Katrina Elizabeth DiCamillo is a renowned American author of children's fiction. Born on March 25, 1964, in Philadelphia, she is celebrated for works such as Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tiger Rising, The Tale of Despereaux, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Magician's Elephant, the Mercy Watson series, and Flora & Ulysses. Her literary creations have sold around 37 million copies, with several adapted into films and musicals.

DiCamillo's journey began in Clermont, Florida, where she was raised. She graduated with an English degree from the University of Florida, Gainesville. After holding various entry-level roles, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1994, working in a book warehouse while striving to publish her writings. Her debut book, Because of Winn-Dixie, achieved immense success, prompting her to pursue writing full-time.

From 2014-2015, DiCamillo served as the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. She resides in Minneapolis, continuing her writing endeavors. Her latest release, The Hotel Balzaar, hit shelves on October 1, 2024.