If you have ever been back to the children’s area of Lemuria, lovingly known as Oz, you probably have heard us rave about Kate DiCamillo, if not by name, then by her book titles. Because of Winn-Dixie, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Tale of Despereaux, the Mercy Watson series, these books are just a few of the amazing works that Kate has given us.

In a blog I wrote last year, I discussed Kate’s 2010 Indies Choice Award “Most Engaging Author” and her love for indies. Well, I am here to say that we love you in return, Kate. One of the best parts of my day is handing a book to a child knowing that it will open their hearts and minds and leave them with that amazing tingly feeling you get when you finish a good book. Often, the author of that book in my hand is Kate DiCamillo.

Kate has won so many awards that it is hard to keep up, but just to name a few:

Newbery Honor for Because of Winn-Dixie (which was turned into a great live action film)
National Book Award Finalist for Tiger Rising
Newbery Medal for The Tales of Despereaux (which was also turned into an animated film)
Geisel Award for Bink and Gollie

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We recently read The Magician’s Elephant with my 5th grade girls book club. One of the girls described the language in the book as “layered,” and I couldn’t agree more, not just about The Magician’s Elephant, but about all of Kate’s books. These are books that you read to your small children and then give back to them when they are in second and third grade for them to read again and find their own magic. They connect with such a wide audience, from people such as myself, a twenty-something with no children, to grandmothers, and three-year-olds. In a blog I wrote last Christmas, I gushed about my love for her newest format of book, Bink and Gollie, which won the Geisel Award, an award given to books that encourages reluctant readers.

As you can see, I am in love with Kate DiCamillo works and what they do for children’s literature, but it’s not just me. Others at the store and in the community are in love with her books as well. She appears on more bookcases and on more summer reading lists in the area than any other writer. I am so excited that she will be here this Sunday, May 15th at 1:00! She will be signing and reading, so please come meet this amazing children’s writer!

There are some rules associated with this signing that you will need to be aware of:

  • Kate will sign AND personalize one title per person and just sign up to two additional titles per person. So all in all, you will be allowed to get three books signed by Kate the day of the signing. Also, one of these books will need to be bought from Lemuria.
  • Kate will NOT sign promotional items, posters, autograph books, personal items, etc.
  • Kate will allow photos in progress, but there should be no posing or going  behind the signing table.
Please come out and meet Kate DiCamillo! You never know when you will get a chance like this again!
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