The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

By Kate DiCamillo
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Reviewed by Noelle

If you ever wished a book like The Velveteen Rabbit was a full length novel, you should pick up this story. Edward Tulane is a large china rabbit living with a 10 year old girl named Abilene. He is a beautiful toy with beautiful clothes, and he thinks quite a lot of himself but not of the little girl who loves him. Then one day, Abilene's grandmother, who had had Edward made, tells Abilene a bedtime story about a beautiful princess who cared for no one and came to a bad end. "You disappoint me," she tells Edward. Edward is confused about the message of the story until the day when he ends up accidentally at the bottom of the ocean and his amazing journey to different places with different people begins. It is a story of learning to love and always having hope of finding someone to love you and to love in return. The book's beautiful illustrations and timeless feel mark it as an instant classic. Although the saccharine sweetness of the story might turn off some readers, it one of those rare stories that is so touching and beautiful, it is tough to not like it. If you liked Because of Winn-Dixie or The Tale of Despeareaux you might well like this book, too.