DiCAMILLO, Kate. The Tale of Despereaux Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread. Illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick [2003]. 8vo, 272pp. Color pictorial boards. Patterned endpapers; 22 full-page b&w illustrations. A fine copy in original color pictorial dust jacket (no medal affixed). Signed by the author, two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo.

First edition, in the first state dust jacket, having no barcode or printed price. 2004 Newbery Medal Winner! Despereaux Tilling is a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. Roscuro is a rat who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And Miggery Sow is a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. How these three find their lives intertwining in the most remarkable adventure makes for a spellbinding tale. The basis for the animated film of the same name.