Katrina Elizabeth "Kate" DiCamillo (b. March 25, 1964) is an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 children's author

Children's literature

Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...

. She is known for the Newbery Medal-winning

Newbery Medal

The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...

 book The Tale of Despereaux

The Tale of Despereaux

The Tale of Despereaux, also known as The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread is a 2004 Newbery Medal winning fantasy book written by Kate DiCamillo. The main plot follows the adventures of a mouse named Despereaux, who sets out on his quest...

, the Newbery Honor

Newbery Medal

The John Newbery Medal is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association . The award is given to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. The award has been given since 1922. ...

 book Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie is a children's novel by Kate DiCamillo published in 2000 and winner of a Newbery Honor distinction the following year. It also won the 2000 Josette Frank Award, and 2003 Mark Twain Award...

, and the Mercy Watson

Mercy Watson

Mercy Watson is a fictional pig created by children's author, Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. Books in the Mercy Watson series include:*Mercy Watson to the Rescue *Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride...

 series, plus numerous other award-winning and honored books.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, DiCamillo suffered from chronic pneumonia

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...

. At age 5, she moved to Clermont, Florida

Clermont, Florida

Clermont is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States, west of Orlando. The population was 13,100 in 2008. The city is essentially residential in character and its economy is centered in retail trade, lodging, and food and beverage establishments, which are tourism oriented. The historic...

 for her health (warmer climate) with her mother and older brother, Curt DiCamillo

Curt DiCamillo

Curt Jonathan Gough DiCamillo is a noted architectural historian and, since 2004, the Executive Director of the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA....

, who would become a noted architectural historian.