It’s 25 years since “Because of Winn Dixie” was published, which means 25 years of readers enjoying the heart and honesty of Kate DiCamillo. We’re delighted to share this conversation with one of kidlit’s most beloved authors, and chat with Kate about her unforgettable characters and craft. As Kate says, “Characters are people I’ve discovered, not made up.” Come discover Kate’s world with us!Our Books for Children and Young Adults:

• ⁠Flying Lessons & Other Stories⁠ Edited by Ellen Oh; Kelly’s short story in this middle grade anthology is “The Beans and Rice Chronicles of Isaiah Dunn.”
• ⁠Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero⁠ by Kelly J. Baptist
• ⁠Isaiah Dunn Saves the Day⁠ by Kelly J. Baptist
• ⁠The Electric Slide and Kai⁠ by Kelly J. Baptist; Illustrated by Darnell Johnson
• ⁠The Swag is in the Socks⁠ by Kelly J. Baptist
• ⁠Eb & Flow⁠ by Kelly J. Baptist
• ⁠Ready, Set, Dough!⁠ by Kelly J. Baptist
• ⁠See You in the Cosmos⁠ by Jack Cheng
• ⁠The Many Masks of Andy Zhou⁠ by Jack Cheng
• ⁠Jumped In⁠ by Patrick Flores-Scott
• ⁠American Road Trip⁠ by Patrick Flores-Scott
• ⁠No Going Back⁠ by Patrick Flores-Scott
• ⁠The Griffins of Castle Cary⁠ by Heather Shumaker

• Kelly J. Baptist: ⁠kellyiswrite.com⁠
• Jack Cheng: ⁠jackcheng.com⁠
• Patrick Flores-Scott: ⁠patrickfloresscott.com⁠
• Heather Shumaker: ⁠heathershumaker.com⁠
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Find us online: Contact us: ⁠

hello@booksmitten.us⁠

X/Twitter: ⁠@booksmittenpod⁠

Bluesky: @booksmitten.bsky.social

Produced by Patrick Flores-Scott and Heather Shumaker