Flora and Ulysses by: Kate DiCamillo and K. G. Campbell

Disclosure: As a Disney Creator I received a free copy of Flora & Ulysses to help facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

Purchase on Amazon

As a Disney creator and travel planner, I love when I get an early viewing of a movie or TV show. I get even more tickled when there is a book involved. 

Book Description

It begins, as the best superhero stories do, with a tragic accident that has unexpected consequences. The squirrel never saw the vacuum cleaner coming, but self-described cynic Flora Belle Buckman, who has read every issue of the comic book Terrible Things Can Happen to You!, is the just the right person to step in and save him. What neither can predict is that Ulysses (the squirrel) has been born anew, with powers of strength, flight, and misspelled poetry—and that Flora will be changed too, as she discovers the possibility of hope and the promise of a capacious heart.

From #1 New York Times best-selling author Kate DiCamillo comes a laugh-out-loud story filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring an exciting new format—a novel interspersed with comic-style graphic sequences and full-page illustrations, all rendered in black-and-white by up-and-coming artist K. G. Campbell.

About Kate DiCamillo and K. G. Campbell

Kate DiCamillo was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 25, 1964. She received an English degree from the University of Florida. At the age of thirty, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and worked for a book warehouse on the children's floor. After working there for four and a half years, she fell in love with children's books and began writing. DiCamillo wrote the 2001 Newbery-honor book, Because of Winn-Dixie, which was adapted into a film in 2005. In 2004, she won the Newbery Medal for The Tale of Despereaux, which was also adapted into a movie in 2008, and for Flora and Ulysses in 2013. Her other works include the Mercy Watson series, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, and The Magician's Elephant. DiCamillo was named the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature by the Library of Congress for the term 2014-2015. In 2015 her title Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures, made The New York Times Best Seller List.

K. G. Campbell was born in Kenya, but raised and educated in Scotland. He graduated with a master's degree in art history from the University of Edinburgh. After trying several careers, Keith eventually returned to his early passion of writing and illustrating stories. He is the author-illustrator of several picture books and the winner of two Ezra Jack Keats Honors. A Small Zombie Problem is his first work for older readers. Keith lives in Malibu, California.

My Thoughts

I am always a little nervous when I read a book after seeing the movie or vise versa. I feel that there is something lost between the two. So when I got an early viewing of Flora & Ulysses I was excited. Then I was offered a chance to read the book and well the nerves kicked. 

However, I should have followed Peter Pan's advice and had a little faith and trust because Disney did not disappoint. 

After watching the movie Flora & Ulysses I picked up the book to enjoy the story in written form. This book did not disappoint. 

We meet Flora who befriends a squirrel who she names Ulysses. Through their deepening friendship, they learn many things. Like love can come in many forms. Such as the love of a friend, parental love, and love for life.

Through their friendship, they learn courage and that anyone can be a superhero in their own life. However, the thing I took from this book the most was that even if you lose hope you can always find it again. 

this book was so delightful. It was filled with funny moments, touching moments and was a pure joy to read. Oh and if your interested you can stream the movie now on Disney+.