| Kate DiCamillo | |
|---|---|
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| Born | March 25, 1964 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Occupation | Children's author |
| Nationality | American |
| Official website | |
Kate (Katrina Elizabeth) DiCamillo (born 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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Biography
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania of Italian descent,[1] 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.[2][3]
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.[4]
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".[5]
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,[6] 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.[7]
She is also an aunt of three children has and a dog named Henry.
Bibliography
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)
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)
Picture books
- Louise, the Adventures of a Chicken (2008)
- Great Joy (2007)
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 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor for Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride
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
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
References
- ^ http://www.osia.org/public/newsroom/spring_2004.asp
- ^ "Ninth Book of Junior Authors & Illustrators Sample Profile: Kate DeCamillo". Wilsonbiographies.com. http://wilsonbiographies.com/print/jrauthorbk_9th_dicamillo.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-10.
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/21/books/21dica.html
- ^ 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
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