On January 2, 2014, the Library of Congress, the Children's Book Council, and Every Child a Reader announced the appointment of Kate DiCamillo as the fourth National Ambassador for Young People's Literature for 2014-2015. Librarian of Congress James H. Billington offered the following remarks on DiCamillo's appointment:

Kate DiCamillo is not only one of our finest writers for young people, but also an outstanding advocate for the importance of reading.

An inauguration ceremony, presided by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and attended by 2012-13 National Ambassador Walter Dean Myers and 2008-09 National Ambassador Jon Scieszka, took place on Friday, January 10, 2014 at 11 a.m. in Room LJ-119 of the Library of Congress's Thomas Jefferson Building. [View recording of inaugural ceremony.]

For her two-year term as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Kate DiCamillo traveled across America to promote her platform, "Stories Connect Us," which engaged towns, schools, hospitals, community centers—anywhere people can gather and talk about books they have read together. She encouraged reading communities to explore how literature for all ages can change how they see one another.

About the Position

The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature raises national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.

The national ambassador is selected for his or her contributions to young people’s literature, the ability to relate to kids and teens and dedication to fostering children’s literacy in all forms. The selection, made by the Librarian of Congress, is based on recommendations from an independent committee comprising educators, librarians, booksellers and children’s literature experts.