Kate DiCamillo is one of the most widely read and beloved children’s authors of our time. Her stories, like “Because of Winn-Dixie,” “The Magician’s Elephant,” “The Tiger Rising,” “The Tale of Despereaux,” “Flora & Ulysses,” and the loveable “Mercy Watson,” all stay with you. And while you may not remember the plot points exactly, you very likely remember how you felt when reading them.
Kate’s stories take us to the dark parts of the world and back again. That journey makes us realize that, even in the darkest moments, there is always hope. Authentically connecting with children to share that message is at the heart of Kate's work. Her range is extensive, and in all of her books, Kate manages to tap her inner child to reach young audiences in an authentic way.
In this episode, we talk about Kate’s personal journey and how she so effectively uses darkness to share messages of hope. Kate explores how she connects with her own child within to write, and why the minds of children still spark inspiration for her stories.
Read Brave is the title of Kate’s reading challenge for Beanstack. It includes titles of various books Kate believes show different types of bravery. They range from picture books like “Paddington Bear” to more recent titles like “The Lucky Ones” by Linda Williams Jackson. Access the reading challenge here.
Listen to the full episode, “They Already Know: Kate DiCamillo on Helping Kids Find Hope In Darkness,” on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, please leave a review, subscribe, and share with someone who will enjoy it.
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Xo
Jordan