Kate DiCamillo

Spotlight on Children's Authors

by Sue Corbett

This biography presents the life details of children's book author Kate DiCamillo, while exploring her creative process as a writer and the cultural impact of her work. This book shares what books Kate likes to read, as well as excerpts from her own works. Interviews include family and friends.

48 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2012

About the author

Sue Corbett is the author of 12 Again, Winner of the California Young Reader Medal, and Free Baseball, a finalist for 10 state readers' choice awards. Her latest novel is The Last Newspaper Boy in America and her first picture book, The 12 Days of Christmas in Virginia, have just been released this fall. "

Reviews

[Lisa Engebretson]

This series of books called Spotlight on Children's Authors is a fantastic way for children to explore the lives of their favorite authors. The books delve into the history of the author,the story behind what made them what they are today, and what makes them tick. MN students will especially like this book on Kate DiCamillo who is a Floridian transplanted to Minnesota during one of the coldest and snowiest winters in Minnesota history. Kate's home sick feeling and isolation from icy winter day and piles of snow led her to create her beloved character Opal and her dog Winn-Dixie. The book talks about Kate's life growing up in Florida, her move to Minnesota to be a roommate to her friend, her job at The Bookman, her jump into writing, her rave review of the finally published Because of Winn-Dixie, and the idea that fairy tales do come true.
This book allows readers to understand the ideas behind the person and how a person can dare to dream and reach their goal through perseverance and hard work while braving the harsh Minnesota winters.

The organization in the book keeps the reader engaged through following the life story of the author, reading the timeline of important events in the author's life, questions answered by the author about her favorite books and ideas about her stories, and exciting ideas about new books to come. The books says that life makes more sense to Kate when she writes about it and her voice within the book can be heard loud and clear.
I think this book is a great example for students for a writers workshop to see how best books are not created on the first time. Author's use editing and re-writes to create what becomes their final product. Students can learn how authors can achieve recognition and success and see how hard work does pay off.