One of my favorite children’s book authors is Kate DiCamillo. You may know her from Because Of Winn-Dixieor The Tale of Desperaux, both delightful.
But today I want to recommend her book, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, which begins: “Once, in a house on Egypt Street, there lived a rabbit who was made almost entirely of china.”
The hero of the story, a toy rabbit named Edward Tulane, was very pleased with himself, and for good reason: he was owned by a girl named Abilene who adored him completely. And then, one day, he was lost at sea.
The story follows Edward through many struggles: living with an old fisherman and his wife, abandoned in a dump, travelling with a hobo, giving comfort to a sick child, and more.
At one level, the story is as warm and charming as a child’s favorite toy. At another level, it has the feel of a harrowing, dangerous, yet adventurous journey across the world, like a child’s version of The Odyssey.
Edward Tulane is a real gem. Check it out.
Geoffery Alan Moore
