TALE OF DESPEREAUX by Kate DiCamillo

BACKGROUND She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Raised in Clermont, Florida Currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota

CHILDHOOD When she was little she had a poodle named Nanette, that she loved to dress up. When her family moved to Florida, she was suffered from chronic pneumonia. While ill, she used books to see what the world was like since she was always trapped inside.

WRITING She got a job at a book warehouse and she was surrounded by tons of children's books it wasn’t long until she fell in love with them. Writing was always DiCamillo’s dream, but she didn’t begin her writing career until she was 29! Her goal is to write two (2) pages a day five (5) days a week. DiCamillo says that the most rewarding part about being an author is getting letters from kids. One day a kid’s letter said, “I didn’t like books but after Winn-Dixie, I love them!” She said, “That’s what makes it all worthwhile!”

HONORS Newbery Honor (Because of Winn-Dixie, 2001) Newbery Medal (The Tale of Despereaux, 2004) Newbery Medal (Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, 2014)

ADDITIONAL HONORS Boston Globe Horn Book Award (The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, 2006) Theodor Geisel Honor (Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride, 2007) Theodor Geisel Medal (Bink and Gollie, co-author Alison McGhee, 2011) National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, appointed by the Library of Congress (2014-2015)

PERSONAL She loves to eat but cannot cook! She is not married and has no children, but she has many friends and is an aunt to two nephews and one niece: Luke, Max, and Roxanne.

THE IDEA FOR: TALE OF DESPEREAUX DiCamillo’s best friend’s son asked her to write a story for him, and the conversation went something like this: “Well,” I said, “I don't normally write stories on command!” “But this is a story that I know you would want to tell,” he said. “It's about an unlikely hero. He has exceptionally large ears.” “What happens to this hero?” I asked. “I don't know,” he said. “That's why I want you to write it down, so you can find out.” So, that’s how the idea for The Tale of Desperaux came about…

INSPIRATIONAL WORDS: “If you want to be a writer, write a little bit every day. Pay attention to the world around you. Stories are hiding, waiting everywhere. You just have to open your eyes and your heart.” - Kate DiCamillo

LET’S READ!