Kate DiCamillo is also the author of The Tale of Despereaux, Because of Winn Dixie and over a dozen other books. Edward Tulane: All eyes in the book are on Edward. All through the novel, the reader is a part of his exploits. Edward, the lovable porcelain bunny doll, doesn’t start out in the story realizing how blessed he is to have such a loving owner. At the conclusion of his adventure, Edward has learned what it’s like to love and be loved by another person.

It isn’t long after that Abilene’s father shares the announcement of a family trip to London. Abilene decides to take Edward of course, but after an incident with some boys on the ship, Edward is stripped of his fancy clothing, thrown overboard, and sinks to the bottom of the dark ocean. Naked and alone, he becomes scared. Feeling a true emotion for the first time, he then begins to question his future. What will happen to poor Edward now? Edward Tulane is a china rabbit who only loves himself. He lives with a little girl and her family, happily sitting in his chair in the dining room while the girl is in school and spending all of his time with her when she is at home. Until tragedy strikes when he is accidentally sent overboard on a cruise to London. Edward spends a good deal of time on the ocean floor before a fisherman comes along and catches him in his nets after a storm. At the home of the fisherman and his wife, Edward is dressed in dresses and his name is changed. In spite of that, he finds happiness with the couple until their daughter comes along to ruin everything by sending him to the town's garbage dump.

This is the harrowing tale of a china rabbit doll who is separated from his young owner and undergoes a series of harrowing adventures over a number of years before finding a happy resolution.

What charmed me about this book was having it read to me in 20 minute segments at night by one of my grand children. And seeing how the book spoke to her much-less-jaded heart, and how she rejoiced in the ending. And hearing the beauty of the 'story telling voice' in this book that does not shrink from a sophisticated vocabulary in choosing the right word over the simpler word. Lovingly told, DiCamillo’s affection for her characters shines through and overtakes you and by the book’s end, readers will care deeply. Kate DiCamillo and Yoko Tanaka, the illustrator of The Magician's Elephant, discuss the writing and illustrating of the book. In a separate Q&A, Kate discusses The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

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Literally, it's about a china rabbit, 3 feet tall, with all manner of uppity airs about himself. The grandmother of his owner, a little girl who lavishes attention on him, tells a grim, Grimm-like fairy tale of a witch who turns a beautiful (but heartless) princess into a warthog. Then Granny eyes the rabbit and says, quite simply, "You disappoint me." What "A" (fairy tale) has to do with "B" (Granny's disappointment with Edward) is for DiCamillo to know and the reader to find out.

Although this may have been written for younger readers I believe it will be enjoyed by people of all ages. If you don't cry at some point you're as heartless as Edward is in the beginning. However, despite the tears, you will be left with a happy ending. I have to admit that I bawled like a baby when I finished this book, a modern classic. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo is the story of Edward Tulane, a china rabbit who becomes lost from the little girl who loves him. His travels span the course of more than 30 years as he tries to find love and happiness again, even if it means having a life without his former owner. As Edward goes from place to place he also changes emotionally. He meets new people that help him along his path and he not only finds the true meaning of love but he also finds his way home. This is a classic children's tale of hope, loss, change, but most importantly love.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. Bird, Elizabeth (July 7, 2012). "Top 100 Chapter Book Poll Results". A Fuse #8 Production. Blog. School Library Journal (blog.schoollibraryjournal.com) . Retrieved 2012-08-22. Years later, when my youngest sister started the fourth grade, she brought home a book. She said the teacher was reading it to her class and that she was loving it. What's it called? I asked. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, she said. I'm loving it, she added, it's an amazing story. Let's see here." She looked and nothing matched. I tried another combination of names. Nothing gave me the book that made me feel more than anything else.