit or miss for me. I loved Because of Winn Dixie, liked Despereaux, disliked Edward Tulane and couldn’t finish Flora and Ulysses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Yes. I adore Kate DiCamillo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8circles Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 LOVE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowbeltmom Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Loved it. Also love The Tale of Despereaux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjand6more Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 DS10 read it this year. He is an active reader(feeler). He loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amber in SJ Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 I didn't like The Tale of Despereaux or Edward Tulane. I wouldn't read it to my littles (when they were little.) Some of it just felt like unnecessary suffering. We have read plenty of books that dealt with the harsh realities of life, but this one seemed over the top. Just my $.02 Amber in SJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwik Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 My kids loved all the Kate Dicamillo books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Yes, we all loved it very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epicurean Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 This essay by the author is relevant: http://time.com/5099463/kate-dicamillo-kids-books-sad/ She believes that children need sad stories so they can experience grief in a safe way and prove to themselves that they can bear feelings and real life experiences that would otherwise seem overwhelming. I agree with her. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea1 Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 We loved it and also love The Tale of Despereaux. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_JWM Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Loved it and love Kate DiCamillo - we met her a few years ago and she was wonderful. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMD Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 Loved it. We did it in a book club, kids aged around 8 - 12, everyone loved it. I think DiCamillo writes beautiful, powerful, books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.