Kate DiCamillo has captured the hearts of young readers and their parents for over two decades. From her debut novel Because of Winn-Dixie, to her recent works like The Hotel Balzaar, DiCamillo combines compelling characters, meaningful themes, and carefully crafted prose that make her books ideal companions for children developing their reading skills.
Who Is Kate DiCamillo?
Kate DiCamillo’s journey to becoming one of America’s most beloved children’s authors wasn’t straightforward. Born in Philadelphia in 1964, she moved to Florida as a child for health reasons. After graduating from the University of Florida with an English degree, she worked various jobs before moving to Minnesota, where she began writing in earnest.
Her persistence through years of rejection (nearly 400 rejection letters by her own count) demonstrates the resilience she often portrays in her characters. DiCamillo’s breakthrough came with Because of Winn-Dixie (2000), which earned a Newbery Honor and was later adapted into a film. Since then, she has won two Newbery Medals for The Tale of Despereaux (2004) and Flora & Ulysses (2014), served as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature (2014-2015), and published over 25 books.
DiCamillo once stated, “I decided a long time ago that I didn’t have to be talented. I just had to be persistent.” This spirit of determination runs through her books, making them particularly valuable for children who may struggle with reading confidence.
DiCamillo’s Books and the Science of Reading
What makes Kate DiCamillo’s works so valuable for emerging readers, especially those who struggle? Her books incorporate several elements that align perfectly with the science of reading and support foundational literacy skills:
1. Varied Text Complexity
DiCamillo writes for multiple age levels, from early chapter books like the Mercy Watson series to more complex novels like The Tale of Despereaux. This range allows children to progress through increasingly challenging texts while staying with a trusted author. Her works include:
- Early readers/chapter books: The Mercy Watson series, Bink & Gollie
- Transitional chapter books: Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tiger Rising
- More complex chapter books: The Tale of Despereaux, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
2. Rich Vocabulary in Context
DiCamillo doesn’t shy away from sophisticated vocabulary, but she introduces complex words in supportive contexts that help readers decipher meaning. In The Tale of Despereaux, for example, readers encounter words like “perfidy” and “chiaroscuro,” but these are explained and used repeatedly, helping children expand their vocabulary naturally.
3. Narrative Structures That Support Comprehension
The clear narrative arcs in DiCamillo’s stories help children understand story structure, an essential component of reading comprehension. Her books often follow classic patterns that make stories predictable enough for comfort while still offering surprising developments that maintain engagement.
4. Emotional Connection to Text
Perhaps most importantly, DiCamillo creates characters and situations that foster deep emotional connections. As she herself has said, “Reading should not be presented to children as a chore or duty. It should be offered to them as a precious gift.” This emotional engagement keeps children motivated to continue reading even when they encounter challenges.
DiCamillo’s Books for Different Reading Stages
Parents can select DiCamillo books that match their child’s current reading development:
Early Readers (Ages 5-7)
The Mercy Watson Series
These colorful, humorous books about a toast-loving pig feature:
- Short chapters with supportive illustrations
- Predictable patterns and repetition
- High-interest plotlines with gentle humor
- Larger font size with appropriate spacing
Many kindergarten reading lists include these books because they’re engaging and accessible. The simple sentence structures and repeated phrases make them ideal for building reading confidence.
Developing Readers (Ages 7-9)
Because of Winn-Dixie
This heartwarming story about a girl and her dog supports reading development through:
- Clear narrative structure
- Relatable protagonist
- Manageable chapter length
- Themes that connect to children’s experiences
- Accessible language with occasional challenging vocabulary
Advancing Readers (Ages 9-12)
The Tale of Despereaux
This Newbery Medal-winning fantasy challenges readers while supporting their growth:
- More complex sentence structures
- Multiple storylines that converge
- Rich vocabulary with context clues
- Deeper themes to support comprehension development
- A narrator who occasionally breaks the fourth wall, helping readers feel like they’re part of a storytelling experience
Use DiCamillo’s Books for Read-Alouds
Read-alouds are powerful tools for literacy development, especially for struggling readers. Here are specific strategies for making the most of Kate DiCamillo’s books during shared reading time:
Before Reading
- Preview the book together: Examine the cover, read the blurb, and make predictions about the story.
- Set the stage: For The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, you might bring a stuffed rabbit or discuss what it means to love someone. For Because of Winn-Dixie, talk about pets and how they can change our lives.
- Connect to prior knowledge: “Have you ever felt lonely like Opal in Because of Winn-Dixie?” or “What would you do if you found a tiger like in The Tiger Rising?”
During Reading
- Use different voices: DiCamillo’s distinct characters offer natural opportunities for voice variation, helping children differentiate between characters and dialogue.
- Pause for prediction: At key moments, stop and ask, “What do you think will happen next?” This builds comprehension skills and maintains engagement.
- Highlight vocabulary: Briefly explain unfamiliar words or ask your child what they might mean based on context.
- Model thinking aloud: Share your own thoughts and reactions to the story: “I wonder why Edward is being so stubborn here…” or “I’m surprised by Flora’s decision…”
After Reading
- Open-ended questions: Instead of comprehension quizzes, focus on questions that invite conversation rather than testing what your child remembers. Try questions like:
- “Which character do you think changed the most?”
- “What would you have done in that situation?”
- “What do you think the author wants us to think about?”
- Creative response: Invite your child to respond to the story through art, writing, or dramatic play. They might:
- Draw a new adventure for Mercy Watson
- Write a letter to Edward Tulane
- Act out a favorite scene from The Tale of Despereaux
- Make connections: Help your child connect the story to their own experiences or to other books you’ve read together.
Be Honest With Young Readers
DiCamillo’s books address themes of resilience, hope, and overcoming challenges—themes that resonate deeply with children facing reading difficulties.
In response to a question about how honest authors should be with young readers, DiCamillo wrote, “I think our job is to see and to let ourselves be seen.” This perspective creates stories where children can see themselves reflected.
DiCamillo’s books often feature characters who:
- Feel different or isolated (Despereaux, Opal)
- Face significant challenges (Edward Tulane, Ulysses)
- Find strength they didn’t know they had (Flora, Peter from The Magician’s Elephant)
These narrative elements provide struggling readers with both mirrors (characters who share their experiences) and windows (glimpses into different ways of facing challenges).
Build a Reading Community Around DiCamillo’s Books
As DiCamillo herself has noted, “When we read together—when a grandfather reads to a granddaughter, when a teacher reads to a classroom, when a parent reads to a child—we are taken out of our aloneness.” Her books can become centerpieces for family reading traditions that support literacy development:
- Family book clubs: Read the same DiCamillo book independently or together, then gather to discuss.
- Book-to-movie comparisons: After reading Because of Winn-Dixie or The Tale of Despereaux, watch the film adaptation and discuss the differences and similarities.
- Author study: Read several DiCamillo books and look for common themes, favorite characters, or writing patterns.
- Progressive reading journey: Start with simpler DiCamillo texts and gradually move to more complex ones as your child’s reading skills develop.
The Magic of DiCamillo: Beyond Reading Skills
While DiCamillo’s works support technical reading skills, their greatest value may lie in how they foster a love of reading. Her stories remind us that reading isn’t just about decoding words—it’s about discovering worlds, connecting with characters, and finding meaning.
DiCamillo reminds us of “the connection that comes when words are read aloud. That connection provides illumination, it lets us see each other.” For children struggling with reading, this connection can be transformative, helping them see beyond the challenge of decoding to the joy that awaits them in stories.
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