Katrina Elizabeth "Kate" DiCamillo is an American author of children's fiction. Her 2003 novel The Tale of Despereaux won the annual Newbery Medal as the "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children", three years after Because of Winn-Dixie was a runner up . DiCamillo is also known for the Mercy Watson series of picture books, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. Born in Philadelphia, DiCamillo suffered from chronic pneumonia. At age five, she moved to Clermont, Florida for her health with her mother and her older brother Curt DiCamillo, who would become a noted... architectural historian. Her mother was a teacher. Her father remained in Pennsylvania to sell his orthodontic practice and never rejoined the family in Florida. DiCamillo earned her college degree in English at the University of Florida in 1987 and worked in Florida after graduation. At age 30 she moved to Minneapolis and began working at a book warehouse. That job inspired her to write for children and allowed her to meet a sales representative for Candlewick Press, resulting in submission of a draft that would become Because of Winn-Dixie.
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