The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane - Kate DiCamillo

Summary: Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene, who treated him with the utmost care and adored him completely.

And then, one day, he was lost.

Kate DiCamillo takes us on an extraordinary journey, from the depths of the ocean to the net of a fisherman, from the top of a garbage heap to the fireside of a hoboes' camp, from the bedside of an ailing child to the bustling streets of Memphis. And along the way, we are shown a true miracle — that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again.

My Review: Edward Tulane is a porcelain rabbit who thinks very highly of himself and very little about those who care for him. One day he is separated from the little girl who loves him and his perspective begins to change. Edward is now on a journey from one home to another where he learns the power of love.

I read this book aloud with my children. While the language was a bit advanced for my 4 year-old, it was about right for my 7-year-old. With a bit of explanation both children thoroughly enjoyed the tale. As we read I received many requests for "just one more chapter". Together we had a great deal of fun trying to predict Edward's next journey after we closed the book for the night. The writing was detailed enough to keep both children enthralled with limited illustrations. The few illustrations that were included were absolutely beautiful.

Edward's ultimate journey was in the discovery of love, what it means to love others more than you love yourself. A good lesson overall. Deep in emotion, parts of this book had me reading all choked up. The ending left me with goosebumps and had both kids begging for more.

My Rating: 5 Stars from the kids, 4 stars from me - Either way, I'm sure we will be reading it again soon.

If I had to sum it up in one phrase it would be: A charming tale of a porcelain rabbit who discovers what it means to be loved and to love in return.