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Quick answer: If you loved The Tale of Despereaux, read Kate DiCamillo's The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and Because of Winn-Dixie, then Redwall, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH and The Wind in the Willows. All are tender animal stories of bravery, forgiveness and unlikely friendship.
Kate DiCamillo's 2003 Newbery winner follows Despereaux Tilling, a tiny mouse who loves music, stories and a princess, and who is banished to the dungeon. It is a classic fairy tale told with warmth and a narrator who speaks directly to readers. The books below offer similar brave small heroes, gentle humour and heartfelt storytelling.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane | Kate DiCamillo | Ages 8-12 | tender journey |
| Because of Winn-Dixie | Kate DiCamillo | Ages 8-12 | a dog and a town |
| The Magician's Elephant | Kate DiCamillo | Ages 8-12 | fairy-tale wonder |
| Flora & Ulysses | Kate DiCamillo | Ages 8-12 | comic adventure |
| Redwall | Brian Jacques | Ages 9-13 | animal epic |
| Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH | Robert C. O'Brien | Ages 8-12 | classic adventure |
| Charlotte's Web | E. B. White | Ages 6-12 | classic friendship |
| The Wind in the Willows | Kenneth Grahame | Ages 6-12 | riverbank friendships |
| Stuart Little | E. B. White | Ages 6-10 | tiny hero |
| The Cricket in Times Square | George Selden | Ages 8-12 | city friends |
| The Wild Robot | Peter Brown | Ages 8-12 | robot and animals |
| The One and Only Ivan | Katherine Applegate | Ages 8-12 | gorilla narrator |
| Ella Enchanted | Gail Carson Levine | Ages 9-13 | fairy-tale heroine |
| The Last Unicorn | Peter S. Beagle | Ages 12+ | lyrical quest |
| The Princess Bride | William Goldman | Ages 12+ | fairy-tale parody |
1. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
A proud china rabbit is lost and learns to love. Beautiful and sad, with a hopeful ending.
Best for: tender journey.
2. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
A girl and a stray dog bring people together. Gentle and funny.
Best for: a dog and a town.
3. The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
A boy searches for his lost sister after a magician conjures an elephant. Lyrical and strange.
Best for: fairy-tale wonder.
4. Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo
A girl rescues a squirrel who gains superpowers. Funny and original.
Best for: comic adventure.
5. Redwall by Brian Jacques
Mice, badgers and hares defend an abbey from rats. Rich with feasts and fights.
Best for: animal epic.
6. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
A widowed mouse asks for help from a colony of clever rats. A Newbery winner.
Best for: classic adventure.
7. Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
A spider saves a pig by weaving words. A timeless story of loyalty.
Best for: classic friendship.
8. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad share adventures. A classic for reading aloud.
Best for: riverbank friendships.
9. Stuart Little by E. B. White
A mouse-like boy sets out on an adventure. Whimsical and odd.
Best for: tiny hero.
10. The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
A cricket, a mouse and a cat live in a New York subway station. Charming and musical.
Best for: city friends.
11. The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
A robot washes up on an island and learns from its animals. Short and gentle.
Best for: robot and animals.
12. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
A gorilla in a mall tries to help a baby elephant. Gentle and moving.
Best for: gorilla narrator.
13. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
A girl cursed with obedience fights to be free. Funny and charming.
Best for: fairy-tale heroine.
14. The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle
A unicorn searches for others of her kind. Beautiful and bittersweet.
Best for: lyrical quest.
15. The Princess Bride by William Goldman
A farm boy and his true love face pirates and giants. Witty and loved.
Best for: fairy-tale parody.
How to Choose
For more DiCamillo choose Edward Tulane, Because of Winn-Dixie or The Magician's Elephant. For animal epics pick Redwall, Mrs. Frisby or The Wind in the Willows. For modern gentle tales read The Wild Robot or The One and Only Ivan. For fairy-tale humour try Ella Enchanted or The Princess Bride. Despereaux has a few frightening scenes, so younger children may prefer reading it together. DiCamillo's narrator addresses the reader directly, which makes the book a lovely read-aloud for families. Despereaux is a story with several narrators and a storyteller who speaks to the reader, so it is lovely to read in short chapters over several evenings. After this, readers often move on to the other DiCamillo novels. If your child likes fairy-tale humour, The Princess Bride and Ella Enchanted are charming next steps. Libraries usually have most of these titles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Tale of Despereaux about?
A small mouse who loves music and a princess goes on a brave quest.
Who wrote it?
Kate DiCamillo.
When was it published?
2003.
Did it win a prize?
Yes, the 2004 Newbery Medal.
Is there a film?
Yes, a 2008 animated film. The film differs from the book.
What age is it for?
Usually ages 8 to 12.
Is it scary?
Some scenes in the dungeon are dark, but the ending is hopeful.
What should I read next?
Try The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.
Is The Tale of Despereaux a fairy tale?
Yes, it includes a princess, a dungeon, a rat and a brave mouse.
Who illustrated the book?
Timothy Basil Ering.