Never in his life had Edward been cradled like a baby. Abilene had not done it. Nor had Nellie. And most certainly, Bull had not. It was a singular sensation to be held so gently and yet so fiercely, to be stared down at with so much love. Edward felt the whole of his china body flood with warmth. (page 128)

Her 2003 novel The Tale of Despereaux was inspired by a friend's son Luke Bailey who asked her to write about an unlikely hero with "exceptionally large ears". Adaptations
In 2005 Because of Winn-Dixie was released as a film by 20th Century Fox. Life
Born in Philadelphia DiCamillo suffered from chronic pneumonia.

DiCamillo is also known for the Mercy Watson series of picture books illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. Katrina Elizabeth "Kate" DiCamillo (born March 25 1964) is an American writer of children's fiction at all levels usually featuring animals.