《爱德华的奇妙之旅》

    Edward Tulane is a china rabbit with a big 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 trip.

    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 touches him, Edward’s heart grows a little bit softer and a little bit bigger. Along the way, we are shown a miracle — that even a heart of the most breakable kind can learn to love, to lose, and to love again. Bruised* and beaten, Edward is at his most beautiful, and beautiful is a fine word to describe the artwork. His various handlers and owners each help Edward’s salvation* in small ways.

    Illustrator* Bagram Ibatoulline does a great job. Yet even standing alone, the story is good because of Kate DiCamillo’s lyrical* use of language and her understanding of universal yearnings*.

    DiCamillo is the author of “The Magician’s Elephant,” a New York Times bestseller, “The Tale of Despereaux,” which was awarded the Newbery Medal, “Because of Winn-Dixie,” a Newbery Honor book, and six books starring Mercy Watson.

    (SD-Agencies)