Edward Tulane

DiCamillo, Kate. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Illus. Bagram Ibatoulline. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick, 2006.

Edward Tulane is a china rabbit. He thinks quite a lot of himself. He has fine silk clothes, a pocket watch, and a bed. Edward belongs to 10 year old Abilene Tulane. Abilene treats Edward as a real person instead of a china rabbit. Abilene loves Edward, but Edward doesn't understand love. Edward becomes separated from Abilene and becomes someone different to various people. To Lawrence the fisherman and his wife Nellie, Edward is transformed into Susanna. To the hobo Bull and his dog Lucy, Edward is Malone. To an old woman with a garden, Edward is Clyde, scarecrow extraordinaire. To Bryce and his sick sister Sarah Ruth, Edward is transformed into Jangles, the dancing rabbit. On these adventures, Edward learns about love and how painful it can be. He is accidentally broken and lives contentedly in a toy shop. He doesn't want to be bought. He's had enough of love, but one day, a little girl comes to the shop with her mother. Maggie recognizes Edward as Edward Tulane. Abilene is her mother. Edward has returned to his first loving owner. He's willing to love again.

What I Thought: This was an endearing story. The books reads quickly: it only took me 30 minutes to read. The pictures are lovely and so detailed. Edward's story reminded me of Rachel Field's Hitty, Her First Hundred Years (the 1930 Newberry Award Winner). Field chronicles the adventure and misadventures of Hitty, a wooden doll. For children who enjoy Edward Tulane, they might also like to read Hitty's story.