The tale of despereaux g 1h 33min animation adventure comedy 19 december 2008 usa 213 trailer 2 videos 63 images an unusually brave mouse helps to restore happiness to a forlorn kingdom after making friends with a gentleman rat. The tale of despereaux is a 2003 childrens fantasy book written by kate dicamillothe main plot follows the adventures of a mouse named despereaux tilling as he sets out on his quest to rescue a beautiful human princess from the rats the book won the 2004 newbery medal award. The tale of despereaux is a 2008 british american computer animated adventure fantasy film directed by sam fell and rob stevenhagen in his feature directorial debut loosely based on the 2003 book of the same name by kate dicamillothe film is narrated by sigourney weaver and stars matthew broderick robbie coltrane frances conroy tony hale ciaran hinds dustin hoffman richard jenkins . An accident leaves the king brokenhearted the sunshine fades and the soup disappears into this world is born despereaux matthew broderick a book loving mouse and friend to princess pea emma