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Authors & Illustrators

At Home With Best-Selling Author Kate DiCamillo

Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano

Photography by Photographed by Dina Kantor

It’s not everyday that you get to snoop around the space where not one—but several—best-selling books have been written. But thankfully, beloved kid-lit author Kate DiCamillo said “yes” to our ask, inviting us into her Minnesota home and the office where she writes every morning—two pages, sometimes three, and onward.

After her first book, Because of Winn-Dixie (2000), became a smash hit, she’s gone on to write dozens more successful titles (including The Tale of Despereaux, Flora & Ulysses, The Beatryce Prophecy, and the Mercy Watson series) that have captured the hearts of children and adults alike. Still, she stays humble.

“I remember saying to my best friend early on: ‘This is all so overwhelming, how do I deal with people expecting things of me?’ And she said: ‘It’s not about you, pumpkin.’ I keep those words in mind when I write,” says Kate. “My job is to get out of my own way and tell the story. The rest of it—what happens when the story goes out into the world—I can’t control that.”

Meet Kate DiCamillo and visit her book-filled office in our slideshow!

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  1. Ken Rowland says...

    Kate,
    Been watching your career and you have done an impressive job. Don’t know if you remember me or not, but I was friends with Mike Griffis. We use to go to Leonardos and hang out here and there. Last time I saw you was at Mike’s wedding.

    I’m married now for 29 years and put a son and daughter through UF, Go Gators.

    Anyway, been wanting to say hi for a while, but didn’t know how. Saw this form so I thought it was a good place to try.

    Hope to hear from you.

    Ken

  2. Norma Henderson says...

    Ms DiCamillo,

    I am doing book studies for third through fifth grade, using your Edward Tulane. Edward is my favorite. I was wondering if you had any study guides to go along with the books or ideas on questions to ask. Thank you for your time. Norma

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