Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
MPR News Presents
MPR News Staff

Author Kate DiCamillo on the joy and comfort in reading — and writing — books

A woman wearing a scarf sitting in a staircase.
The film based on Kate DiCamillo's book "Flora and Ulysses" starts streaming on Disney Plus on Friday.
Catherine Smith | Courtesy of Candlewick Press file

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Award-winning author Kate DiCamillo speaks about the power of telling stories. During this pandemic year, and dark winter, she says “stories are light in a dark world.”

The Newbery Award-winning Minnesota writer told a University of Minnesota audience — in a virtual event in December — that she writes alone, “but the story goes out into the world … and it has my heart in it. … There’s comfort in telling a story.”

When we read aloud, DiCamillo says, we are connecting to each other, and we “see each other as fully human.”

“Reading aloud binds us together in unexpected ways, she adds. This pandemic year is a “good time to give reading a chance.”

John Schumacher of Rutgers University, the ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic, hosted the conversation with DiCamillo at a University of Minnesota Humphrey School virtual event on Dec. 18. DiCamillo has served as the national ambassador of Young People’s Literature. She was awarded three John Newbery Medals, and was twice nominated for the National Book Award. A film based on her book “Flora and Ulysses” begins streaming on Disney Plus on Friday, Feb. 19.

She is the author of many books, including:

  • “Because of Winn-Dixie”

  • “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane”

  • “The Tale of Despereaux”

  • “Flora and Ulysses”

  • the Mercy Watson series of books.

DiCamillo and Schumacher also recommended several books by other authors:

  • “Look Both Ways” by Jason Reynolds

  • ”Ways to Make Sunshine” by Renee Watson

  • ”The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963” by Christopher Paul Curtis

  • ”Our Friend Hedgehog” by Lauren Castillo

  • ”All Because You Matter” by Tami Charles; illustrated by Bryan Collier

  • ”Twins” by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright

  • ”Every Little Letter: by Deborah Underwood; illustrated by Joy Hwang Ruiz

  • ”Billy Miller Makes a Wish” by Kevin Henkes

Use the audio player above to listen to the program.