DiCamillo is the Newbery Award winning author of "Because of Winn Dixie" and "The Tale of Despereaux".
"The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane",first published in 2006, is a beautifully written book, which more resembles a vintage book than a current one. There are beautiful black and white illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline.
The book concerns Edward Tulane, a china rabbit with a beautiful wardrobe and a lovely gold pocket watch. Edward belongs to a little girl named Abilene,whose grandmother,Pellegrina, had Edward and his clothes specially made for Abilene. Abilene loves Edward, changing his clothes every day,winding his watch, sitting him at the dinner table when the family eats, and putting him to bed every night. But Edward loves no one but himself.
Every night Abilene asks Pellegrina for a story, and every night Pellegrina says,"Not tonight lady." But on the night before Abilene and her parents are to sail on the Queen Mary, Pellegrina says,"Tonight lady,there will be a story." Pellegrina's black eyes fix on Edward as she tells a tale of a beautiful princess "who loved no one and cared nothing for love,even thought there were many who loved her."
Spurning a suitor's declaration of love,the princess runs deep in the woods, where she becomes lost. She meets a witch and asks for food. The witch demands to know who the princess loves. When the princess insists that she loves no one, the witch simply says, "You disappoint me.", and turns the princess into a wart hog as punishment for...what? Edward can't figure out why the princess is punished. But when Pellegrina takes Edward from Abilene's bed after the story and places him in his own bed, she leans close to his face and whispers,"You disappoint me."
Edward is tossed overboard during the ocean voyage by some boys, and sinks to the bottom of the ocean. Alone in the dark water he experiences his first emotion: fear.
Eventually Edward is rescued from the sea,and the story follows him as he passes from companion to companion. One new acquaintance advises Edward that to be loved one "must open your heart".
Will Edward learn to love?
I have to say, this book will have you crying.
But I'll tell you something else: You're going to love the ending.
I would say this book is for slightly older children,as there are some scenes that may be disturbing for younger kids. The age recommendation for readers is listed as '8 and up'. I highly recommend the book. It's a touching,beautiful story.
