Kate DiCamillo
Kate DiCamillo
Katrina Elizabeth "Kate" DiCamillo is an American writer of children's fiction for all reading levels, usually featuring animals. She is one of six people to win two Newbery Medals, recognizing her novels The Tale of Despereauxand Flora and Ulysses. Her best-known books for young children are Mercy Watson series illustrated by Chris Van Dusen...
ProfessionChildren's Author
Date of Birth25 March 1964
CityPhiladelphia, PA
heart joy tasks
It is our duty and our joy to communicate our hearts to each other. Words assist us in this task.
kings law may
When you are a king, you may make as many ridiculous laws as you like. That is what being a king is all about.
princess eye night
During the night, while Bull and Lucy slept, Edward, with ever-open eyes, stared up at the constellations. He said their names, and then he said the names of the people who loved him. He started with Abilene, and then went on to Nellie and Lawrence and from there to Bull and Lucy, and then he ended again with Abilene: Abilene, Nellie, Lawrence, Bull, Lucy, Abilene. See? Edward told Pellegrina. I am not like the princess. I know about love.
bravery defiance reader
Despereaux marveled at his own bravery. He admired his own defiance. And then, reader, he fainted.
forever truth-is
That is surely the truth, at least for now. But perhaps you have not noticed: the truth is forever changing.
beautiful falling-in-love powerful
Reader, you may ask this queston. In fact, you must ask this question. Is it ridiculous for a very small, sickly, big-eared mouse fall in love with a beautiful princess named Pea? The answer is.. Yes. Of course it's ridiculous. Love is ridiculous. But love is also wonderful. And powerful.
kings light soul
The sound of the king's music made Despereaux's soul grow large and light inside of him.
astute observation
Allow me to congratulate you on your very astute powers of observation.
powerful princess love-is
Love is ridiculous. But love is also wonderful. And powerful. And Despereaux's love for the Princess Pea would prove, in time, to be all of these things: powerful, wonderful, and ridiculous.
magic impossible ends
Magic is always impossible.... It begins with the impossible and ends with the impossible and is impossible in between. That is why it's magic.
world dare ifs
We must ask ourselves these questions as often as we dare. How will the world change if we do not question it?
princess knights shining
I will be brave, thought Despereaux. I will try to be brave like a knight in shining armour. I will be brave for the Princess Pea.
heart fighting light
Pea was aware suddenly of how fragile her heart was, how much darkness was inside it, fighting, always, with the light. She did not like the rat. She would neverlike the rat, but she knew what she must do to save her own heart.
beautiful mother disappointment
At the thought of being eaten by rats, Despereaux forgot about being brave. He forgot about not being a disappointment. He felt himself heading into another faint. But his mother, who had an excellent sense of dramatic timing, beat him to it; she executed a beautiful, flawless swoon, landing right at Despereaux's feet.