Kate DiCamillo
Kristine Manzano | |
|---|---|
| Publicity photo of Kate DiCamillo. Publicity photo of Kate DiCamillo. | |
| Born | March 25, 1964 Philadelphia, PA |
| Occupation | Children's author |
| Nationality | American |
| Period | 2000-present |
| Genre | animal-fiction |
| Website | |
| http://www.katedicamillo.com/ | |
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.
Biography
Early life
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, DiCamillo suffered from chronic pneumonia. At age 5, she moved to Clermont, Florida for her health with her mother and older brother, Curt. Her father stayed behind to sell his orthodontic practice and never rejoined the family in Florida.
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]
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.
Works
Published works
- Because of Winn-Dixie (2000)
- The Tiger Rising (2001)
- The Tale of Despereaux (2003)
- Mercy Watson to the Rescue (2005)
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (2006)
- Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride (2006)
- Mercy Watson Fights Crime (2006)
Awards
- 1998 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Writers
- 2000 Josette Frank Award, Because of Winn-Dixie
- 2001 Newbery Honor, Because of Winn-Dixie[3]
- 2001 National Book Award finalist, youth category, The Tiger Rising
- 2004 Newbery Medal, The Tale of Despereaux
- 2006 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
- 2007 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor, Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride[4]
References
- ^ Margolies, Jane (2006-02-21). "Pleasantly Stunned, a Star Children's Author Hits the Tour Trail Again". The New York Times.
- ^ Blais, Jacqueline (2004-01-14). "Author's Newbery is no small thrill". USA TODAY.
- ^ American Library Association. 2001 Newbery Medal and Honor Books.
- ^ American Library Association. Laura McGee Kvasnosky wins Geisel Award for “Zelda and Ivy: The Runaways”. Press release. January 22, 2007.
External links
- Kate DiCamillo's Home Page
- Please use a more specific IMDb template. See the documentation for available templates.
- Kate DiCamillo bio on Candlewick Press website
- Kate DiCamillo profile in Ninth Book of Junior Authors & Illustrators
Interviews
- 2002 National Book Festival webcast, 12 October 2002
- Scholastic interviews: March 2003, 27 January 2005 and 28 January 2005
- BBC Q&A with author Kate DiCamillo, 14 June 2004
- 2004 National Book Festival webcast, 9 October 2004
- Under Cover video interview with Kate DiCamillo, School Library Journal, 3 March 2006