THE MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF EDWARD TULANE by Kate DiCamillo
Edward Tulane is a finely crafted china rabbit who belongs to a girl called Abilene. He is very proud of his craftsmanship and his fancy clothes and spends most of his time thinking about how wonderful he is. Although Abilene loves him, Edward doesn’t love anyone but himself. When Abilene’s grandmother tells a story about a witch who cast a horrible spell on a selfish man because he didn’t know how to love, Edward doesn’t think the story has anything to do with him. But when Abilene takes him along on an ocean voyage and he falls overboard, Edward realizes that the witch’s curse may have affected him as well. So begins Edward’s incredible journey through the ocean and on land as his adventures teach him how to love.
Winner of a Christopher Award for “affirming high values of the human spirit,” this simple novel reads like a fairy tale. Although on the reading level for 3rd-4th graders, it would make a great read-aloud for younger children in grades K-2 as well.
If you liked The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, you might also like The Velveteen Rabbit, which has a similar tone and message. If you are up for a longer read, you may enjoy The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Susan the Librarian 