A Life In Books: Kate Dicamillo

My Five Most Important Books

1. "Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson. It's about a man coming to terms with his faith and his life. I couldn't bear to be without it.

2. "Maus" by Art Spiegelman. A masterpiece of art and storytelling. I get some new nuance from it every year.

3. "Selected Stories" by Alice Munro. Each story is dense and delicious and different. They're never predictable.

4. "Doctor De Soto" by William Steig. The triumph of the small and the powerless over the smug and the powerful.

5. "The Accidental Tourist" by Anne Tyler. It's the first book that I held in my hands and thought, "I want to be able to do this."

A classic that, upon rereading, disappointed: "Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi. I feel so guilty saying this. It was so disjointed. I wanted to edit the whole thing, which is horrible, but there you go.

A book you hope parents will read to their kids: "Charlotte's Web" by E. B. White. It tells the truth and it makes the truth bearable. It shows you how to love the world.