It all starts simply: A china rabbit, a house, and a girl. And then one day, the rabbit, who is named Edward Tulane, disappears and begins a miraculous journey. Newbery medalist Kate diCamillo and artist Bagram Ibatoulline have created a piercingly beautiful story about love, loss, and the power to love again.
DiCamillo's latest novel, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, may well be her best. It is an elegant volume of creamy pages with a handsome typeface and generous margins in a pale green binding. Bagram Ibatoulline's haunting color plates and sepia illustrations at the beginning of each chapter evoke the era of Andrew Wyeth, Howard Pyle and Maxfield Parrish. The novel is set in the storybook land of no specific time or locale. There are no annoying cellphones or Starbucks cafes. Not even the pictures give a clue to the exact period covered by the events. It could be the America of the Great Depression reconstructed on a vast Hollywood back lot.
— The New York Times
Equal parts fantasy and old-fashioned heart-tugger, DiCamillo's (Because of Winn-Dixie) timeless tale about the adventures of a china rabbit proves fine material for family listening in the capable hands of actress Ivey, who brings deeper hues of emotion to an already colorfully original script. China rabbit Edward Tulane is a dapper, rather full-of-himself fellow, never appreciating the love heaped on him by his 10-year-old owner Abilene. But when Edward is tossed overboard during a trans-Atlantic voyage with Abilene's family, he discovers that his own complicated journey is just beginning. Ivey provides a stalwart, straightforward narration and additionally proves an agile player, delivering the accents and voices of the variegated cast that drifts in and out of Edward's life. As Ivey brings Edward's travels full circle, listeners will wholly believe his subtle yet magical transformation. Ages 7-up. (Feb.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Gr 3-6-This achingly beautiful story shows a true master of writing at her very best. Edward Tulane is an exceedingly vain, cold-hearted china rabbit owned by 10-year-old Abilene Tulane, who dearly loves him. Her grandmother relates a fairy tale about a princess who never felt love; she then whispers to Edward that he disappoints her. His path to redemption begins when he falls overboard during the family's ocean journey. Sinking to the bottom of the sea where he will spend 297 days, Edward feels his first emotion-fear. Caught in a fisherman's net, he lives with the old man and his wife and begins to care about his humans. Then their adult daughter takes him to the dump, where a dog and a hobo find him. They ride the rails together until Edward is cruelly separated from them. His heart is truly broken when next owner, four-year-old Sarah Ruth, dies. He recalls Abilene's grandmother with a new sense of humility, wishing she knew that he has learned to love. When his head is shattered by an angry man, Edward wants to join Sarah Ruth but those he has loved convince him to live. Repaired by a doll store owner, he closes his heart to love, as it is too painful, until a wise doll tells him that he that he must open his heart for someone to love him. This superb book is beautifully written in spare yet stirring language. The tender look at the changes from arrogance to grateful loving is perfectly delineated. Ibatoulline's lovely sepia-toned gouache illustrations and beautifully rendered color plates are exquisite. An ever-so-marvelous tale.-B. Allison Gray, John Jermain Library, Sag Harbor, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Once again, DiCamillo harkens back to an older storytelling style, filled with magic and the transformational power of love. Edward Tulane is a china rabbit-dapper and serious and more than a little superior. His mistress, Abilene Tulane, loved him and "thought almost as highly of Edward as Edward thought of himself." Edward is interested in little beyond his own comfort and beauty. Indeed, everyone except for Abilene's grandmother, Pellegrina, condescends to him. She commissioned his making, ordered his dapper clothing and smart pocket watch and, in the end, demanded a good deal more of Edward than he thought he wanted to give. Her warning, "You disappoint me," thrusts Edward into the adventure that becomes his life. He learns about love, loss and consequences. Somewhere between fairy tale and fable, DiCamillo spins the tale of Edward, transformed by the lives he touches. The reader will be transformed too. Sumptuous gouache illustrations complement the old-fashioned, dramatic narrative. Keep the tissues handy for this one. (Fiction. 7+)
Just because it’s intended for a younger audience doesn’t mean there isn’t something worthwhile in there for us all.
—Sara Jessica Parker
One reading is hardly enough to savor the rich philosophical nuances of DiCamillo’s story. I think I will go read it again right now.
—The New York Times Book Review
This achingly beautiful story shows a true master of writing at her very best.
—School Library Journal (starred review)
The story soars because of DiCamillo's lyrical use of language and her understanding of universal yearnings. This will be a pleasure to read aloud.
—Booklist (starred review)
Once again, DiCamillo harkens back to an older storytelling style, filled with magic and the transformational power of love. . . . The reader will be transformed, too.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
There will be inevitable comparison of Edward Tulane to The Velveteen Rabbit, and Margery Williams's classic story can still charm after 83 years. But as delightful as it is, it can't match the exquisite language, inventive plot twists, and memorable characters of DiCamillo's tale.
—Publishers Weekly, boxed signature review
The delicate sepia images that head each chapter and the full-color illustrations augment the emotional tenor of the book.
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
DiCamillo writes tenderly and lyrically but with restraint, keeping a tight focus on Edward’s experience and gradual awakening.
—The Horn Book
Bagram Ibatoulline's exquisite illustrations cast a warm light across this . . . tale by one of today's most admired writers for children.
—Wall Street Journal
DiCamillo has carved out a distinct place as one of her generation's most beloved writers.
—Chicago Tribune
When Edward's journey ends, the reader will be wishing this story could go on and on.
—Washington Post Book World
In the tradition of poignant, beloved children's classics like Don Freeman's Corduroy and Anna Sewell's Black Beauty comes best-selling, Newbery Medal-winning author Kate DiCamillo's utterly charming creation The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. . . . With traditional illustrations and text that begs to be read aloud, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane will quickly take a place of honor on every child's bookshelf, undoubtedly and deservedly.
—Time Out New York Kids
DiCamillo . . . is a natural children's-book writer.
—Boston Herald
This choice is destined to become a classic.
—Dallas Morning News
DiCamillo’s book is as much a literary miracle as Edward’s transformation.
—Raleigh News and Observer
DiCamillo’s newest offering is full of lovely, stately language, a riveting plot and a message that is heartwarming without being preachy. Fans of Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux will not be disappointed. . . .This tale has 'destined to be classic' written all over it, and it lives up to its great promise.
—Book Page
A rare and beautiful book that remains in the soul.
—San Diego Union-Tribune
Elegantly designed, with delicate, full-color plate paintings by Bagram Ibatoulline, it has the look of a classic.
—Miami Herald
Lovingly told, DiCamillo's affection for her characters shines through and overtakes you and by the book's end, readers will care deeply.
—Honolulu Advertiser
A new classic has been forged.
—Pittsburgh Post Gazette
The powerful storytelling of bestselling author DiCamillo paired with Ibatoulline’s luminous paintings, will leave no reader — child or adult — unmoved.
—Child
Beautifully designed, with plenty of old fashioned illustrations.
—Seattle Times
A riveting tale, by turns sad and joyous.
—Scripps-Howard News Service, Best Children’s Books roundup
The miracle of Edward Tulane’s journey is the miracle of learning to love.
—ForeWord Magazine
Exemplifies the art of bookmaking as well as excellence in storytelling and illustration.
—Reading Today
A remarkable, eloquent and genuinely moving story. . . . Hang onto this title as one to remember for graduation gifts.
—Denver Post
Ibatoulline outdoes himself — Yet even standing alone, the story soars because of DiCamillo’s lyrical use of language and universal yearnings.
—Book Links
The sad yet hopeful story of a selfish china rabbit that learns to love is beautifully written, and the sepia-toned gouache illustrations make this book one to treasure for many years.
—Kansas City Star
Newbery Award winner Kate DiCamillo constructs an old-fashioned story about a vain and selfish china rabbit who learns the value (and price) of love. Edward's journey is difficult--and even horrifying, as when he sinks to the ocean floor--but Judith Ivey's steady and compassionate narration makes one confident that everything will turn out all right in the end. And Ivey's skillful accent changes, from a New England fisherman and his wife to a Southern hobo and his dog, help communicate Edward's physical travels across the country better even than the text does. However, listeners may want to seek out the print book to see Bagram Ibatoulline's evocative illustrations, which are not included with the audio packaging. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine
Newbery Award winner Kate DiCamillo constructs an old-fashioned story about a vain and selfish china rabbit who learns the value (and price) of love. Edward's journey is difficult--and even horrifying, as when he sinks to the ocean floor--but Judith Ivey's steady and compassionate narration makes one confident that everything will turn out all right in the end. And Ivey's skillful accent changes, from a New England fisherman and his wife to a Southern hobo and his dog, help communicate Edward's physical travels across the country better even than the text does. However, listeners may want to seek out the print book to see Bagram Ibatoulline's evocative illustrations, which are not included with the audio packaging. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine
