I am grateful to the following individuals for their
unflagging love, patience, and support during the
telling of the mouse’s tale: Karla Rydrych,
Jane St. Anthony, Cindy Rogers, Jane Resh Thomas,
Jason William Walton, Alison McGhee,
Holly McGhee, Lisa Beck, and Tracey Bailey.
Despereaux and I are also deeply indebted to
Kara LaReau — editor, visionary, friend.
This book was written with the help of a generous grant
from the McKnight Foundation.