World Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Kate DiCamillo

ケイト・ディカミロ

Kate DiCamillo

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1964-03-25 （Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Clermont, Florida (childhood–) → Minneapolis, Minnesota (moved 1994; resides)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Children's author
Active Years
1994-
Influenced By
E. B. White, Louise Erdrich

Education

Rollins College
Country: United States
Attended briefly, left before degree
University of Central Florida
Country: United States
Attended briefly
University of Florida, Gainesville
English
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Year of Graduation: 1987
Country: United States
Earned a bachelor's degree in English (1987)

Awards

Josette Frank Award
2000
Work: Because of Winn‑Dixie
Organization: Bank Street Children's Book Committee
Result: Won
Newbery Honor
2000
Work: Because of Winn‑Dixie
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), ALA
Result: Honor
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award
2002
Work: Because of Winn‑Dixie
Organization: Vermont reading award committee
Result: Won
National Book Award for Young People's Literature (Finalist)
2001
Work: The Tiger Rising
Organization: National Book Foundation
Result: Finalist
Mark Twain Award
2003
Work: Because of Winn‑Dixie
Organization: Missouri/State children’s book award (regional)
Result: Won
Newbery Medal
2004
Work: The Tale of Despereaux
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), ALA
Result: Won
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award
2005
Work: The Tale of Despereaux
Organization: Vermont reading award committee
Result: Won
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award: Fiction and Poetry
2006
Work: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Organization: Boston Globe / The Horn Book Magazine
Result: Won
Parents' Choice Award
2006
Work: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Organization: Parents' Choice Foundation
Result: Won
Quill Awards (Finalist)
2006
Work: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Organization: Quills Literacy Foundation
Result: Finalist
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award (Honor)
2006
Work: Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), ALA
Result: Honor
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
2010
Work: Bink & Gollie
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), ALA
Result: Won
National Book Award for Young People's Literature (Longlist)
2013
Work: Flora & Ulysses
Organization: National Book Foundation
Result: Longlist
Newbery Medal
2014
Work: Flora & Ulysses
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), ALA
Result: Won
National Book Award for Young People's Literature (Finalist)
2016
Work: Raymie Nightingale
Organization: National Book Foundation
Result: Finalist
Regina Medal
2019
Organization: Catholic Library Association
Result: Won
National Ambassador for Young People's Literature
2014
Organization: Library of Congress / Center for the Book
Result: Appointed (2014–2015)

Awards & Nominations

O. Henry Award 1 appearances
  1. Edition 102 (2024) Winner
    Work: The Castle of Rose Tellin

    "The Castle of Rose Tellin" is a short story selected for the O. Henry Prize 2024 anthology. In a compact sequence of scenes, it captures shifts in relationships and emotional tension.

    A sharp short story included in the O. Henry Prize 2024 anthology.

    short storyrelationshipsemotional tension

Works

Major Works

Because of Winn‑Dixie

2000 Children's fiction (middle grade)

A story about a girl who finds a stray dog, Winn‑Dixie, and how the dog helps her form friendships and heal.

FriendshipOvercoming lonelinessFamily reconnection
Adaptations
  • [Film] Because of Winn‑Dixie (film) (2005)

The Tiger Rising

2001 Children's fiction (realistic)

A boy confronts a caged tiger and, through that relationship, processes grief and anger.

GriefManaging angerComing of age
Adaptations
  • [Film] The Tiger Rising (film) (2022)

The Tale of Despereaux

2003 Fantasy / Children's fiction

A fable-like tale about Despereaux, a brave little mouse, and his adventures and courage.

CourageForgivenessHope
Adaptations
  • [Animated film] The Tale of Despereaux (film) (2008)

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

2006 Children's fiction (allegory)

The porcelain rabbit Edward Tulane undergoes a transformative journey and learns about love and loss.

LossLoveRedemption
Adaptations
  • [Opera (adaptation planned)] The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Flora & Ulysses

2013 Children's fiction (humor / fantasy)

A humorous and thoughtful tale about a girl and a squirrel, Ulysses, who gains extraordinary abilities.

FriendshipHopeHumor
Adaptations
  • [Film (streaming)] Flora & Ulysses (film) (2021)

The Magician's Elephant

2009 Children's fiction (fantasy)

A boy embarks on a fantastical journey involving strange events and an elephant of magic.

FateHopeWonder
Adaptations
  • [Animated film] The Magician's Elephant (film) (2023)

Bibliography

  • 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)
  • Flora & Ulysses (2013)
  • Raymie Nightingale (2016)
  • Beverly, Right Here (2019)
  • The Beatryce Prophecy (2021)
  • Ferris (2024)
  • The Hotel Balzaar (2024)

Adaptations

  • Because of Winn‑Dixie (film, 2005)
  • The Tale of Despereaux (animated film, 2008)
  • Flora & Ulysses (film, 2021)
  • The Tiger Rising (film, 2022)
  • The Magician's Elephant (film, 2023)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Concise, resonant narrationNoted influences of Victorian/Edwardian children's literatureDirect style that respects child readers
Recurring Motifs
Sense of abandonment and lonelinessHomesickness and nostalgiaHuman relationships illuminated through animalsHope and redemption

Health

  • Chronic pneumonia (in childhood)
    幼少期
    Frequent hospitalizations led to long periods of reading, which influenced her later writing career

Legacy

Kate DiCamillo is one of contemporary children's literature's prominent authors, known for multiple Newbery wins and numerous adaptations. Her works, addressing universal themes of loneliness and loss while conveying respect and hope for young readers, are widely acclaimed.

Archives

  • Kate DiCamillo papers at University of Minnesota Libraries

In Popular Culture

  • Several works adapted to films and stage, influencing popular culture

Quotes

  • I think children's books should be a little bit sad.
    Source: Time (interview) (2018)

Trivia

  • One of the few authors to win the Newbery Medal twice.
  • Received 473 rejection letters before achieving major publishing success.
  • Because of Winn‑Dixie became widely known in part through school visits after publication.