Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into one another’s lives. And what happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out.

Includes a brand-new short story, The Tapestry at Norendy, inspired by the world of Despereaux.

A mouse is born -- Chiaroscuro -- Gor! The tale of Miggery Sow -- Recalled to the light -- Coda -=- The tapestry at Norendy : an original short story.