Kate DiCamillo is a great choice for National Ambassador for Children's Literature. Personable, thoughtful, respected by critics and loved by young readers.

 

 

 

 

 

Her The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane won the 2006 Boston-Globe Horn Book Award; I've always thought the only thing that stood between it and Newbery recognition was Bagram Ibatoulline's illustration of the crucified Edward.

 



But that's what I love most about Kate's books, the way she goes from weird moody novels to easy readers to the sweetly surreal Bink and Gollie series. I'm always asking her to write articles and give speeches, and she's almost always saying no, but when she pleads the inability to give whatever speech or article I've asked her to produce the time and attention it deserves, I believe her. And when she does commit to something, it's always fabulous. She's going to do a terrific job.