We are thrilled to present our special guest in First Book’s podcast series this week, Kate DiCamillo — award-winning author of many well-loved children’s titles, including: the Mercy Watson series, the Newbery Honor-winning Because of Winn Dixie and the Newbery Award-winning The Tale of Despereaux. Most recently, Kate was honored with the Horn Book and the Chicago Tribune Prize for Young Adult Fiction.
On her call with First Book President Kyle Zimmer, Kate discussed her memories of reading as a child, children’s book authors that have influenced her work and what we can expect from her next. Kate also shared ideas on how parents can foster a love of reading for their own children.
We offer our sincere thanks to Kate for joining us on the call. Please visit KateDiCamillo.com to learn more about her many wonderful books and be sure to subscribe to our podcast feed to be automatically updated when we release future podcasts.
Please check back every day this week for new podcasts in honor of Children’s Book Week.
Interview Length: 15:10
15 responses so far ↓
1 pooper // Dec 26, 2006 at 5:28 pm
kate dicamillo should really have a monkey assistant
2 Kate // Dec 26, 2006 at 5:30 pm
It is cool to have the same last name as Kate Dicamillo, my favorite author. Kate, you have inspired me to take up writing. Thank you!
3 Kate // Dec 26, 2006 at 5:31 pm
It is cool to have the same last name as Kate Dicamilo, my favorite author. Kate, you have inspired me to take up writing. Thank you!
4 Tanner // Jan 9, 2007 at 2:53 pm
Hi,
Im a student of a middle school, and I have an assignment to contact you the writer of this very awsome book (tale of despereaux). I Realy like how you get it so the reader realy loves Despereaux. Then you through him in to the dungeon where there can be a rat lurking around the corner ready to eat Despereaux for dinner (or lunch… ect) that is one of my favorite books ive ever read!!! How long did it take to write that book? Also how many times did u have to rewrite it? Thank You. :) P.S. is there a fan e-mail adress I can send to you?
5 Crystal // Jan 9, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Ms. Dicamilo you are a brilliant writer I am sure you have heard this many times. I didn’t realize how difficult it is to reach a writer. Hope you have an oppurtunity to read this.
This pasted year my daughter came to me requesting a specific author’s books. I was surprised that a 9 year old would request books by author. I purchase her books regularly she has her own library I enjoy encouraging he need to read. =) She offers to let her friends borrow a book that moves her soul. Sadly many of them do not take her up on this offer but I was curious to know why she was requesting to read your books. I have read them all and I completely know by every tear jerking, hope lifting, faith filled word you wrote. Simply inspiring! Bravo!
Shortly before Christmas out family pet Max who is a cat. He was and outside cat and every evening he would return home to be let inside to eat and cozy up. Two evenings before Thanksgiving he did not show and the following evening still no Max. We became worried and my daughter cried and I assured him he would return. The next Morning we heard a meowing at the back door and it was Max. We had plenty of good reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving day, he returned home but his tail was completely limp and his nails were shredded as if he clawed to get away from whatever trapped him. Max was taken to the emergency animal hosptial and they said they will have to remove his tail and he may never gain contence. We felt he fought his way home to his family that he didn’t give up and we couldn’t give up on him. It cost us about $1,000 which was unexpected but my husband I knew we would manage. Our daughter came to us later that evening because she heard us and said to us I don’t want anything for Christmas because I know it cost alot of money to have Max better. She did have a list previous to Max’s accident and her number one request was your book The Maraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and it most certianly was. My favorite of all your books even though they are all equally wonderful. I just want to say thank you for your stories and I hope you continue writing more soul touching stories.
Sincerely,
Crystal
6 Nita // Apr 13, 2007 at 10:33 am
More Mercy books please. My children love them! The stories are precious and illustrations are awesome. My son’s new favorite breakfast is “Hot buttered toast with a great deal of butter on it.” Thanks for writing such a great line of books.
7 priscilla // Jan 16, 2008 at 12:07 am
Dear,Kate Dicamillo (Ms. Dicamilo)
Hi!!!, My name is priscilla and I am writing a report on you. Out of 300 authors I had to chose you. I am 8th grade student who has grown up reading your books. i chose youexspecially because of the book,The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. That book really made me cry.
Well, i had a couple of questions that I need to ask you because i am very curious.
1.)Are You recently workinging on a book?
2.)How long does it take to write a full novel of your book?
3.)How can I contact you?
4.)On the book “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” how many times did you need to rewrite it?
5.) What caused you to write the book?
As a curious 8th grader i am lokking forward in getting an answer please!!!!
love & Peace,
Priscilla a curious 8th grader
8 Natalie // Jan 29, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Dear Ms. DiCamillo,
I am a big fan and am in fifth grade. I am doing a powerpoint presentation for school and I need to make a timeline of your life. I couldn’t find much information on the internet, in books, or anywhere else and I was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me!
1. What high school did you go to and what year did you graduate?
2. Was there any important year that you will always remember?
3. Will you please answer these questions before Febuary 15th? If not, please answer them no matter what.
Thankyou very much!
9 Abigail Dawn // Feb 23, 2009 at 11:14 pm
I just finished Edward Tulane’s amazing tale; I’m sixteen years old and I laughed, cried, laughed some more and lost a night of sleep. ~You are fantastic.
10 sydney // Mar 4, 2009 at 2:27 pm
i love your books and you ! my fav. one is the tale of despereaux! and because of winn-dixie . i don’t know how you come up with these great ideas of these storys but they are great! (i hope to see you one day)!!!!lol and by the way i am 13 years old just in case you wanted to know lol!
11 Charie // Apr 2, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I love your books!!! You are my fav! I have read three of your books. I am looking forword to your next book!
From #1 fan
Charlie :)
12 Brittany // Apr 18, 2009 at 2:26 pm
howmany books have you wrote? did you write any series of books and what are they?what is your first book,most recent,and curently writting?one more thing do you have a pen name? sorry for all the questions i have an assiment on you and cant find these facts love your books you are my favorite author. thanks brittany!!!!
13 lexi chambers // Apr 20, 2009 at 2:10 pm
hi i have an author project i was wondering if you could e-mail me your e-mail so i could ask you a couple of questions thank you
p.s. i love your book WinnDixxie i love the characters
14 lexi chambers // Apr 21, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Hi Kate DiCamillo i love your books they are filled with fun and excitement and adventures in your book Winn Dixxie you have a girl who is curoius about things and winn dixxie that is how i am i hope you respond thank you
15 lexi chambers // Apr 21, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Hi Kate DiCamillo i love your books they are filled with fun and excitement and adventures in your book Winn Dixxie you have a girl who is curoius about things and winn dixxie that is how i am i hope you respond thank you
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