Kate DiCamillo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kate DiCamillo

Born March 25, 1964 (1964-03-25) (age 44)
Philadelphia, PA
Occupation Children's author
Nationality American
Writing period 2000-present
Genres animal-fiction
Official website

Katrina Elizabeth DiCamillo (born March 25, 1964) is an American children's author. She is known for her award-winning children's books including Because of Winn-Dixie, adapted into film in 2005, The Tale of Despereaux, and the Mercy Watson series. She has no children.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, DiCamillo suffered from chronic pneumonia. At age 5, she moved from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Clermont, Florida for her health with her mother and older brother, Curt DiCamillo. Her mother was a teacher. Her father stayed behind to sell his orthodontic practice and never rejoined the family in Florida. Her brother, Curt, is an architectural historian and lives in Boston. Kate currently lives in Minneapolis.

DiCamillo majored in English at the University of Florida and worked various jobs after graduation until moving to Minneapolis at age 30. She began writing there around working in a book warehouse, where she met a sales representative for Candlewick Press and submitted a draft of what would become Because of Winn-Dixie.[1]

[edit] Career

Her 2003 novel The Tale of Despereaux was inspired by a friend's son who asked her to write a story about an unlikely hero with "exceptionally large ears".[2]

In 2005, Because of Winn-Dixie was released as a film by 20th Century Fox.

Two books are slated for 2007 release: Mercy Watson, Princess in Disguise and another collaboration with illustrator Bagram Ibatoulline, Great Joy.

[edit] Published Works

[edit] Novels

[edit] Early Chapter Books

[[Mercy Watson is a frog]]

[edit] Picture Books

  • Great Joy (2007) - Illustrator Bagram Ibatoulline.

[edit] Awards

[edit] References

  1. ^ Margolies, Jane (2006-02-21). "Pleasantly Stunned, a Star Children's Author Hits the Tour Trail Again". The New York Times.
  2. ^ Blais, Jacqueline (2004-01-14). "Author's Newbery is no small thrill". USA TODAY.
  3. ^ American Library Association. 2001 Newbery Medal and Honor Books.
  4. ^ American Library Association. Laura McGee Kvasnosky wins Geisel Award for “Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways”. Press release. January 22, 2007.

[edit] External links

[edit] Interviews


Persondata
NAME DiCamillo, Kate
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION American children's author.
DATE OF BIRTH March 25, 1964
PLACE OF BIRTH Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
Languages