1. Early life and education
Katrina Elizabeth DiCamillo was born on March 25, 1964, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her mother, Betty Lee DiCamillo (née Gouff), was a teacher, and her father, Adolph Louis DiCamillo, was an orthodontist. She is the sister of Curt DiCamillo, an architectural historian. As a child, DiCamillo suffered from chronic pneumonia and was frequently hospitalized. When she was five, her family relocated to the warmer climate of Clermont, Florida, hoping it would improve her health. Her father, however, remained in Philadelphia with his business, visiting occasionally. He had intended to join the family after selling his practice, but this never materialized.
DiCamillo was an avid reader in her childhood, often visiting the local library. She credited her mother with fostering her love for books. Reading also became a refuge for her when she was particularly ill with pneumonia. Until around the age of ten, she aspired to be a veterinarian.
She received her early education in public schools in Clermont, starting with Clermont Elementary. She later attended Rollins College before leaving to work briefly at Walt Disney World. Subsequently, she attended the University of Central Florida for a short period. Ultimately, she enrolled at the University of Florida, Gainesville, where she earned a bachelor's degree in English in 1987.
2. Early career
After graduating from college, DiCamillo held various entry-level jobs in Clermont. These included positions at Circus World, Walt Disney World, a campground, and a greenhouse. She later reflected on this period, admitting that she believed she was a talented writer and expected quick recognition, leading her to "sit around for the next seven or eight years."
In 1994, DiCamillo moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to follow a close friend. After a series of jobs, she was hired at The Bookman, a book warehouse and distributor, as a picker. She eventually worked in the children's book section, a placement she initially found disappointing. However, while working there, DiCamillo discovered The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963, a children's novel that she greatly admired.
While working at the warehouse, she began to write regularly, dedicating time to her craft before her shifts on weekdays. After four years in Minnesota, DiCamillo met author Louise Erdrich, who encouraged her writing pursuits. She submitted her manuscripts to several publishers, famously receiving 473 rejection letters. Author Jane Resh Thomas also provided encouragement. Despite her persistent efforts, by the turn of the 21st century, DiCamillo had only managed to publish a few short stories aimed at adult audiences.
3. Writing career
Kate DiCamillo's professional authorial journey began with significant milestones and has seen the progression of numerous important works.
3.1. Breakthrough and professionalization
DiCamillo's first book to be accepted for publication was Because of Winn-Dixie, a story about a girl who adopts a stray dog. The concept for the book emerged during the winter of her first year living in Minnesota, a period when she felt homesick for Florida and was frustrated by her apartment's no-dog policy. A McKnight Fellowship grant in 1998 enabled her to dedicate more time to writing.
She gave her draft of Because of Winn-Dixie to a sales agent from Candlewick Press at a Christmas party hosted by The Bookman. The manuscript was initially overlooked, as it was given to an editor who went on maternity leave and subsequently lost in a pile of other works. It was only rediscovered when the editor's office was being cleaned out. DiCamillo was eventually offered a contract. After a rewrite, the book was published in 2000. Flo Davis, the wife of a founder of the Winn-Dixie supermarket chain, sponsored DiCamillo to visit various schools in Florida, helping to expand the book's reach. Because of Winn-Dixie quickly achieved both commercial and critical success. Following this breakthrough, DiCamillo left her job at the warehouse to become a full-time author.
In 2004, she stated that she disciplined herself to write two pages every day, a task that typically took her between 30 minutes to an hour. By 2017, she estimated that she spent 12 to 15 hours a week writing and 35 to 40 hours reading, primarily adult fiction. She also frequently traveled to speak about her writing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, DiCamillo committed to writing every morning for 100 consecutive days.
3.2. Major works and series
DiCamillo has published over 25 books as of 2018, with almost 37 million copies in print by 2021. In 2019, Mpls St Paul Magazine recognized her as "Minnesota's most successful writer."
Her second novel, The Tiger Rising, was published in 2001 and received critical acclaim, with critics noting its stylistic differences from Because of Winn-Dixie. DiCamillo won the Newbery Medal in 2004 for her third book, The Tale of Despereaux. She wrote this novel at the request of a friend's child who wanted a story about "an unlikely hero," and DiCamillo expressed shock upon receiving the Newbery news. Her 2006 novel, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, which centers on a china rabbit, was described by the author as particularly easy to write. This work explores themes of self-reflection through the journey of a rabbit doll who experiences abandonment and reunion, gaining a deeper understanding of love.
The Mercy Watson series, which features a pig as its main character, commenced with Mercy Watson to the Rescue in 2005 and concluded with Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes in 2009. The series continued with A Very Mercy Christmas in 2022. DiCamillo's 2010 novel Bink & Gollie, co-written with Alison McGhee and illustrated by Tony Fucile, was honored with the 2011 Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal. Her 2013 novel, Flora & Ulysses, was partly inspired by an injured squirrel she observed. This book earned her a second Newbery Medal in 2014, making her one of a select group of authors to win the prestigious award twice since its inception in 1920.
In 2016, DiCamillo published Raymie Nightingale, a novel about three young girls who form a friendship while competing in a contest. Feeling the story was incomplete, she wrote a sequel, Louisiana's Way Home, two years later. In 2019, she completed the trilogy with Beverly, Right Here, which was praised by author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley in The New York Times as potentially her "finest [book] yet." Also in 2019, her picture book La La La was published, uniquely utilizing only the word "la" throughout.
On March 29, 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz officially declared it Kate DiCamillo Day in recognition of her contributions. Her novel The Beatryce Prophecy, which she started in 2009, was rediscovered in 2018 and published in 2021. Her novel The Puppets of Spelhorst was published in October 2023. Her next novel, Ferris, was released on March 5, 2024, followed by The Hotel Balzaar on October 1, 2024.
3.3. National Ambassador for Young People's Literature
In 2014, Kate DiCamillo was appointed the fourth National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, a role she held from January 2014 to December 2015. During her tenure, she adopted the theme "Stories Connect Us," emphasizing the power of narrative to foster understanding and connection among young readers. Additionally, she served as the summer reading champion for the Collaborative Summer Library Program's campaign in the summers of 2015 and 2016, further promoting literacy and reading engagement.
3.4. Awards and honors
Kate DiCamillo has received numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout her writing career:
| Award | Year | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Josette Frank Award | 2000 | Because of Winn-Dixie | Winner |
| Newbery Medal | 2000 | Because of Winn-Dixie | Honor |
| Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award | 2002 | Because of Winn-Dixie | Winner |
| National Book Award for Young People's Literature | 2001 | The Tiger Rising | Finalist |
| Mark Twain Award | 2003 | Because of Winn-Dixie | Winner |
| Newbery Medal | 2004 | The Tale of Despereaux | Winner |
| Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award | 2005 | The Tale of Despereaux | Winner |
| Boston Globe-Horn Book Award: Fiction and Poetry | 2006 | The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane | Winner |
| Parents' Choice Award | 2006 | The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane | Winner |
| Quill Awards | 2006 | The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane | Finalist |
| Geisel Award | 2007 | Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride | Honor |
| Geisel Award | 2011 | Bink & Gollie | Winner |
| National Book Award for Young People's Literature | 2013 | Flora & Ulysses | Longlist |
| Newbery Medal | 2014 | Flora & Ulysses | Winner |
| National Book Award for Young People's Literature | 2016 | Raymie Nightingale | Finalist |
| Regina Medal | 2019 | — | Winner |
4. Themes and style
DiCamillo's literary style often draws comparisons to children's literature from the Victorian era or Edwardian era. Her works frequently explore themes of homesickness and hope. Many of her books feature solitary protagonists who must navigate challenges independently, often enduring suffering and loneliness. A recurring motif is the absence or loss of parents, leading author Julie Schumacher to observe that "a sense of abandonment [...] pervades everything she has written." Other prominent themes in DiCamillo's novels include love, salvation, emotional transformation, and "senseless cruelty," according to The New York Times. The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry notes that her young protagonists typically begin feeling "puzzled, wanting, and waiting" but ultimately learn to manage situations on their own.
In a 2023 profile in The New Yorker by Casey Cep, DiCamillo first shared details of the physical and emotional abuse her father inflicted on the family before their move to Florida, where he never joined them. In the article, a friend who has known her since childhood suggests that DiCamillo's cumulative writing has been as therapeutic for her as her many years in counseling: "More and more of her shows up in what she writes, and I think it's the writing that saved her." This personal history is seen as influencing her narrative approach, which often delves into complex emotions and the resilience of characters.
Despite her diverse range of genres, DiCamillo has commented that her books are "the same story, over and over in many ways," consistently revisiting similar themes. She also states that she does not consciously "develop a character" but rather discovers them and "follow[s] their story." Her fiction is influenced by her own upbringing; for instance, many of her realistic fiction novels are set in north and central Florida and incorporate dialogue common to the Southern United States. DiCamillo strives to leave room for readers to read between the lines, aiming to emulate E. B. White's style of conveying deep emotion through simple language. Her novels often feature "distinct scenes that are lightly connected."
While The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane seemingly "wrote itself," many of her other works undergo eight to nine drafts. She typically focuses on one book at a time, though in 2015, she mentioned juggling various projects, alternating between a more serious draft and a shorter, less serious one. When writing for children, she emphasizes being direct and avoiding condescension. In a 2018 Time magazine article, DiCamillo asserted that children's books should be "a little bit sad." She also noted that "the kid in me has never gone away" and that her writing for children differs from adult fiction primarily in its greater sense of hope. It is ironic that many of her books feature animals as main characters, as she avoided such books in her own childhood.
In 2020, author Ann Patchett published an essay in The New York Times praising DiCamillo's work, recommending it to adult readers and describing her entire body of work as "sui generis, each one extraordinary."
5. Adaptations
Kate DiCamillo's books have been adapted into various other media, including films, stage plays, and musicals.
5.1. Film adaptations
Several of DiCamillo's books have been adapted into films:
- Because of Winn-Dixie was released on February 18, 2005. DiCamillo co-wrote the screenplay for this adaptation.
- The Tale of Despereaux was adapted into an animated film released on December 19, 2008. DiCamillo provided some early consulting for this production.
- Flora & Ulysses was released as a streaming film on Disney+ on February 19, 2021. DiCamillo made a cameo appearance in this film.
- The Tiger Rising was released on January 21, 2022.
- The Magician's Elephant was released on March 17, 2023. Netflix began production on this animated film in 2020.
DiCamillo has stated that she enjoyed both the film adaptations of Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux.
5.2. Stage adaptations
DiCamillo's works have also been adapted for the stage:
- In 2017, the Minnesota Opera announced plans to adapt The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane into an opera. However, its scheduled opening was canceled and had not been rescheduled as of September 2021.
- The Magician's Elephant was adapted into a musical by the Royal Shakespeare Company. It premiered in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2021, with a scheduled reopening on October 14.
6. Personal life
Kate DiCamillo resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is single and does not have children. She shares her home with a dog named Shi, a mix of Terrier and Poodle. Her personal experiences, including her childhood adversities, are acknowledged as influencing her writing and creative process.
7. Bibliography
Kate DiCamillo has authored a comprehensive collection of literary works across various genres.
7.1. Novels
- Because of Winn-Dixie (2000)
- The Tiger Rising (2001)
- The Tale of Despereaux (2003), illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (2006), illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
- The Magician's Elephant (2009), illustrated by Yoko Tanaka
- Flora & Ulysses (2013), illustrated by K. G. Campbell
- Raymie Nightingale (2016)
- Louisiana's Way Home (2018)
- Beverly, Right Here (2019)
- The Beatryce Prophecy (2021), illustrated by Sophie Blackall
- The Puppets of Spelhorst (2023), illustrated by Julie Morstad
- Ferris (2024)
- The Hotel Balzaar (2024), illustrated by Julia Sarda
7.2. Early reader chapter books
- Bink & Gollie series, text by DiCamillo and Alison McGhee, illustrated by Tony Fucile
- Bink & Gollie (2010)
- Bink & Gollie: Two for One (2012)
- Bink & Gollie: Best Friends Forever (2013)
- Mercy Watson series, text by DiCamillo, 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, text by DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
- Leroy Ninker Saddles Up: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume One (2014)
- Francine Poulet Meets the Ghost Raccoon: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume Two (2015)
- Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln?: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume Three (2016)
- Eugenia Lincoln and the Unexpected Package: Tales from Deckawoo Drive, Volume Four (2017)
- Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem, Volume Five (2020)
- Franklin Endicott and the Third Key, Volume Six (2021)
- Mercy Watson is Missing!, Volume Seven (2023)
- Orris and Timble series, text by DiCamillo, illustrated by Carmen Mok
- Orris and Timble: The Beginning (2024)
- Orris and Timble: Lost and Found (2025)
7.3. Picture books
- Great Joy (2007), illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
- Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken (2008), illustrated by Harry Bliss
- A Piglet Named Mercy (2019), illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
7.4. Short stories
- "Your Question for Author Here", text by DiCamillo and Jon Scieszka, in Guys Read: Funny Business (2010)
- "The Third Floor Bedroom", in Chris Van Allsburg, et al., The Chronicles of Harris Burdick: Fourteen Amazing Authors Tell the Tales (2011)
- "The Castle of Rose Tellin", in The Best Short Stories 2024: The O. Henry Prize Winners (2024)
8. See also
- List of Newbery Medal winners
- Children's literature
- American literature