Kate DiCamillo
| Kate DiCamillo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Katrina Elizabeth DiCamillo March 25, 1964 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Occupation | Children's author |
| Nationality | American |
|
www.katedicamillo.com |
|
Katrina Elizabeth "Kate" DiCamillo (b. March 25, 1964) is an American children's author. She is known for the Newbery Medal-winning book The Tale of Despereaux, the Newbery Honor book Because of Winn-Dixie, and the Mercy Watson series, plus numerous other award-winning and honored books.
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[edit] Early life
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, DiCamillo suffered from chronic pneumonia. At age 5, she moved to Clermont, Florida for her health (warmer climate) with her mother and older brother, Curt DiCamillo, who would become a noted architectural historian. Her mother was a teacher. Her father stayed behind to sell his orthodontic practice and never rejoined the family in Florida.[1][2] In 1987 DiCamillo received an English degree at the University of Florida and worked for various jobs after graduation. At age 30 she moved to Minneapolis and began working at a book warehouse. This job gave her inspiration to write for children and allowed her to meet a sales representative for Candlewick Press, resulting in a draft submission of what would become Because of Winn-Dixie.[3]
[edit] Career
Her 2003 novel The Tale of Despereaux was inspired by a friend's son, Luke Bailey, who asked her to write about an unlikely hero with "exceptionally large ears".[4]
In 2005, Because of Winn-Dixie was released as a film by 20th Century Fox. The Tale of Despereaux was released by Universal Pictures on December 19, 2008,[5] and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane was optioned by New Line Cinema and is in early pre-production. Her newest novel is The Magician's Elephant, and 20th Century Fox is adapting it into a film, hiring Martin Hynes (The Go-Getter) to write a script based on the book.[6]
[edit] Bibliography
[edit] Novels
- Because of Winn-Dixie (2000)
- The Tiger Rising (2001)
- The Tale of Despereaux (2003)
- The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (2006)
- The Magician's Elephant (2009)
[edit] Early chapter books
- Mercy Watson to the Rescue (2005)
- Mercy Watson Fights Crime (2006)
- Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride (2006)
- Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise (2007)
- Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig (2008)
- Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes (2009)
- Bink And Gollie (2010)
- The Third Floor Bedroom (2011)
[edit] Picture books
- Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken (2008)
- Great Joy (2007)
[edit] Awards
- 1998 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Writers
- 2000 Josette Frank Award for Because of Winn-Dixie'
- 2001 Newbery Honor Book for Because of Winn-Dixie
- 2001 National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist for The Tiger Rising
- 2004 Newbery Medal for The Tale of Despereaux
- 2006 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction for The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
- 2007 Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor for Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride
- 2011 Theodore Seuss Geisel Medal for Bink and Gollie
[edit] External links
- Kate DiCamillo's Home Page
- Kate DiCamillo at the Internet Movie Database
- Kate DiCamillo bio on Candlewick Press website
- Kate DiCamillo profile in Ninth Book of Junior Authors & Illustrators
- Hsus.org
[edit] 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
[edit] References
- ^ "Ninth Book of Junior Authors & Illustrators Sample Profile: Kate DeCamillo". Wilsonbiographies.com. http://wilsonbiographies.com/print/jrauthorbk_9th_dicamillo.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-10.
- ^ Margolies, Jane (21 February 2006). "Pleasantly Stunned, a Star Children's Author Hits the Tour Trail Again". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/21/books/21dica.html. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
- ^ 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.
- ^ The Tale of Desperaux official film site
- ^ http://moreresults.factiva.com/results/index/index.aspx?ref=HLYW000020060530e25o0002j
