Module 8: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Toulane

Book Summary

Edward, a handsome porcelain toy rabbit does not know the meaning of love.  One day while his owner is on vacation, Edward gets lost at sea and sinks to the bottom of the ocean.  He winds up in a fisherman's net, and so begins his adventure from one place to another and into the hands of several different people.  As he meets different people, Edward slowly learns the meaning of love.

APA Reference

DiCamillo, K. (2006).  The miraculous journey of Edward Toulane.  Somerville, MA:  Candlewick Press.

Impressions

Being aware of all the accolades this book has received, and being a huge fan of DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie, I expected to really like this book.  I must say I was a little disappointed, but then I usually am when it comes to fantasy fiction.  I felt like DiCamillo was trying to evoke sympathy for Edward near the end, but I wasn't feeling it.  I felt much more invested in all the characters that Edward meets along his journey.  Edward was porcelain rather than stuffed, he was cold and uncaring at the beginning on the story, he sat at the bottom of the ocean and then under a garbage pile... none of these things made me feel like I wanted to snuggle up with him (even if he had changed).  The ending seemed contrived to me -that Edward would end up back with Abilene, but I guess that's why it's fantasy.  The story has an underlying message that is worthwhile, but I wonder how apparent it is to young readers? 

Professional Review

As she did in her Newbery Medal Book, The Tale of Despereaux (2004), DiCamillo tucks important messages into this story and once more plumbs the mystery of the heart--or, in this case, the heartless. Edward Tulane is a china rabbit with an extensive wardrobe. He belongs to 10-year-old Abilene, who thinks almost as highly of Edward as Edward does of himself. Even young children will soon realize that Edward is riding for a fall. And fall he does, into the sea, after mean boys rip him from Abilene's hands during an ocean voyage. Thus begins Edward's journey from watery grave to the gentle embrace of a fisherman's wife, to the care of a hobo and his dog, and into the hands of a dying girl. Then, pure meanness breaks Edward apart, and love and sacrifice put him back together--until just the right child finds him. With every person who taouches him, Edward's heart grows a little bit softer and a little bit bigger. Bruised and battered, Edward is at his most beautiful, and beautiful is a fine word to describe the artwork. Ibatoulline outdoes himself; his precisely rendered sepia-tone drawings and color plates of high artistic merit are an integral part of this handsomely designed package. Yet even standing alone, 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. Category: Books for the Young--Fiction. 2006, Candlewick, $18.99. Gr. 2-4. Starred Review


Cooper, I. (2006, Jan. 1).  [Review of the book The miraculous journey of Edward Toulane by Kate DiCamillo].  Booklist.  Retrieved from  http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2012/05/24/top-100-childrens-novels-59-the-miraculous-journey-of-edward-tulane-by-kate-dicamillo/#_.

 

Library Uses

In the book, Edward gets a new name and sometimes a different outfit with each new person he meets.  Have the students each come up with their own name and outfit for Edward and draw a picture depicting how they see him.


Book cover image from:  http://www.tower.com/miraculous-journey-edward-tulane-kate-dicamillo-book/wapi/112224249?download=true&type=1