The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo

Book Overview

A timeless tale by the incomparable Kate DiCamillo, complete with stunning full-color plates by Bagram Ibatoulline, honors the enduring power of love. 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.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0763625892
• ISBN13: 9780763625894
• Release Date: February 2006
• Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
• Length: 228 Pages
• Weight: 1.24 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.3" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 7 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 5

Customer Reviews

The Perfect Book

I was amazed at this book. It was casually recommended to me by my mother whose sister had likewise done to her. I didn't think anything of it. I'd never heard of it. My mother told me I really needed to read it and it was a quick read. It is a quick read. I finished it in one evening (it did not take the whole evening). This book is BEAUTIFUL. Yes, the artwork is gorgeous. In the hardcover book, some of them are color and are gorgeous. The story itself--it's breathtaking, heartwarming, and heartbreaking. I was impressed with the many types of subject matter brought up and how they were crafted to be age-appropriate. I don't know how Kate DiCamillo figured out the equation for how much to get into these different topics, but it truly is amazing. This is a book children and adults will love alike. I can't say from a child's POV because I just read it this year for the first time. But as an adult, I'm impressed. I was enchanted. And I now own a copy.

Ranked as One of My Favorite Books

This is a beautifully written book that has turned into one of, not only mine, but my children and granddaughter's, favorite books. The characters are written with depth, and you find yourself caring for them. It is a great, and sometimes sad story, but one you will be grateful that you had the privilege to read.

Favorite book

One of my favorite books and a kid and i still love it now as a young adult Really good story and character development Makes me cry in some parts by just how close to home it hits

One of my favorites!

This is one of my all time favorite books! I absolutely love it. The storytelling is rich and even though Edward cannot talk to those around him, he's quite expressive. Edward is a jerk. A self absorbed, pretentious little rabbit with a China face in his fancy silk suits and ears made of real rabbit fur. He thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread until he finds himself at the bottom of the ocean, that is. When he's finally rescued, things don't seem much better for him from there, but at least he's not being crushed under the sea. Edward is found and adopted multiple times, each time given a new name and new friends. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is an incredible story of love, selflessness, and finding your way back home. The thing I love the most about this book is that it transcends age--you don't have to be six years old to enjoy it, but it's not so complex that it couldn't be read to young children and they thoroughly enjoy it. I first read it at 25 when I lost someone very close to me. It was comforting and I read it over and over, so when I found it here I jumped at the chance to own it. I highly recommend this book anyone, of any age.

Great read.

Although you think this a children's book, I recommend this for adults for the lesson it teaches. Love. At times sad, you want Edward to get home and be loved. Good characters throughout Edward's odyssey. Because it really is about an odyssey.

The Miraculous Journey

This book is about a childs toy, a bunny with a china Face who goes around the world and back again to learn how to love and not be so selfish. Personally I found this book to be a bit sad. Every character was written beautifully but sometimes loosing a character is good and sometimes sad.

A beautiful read

Wonderful story. Great for any age. I gave my copy to my friend's daughter and I'm now about to purchase another copy for my own Library. Truly a wholesome story with a moral thread. Trustworthy author for children's books of any age.

My daughter's favorite book

My daughter is 9. She likes to read, but she never read a book so fast. She could not put it down and had it finished in 2 days. Then I read it to her because she asked me to. Then she wanted to read it to me. The illustrations are beautiful, and I think it's worth it to get the hardcover with colored illustrations because I have both. I loved reading it too. It includes life lessons on so many levels. It is a story of how love and empathy give life it's true meaning, and how difficult experiences can build character and compassion. It also teaches to stay hopeful and that beauty can come out of pain. I could go on!

More than a children's book

No matter your age, this book is for you. It's a fantastic tale with a Pinocchio like feeling. This book is heartbreaking in all the best ways and still leaves you feeling loved. Edward Tulane takes you on his journey and teaches you to never lose hope. It's worth passing down to generations to come.

Heartbreaking and astonishing

A book that must be approached with caution, but approach you should (ideally with your child in hand). As tempting as it might be to hand it off to a seven year-old, save it to read with an older child. Like other reviewers I read it to my middle-schooler. At times we almost couldn't bear to go on, but its story of loss, love and redemption is too rare in young adult fiction (so much better to read this than a Gossip Girls book!) We both choked up on several occasions, but it's important to teach children the cathartic power of books. Our family is a fan of "toys with souls" literature, having read Hitty and Rumer Godden and the Meanest Doll in the World. This is a book that moves in a different and challenging direction. Yes Edward is thoroughly unlikable for much of the book. But we learn that love is not easily won and is to be treasured. Best for an older child 9 and up and with adult guidance.

A child's book every adult should read!

The story of Edward Tulane--the arrogant, little china rabbit--is one that every adult should read and have on their shelf for grandchildren, and friends. The lessons this little rabbit learns about life, learning to love and love again, are truly a gift from the author. The reader is given hope, in the midst of sometimes devastating circumstances, that one can not only love for the first time, but can aquire a depth of love which increases in its gratitude for others. Watching Edward go through different "owners," acquiring a variety of names (and being humbled in some instances!), and learning the different lessons about love in the process, was absolutely priceless! I don't think I have ever cried so much reading a children's story, as I did when Edward's heart began to ache with love and concern for little Sarah Ruth. It is destined to become a classic, and I think C.S. Lewis would have loved it! The artist created wonderful illustrations also--they reminded me of the many old fashioned books of my mother's, which I found as a child and spent hours pouring the pictures.

A truly wonderful story

I have been a fan of Kate DiCamillo since the publication of her last book, The Tale of Despereaux. After reading that book I quickly read her back list and was even more impressed. In The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane we are given a glimpse of arrogance gone wild. The china doll is made to feel special and is loved so much by his owner that he can't conceive he holds any other position than the center of the universe. Then, in an unexpected event, Edward Tulane is thrust into the depths of despair and only thru the kind acts of others is he taught the meaning of love. His various handlers and owners each contribute to Edwards salvation in small ways. I found this story to be profoundly touching. I suspect that many grandparents such as myself will find themselves reading this story to our grandchildren. I certainly plan to do so at the earliest opportunity. Kate DiCamillo is truly a national treasure. I look forward to future stories and the development of her as a great author.

Dicamillo's best work yet!

Kate Dicamllo has triumphed again, writing what I consider her best book yet, "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane." I read it in about an hour and sat crying over the last chapter. The tears were happy tears, though, and the ending very satisfying. The story revolves around the character of Edward Tulane, a vain china rabbit who is loved by his owner but feels no love in return. A misadventure throws him out of his pampered life and into a path of a series of fascinating people, each one more lovely than the last. Edward's heart grows and grows until the question is not can Edward love, but can he love again after the depth of his heartbreak. Dicalmillo has a pared down narrative style that is refreshing and throught-provoking. "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" may be a children's book, but it is never childish. The message about loving and being loved is one that is important for people of all ages.

Extraordinary.

If this book doesn't bring tears to your eyes, then perhaps you need to make a journey similar to Edward's. With her previous three books Kate DiCamillo had already proven to me, as a reader, that she is a spectacular author. With the attention my students pay to her writing, I can see, as a teacher, her tremendous skill and value to the world of books and reading. Hands down though, this story is her best yet. The plot is simple enough that my four year old sat entranced as we read the first 50 pages together tonight. It is compelling enough that I had to plow through the remaining 150 pages to get to the end. This is the kind of book that you clasp to your chest when you finish it and then place reverently on a shelf to await the next reading. It is the kind of book that you will treasure and recommend to others. Don't pass this book by because it sits in the children's section...this book is for everyone. There is an obvious reason that this book was released on Valentine's Day...the simple theme of love is what drives this story. As DiCamillo puts it: "If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless." If you are open to falling in love with a china rabbit named Edward Tulane, then pick up this book at once. You will not be disappointed.