Kate DiCamillo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kate DiCamillo
DiCamillo at the 2018 National Book Festival
Born	Katrina Elizabeth DiCamillo (1964-03-25) March 25, 1964 (age 61) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation	Writer
Genre	Children's fiction
Notable works	Because of Winn-Dixie The Tiger Rising The Tale of Despereaux The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures Mercy Watson series
Notable awards	Newbery Medal 2004, 2014 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature 2014–15
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Katrina Elizabeth DiCamillo (born March 25, 1964) is a famous American author who writes books for children. She has written over 25 novels. Some of her most popular books include Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, and Flora & Ulysses.

Her books have sold about 37 million copies worldwide. Many of her stories have been made into movies. Two of her books have even become musicals. Kate DiCamillo has won many awards for her writing. She won the Newbery Medal twice, for The Tale of Despereaux and Flora & Ulysses. This makes her one of only six authors to win this special award more than once.

Kate DiCamillo was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When she was five, her family moved to Clermont, Florida, where she grew up. She later earned a degree in English from the University of Florida, Gainesville. After college, she worked different jobs in Florida. In 1994, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. There, she worked in a book warehouse. She also worked hard to get her first book published.

Her first book to be accepted was Because of Winn-Dixie. It became very popular and successful. After that, DiCamillo became a full-time writer. From 2014 to 2015, she was the American National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. She still lives in Minneapolis and continues to write new stories. Her latest book, The Hotel Balzaar, was published in October 2024.

Early Life and Education

Katrina Elizabeth DiCamillo was born on March 25, 1964. Her parents were Betty Lee DiCamillo, a teacher, and Adolph Louis DiCamillo, an orthodontist. Kate has a brother named Curt, who studies old buildings.

When Kate was a child, she was often sick. Her family moved to Clermont, Florida, when she was five. They hoped the warmer weather would help her feel better. Her father stayed in Philadelphia for his business. Kate loved to read when she was young. She often visited the local library. She says her mother helped her discover her love for books. Reading was also a comfort when she was sick. For a while, she wanted to be a veterinarian.

Kate went to public schools in Clermont. She later attended the University of Florida, Gainesville. She graduated in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in English.

Starting Her Writing Journey

After college, DiCamillo worked many different jobs in Florida. She worked at places like Walt Disney World and a greenhouse. She felt she was a good writer. She hoped her talent would be noticed quickly.

In 1994, DiCamillo moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. She followed a close friend there. After a few jobs, she started working at The Bookman. This was a warehouse that distributed books. She worked in the children's book section. At first, she wasn't happy about this. But while working there, she found a children's novel called The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963. She really admired that book.

She started writing regularly while working at the warehouse. She would wake up early on weekdays to write. She sent her stories to many publishers. She received 473 letters saying "no" to her books. But she kept trying. By the year 2000, she had only published a few short stories for adults.

Becoming a Published Author

Kate DiCamillo's first book to be accepted was Because of Winn-Dixie. It's a story about a girl who finds a stray dog. She takes the dog home. Kate got the idea for the book during a cold winter in Minnesota. She missed her home in Florida. She was also sad that her apartment didn't allow dogs.

She gave her story draft to a sales agent from Candlewick Press. This happened at a Christmas party. The story was almost lost. But it was found again. DiCamillo was offered a contract. After some changes, the book was published in 2000. It quickly became a big success. After this, DiCamillo left her job. She became a full-time writer. She has said that she makes herself write two pages every day. This usually takes her about 30 minutes to an hour.

Awards and Recognition

The success of Because of Winn-Dixie started DiCamillo's writing career. The book won the 2000 Josette Frank Award. It also received a Newbery Honor. Her second book, The Tiger Rising, came out the next year. Critics liked it too.

DiCamillo won the Newbery Medal in 2004 for her third book, The Tale of Despereaux. She wrote it because a friend's child asked for a story with "an unlikely hero." Kate was very surprised to win the Newbery. Her 2006 book, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, was about a china rabbit. She said that book was very easy to write.

The Mercy Watson series began in 2005. It features a pig as the main character. The series ended in 2009. DiCamillo's 2010 novel Bink & Gollie won the 2011 Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal. She wrote it with Alison McGhee. Her 2013 novel Flora & Ulysses was inspired by an injured squirrel she saw. It won the Newbery Medal in 2014. This made her one of only six writers to win two Newbery Medals.

In 2014, DiCamillo became the fourth National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. She held this role until December 2015. Her theme for this role was "Stories Connect Us."

Her 2016 book Raymie Nightingale was about three girls who become friends. She wrote two more books to complete the story: Louisiana's Way Home and Beverly, Right Here. In 2019, she received the Regina Medal for her writing. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz named March 29, 2020, Kate DiCamillo Day. Her novel The Beatryce Prophecy was published in 2021. Her book Ferris came out in March 2024.

Major Awards

Kate DiCamillo has won many important awards for her books.

Books Made into Movies and Plays

Many of Kate DiCamillo's books have been turned into films and stage shows.

• Because of Winn-Dixie became a movie in 2005.
• The Tale of Despereaux was made into an animated movie in 2008.
• In 2020, Netflix started making an animated film based on The Magician's Elephant.
• In 2021, Disney+ released the movie Flora & Ulysses.
• The film The Tiger Rising was released in 2022.

Kate DiCamillo helped write the screenplay for the Winn-Dixie movie. She also gave advice for The Tale of Despereaux. She has said she enjoyed both adaptations. She even has a small appearance in the Flora & Ulysses movie.

In 2017, the Minnesota Opera announced they would make The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane into an opera. The Magician's Elephant was adapted into a musical. It first opened in England in 2021.

Theatrical Feature Films

• Because of Winn-Dixie – February 18, 2005
• The Tale of Despereaux – December 19, 2008
• Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures – February 19, 2021
• The Tiger Rising – January 21, 2022
• The Magician – March 17, 2023

List of Books

DiCamillo in 2016

Early Reader Chapter Books

• Bink & Gollie series (with Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile)
  • Bink & Gollie (2010)
  • Bink & Gollie: Two for One (2012)
  • Bink & Gollie: Best Friends Forever (2013)

• Mercy Watson series (illustrated by Chris Van Dusen)
  • Mercy Watson to the Rescue (2005)
  • Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride (2006)
  • Mercy Watson Fights Crime (2006)
  • Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise (2007)
  • Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig (2008)
  • Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes (2009)
  • A Very Mercy Christmas (2022)

• Tales from Deckawoo Drive series (illustrated by Chris Van Dusen)
  • Leroy Ninker Saddles Up (2014)
  • Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon (2015)
  • Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln? (2016)
  • Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package (2017)
  • Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem (2020)
  • Franklin Endicott and the Third Key (2021)
  • Mercy Watson is Missing! (2023)

• Orris and Timble series (illustrated by Carmen Mok)
  • Orris and Timble: The Beginning (2024)
  • Orris and Timble: Lost and Found (2025)

See also

In Spanish: Kate DiCamillo para niños