Ms. DiCamillo also read her first two chapters from her new book Raymie Nightingale (in der deutschen Veröffentlichung: Little Miss Florida). She concluded her visit with Q & A time and autograph signing.
Several students were invited for a private interview session in the library with Ms. DiCamillo. These students asked fantastic questions and came away having learned many more things about her writing and personal life.
Here are the highlights of the interview with Kate DiCamillo:
Q: What does your face look like when you find a spelling mistake in a book that people can buy? Caspar, Year 3
A: Kate gave an exasperated look! “I don´t like it, but it happens sometimes.”
Q: Where do your ideas come from? Maxima, Year 3
A: From eavesdropping and weird things just pop into my head!
Q: When you told your parents you wanted to be a writer what did they say? Liliana, Year 4
A: Mom said, ´Good luck!´ My dad said, ´Go to college to learn to write.´
Q: Do you have tips for children who want to become and author? Maxima, Year 3
A: Read a lot. Write a lot. And a keep a notebook/journal to write your ideas down.
Q: How did you feel when one of your books became an award-winning best selling book and then a movie? Liliana, Year 4
A: I was so surprised and I still can´t believe it!
Q: How long does it take you to write a book? Jonah, Year 4
A: About a year to a year and a half.
Q: When do you have free-time? Caspar, Year 3
A: Mostly in late afternoon, but since I write when I want to I can do what I like all day long.
Q: When you were my age, what was your favorite book? Jonah, Year 4
A: The Twenty-One Balloons, by William Péne du Bois.