Happy Birthday, National Ambassador Kate DiCamillo!
Kate was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Florida. Struggling with frequent illness as a young girl, she immersed herself in books. Her mother and teachers encouraged her early love of literature. Kate finally took up the pen at 30, after working in a bookstore in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her first published novel, Because of Winn-Dixie was a surprise bestseller and earned her a Newbery Honor. A few years later, Kate received the Newbery Medal for The Tale of Despereaux.
Kate currently lives in Minneapolis and is touring the country as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, sharing her love of storytelling with kids of all ages: “When we read together, we connect. Together, we see the world. Together, we see one another.”
When young fans and aspiring writers ask for advice, Kate always encourages them to set goals and do the work. She lives by her words, committing to write two pages a day, five days a week. For more information on her upcoming books and tours, visit katedicamillo.com.
