It would not be accurate to say that every Kate DiCamillo book is about a girl and an animal--some are just about animals. (I'm talking about you, Mercy Watson.) And some are just about girls. (Ditto, Bink and Gollie.)

But certainly the combination of child and creature, in DiCamillo's hands, has proven satisfying and successful, from "Because of Winn Dixie" to her newest, madcap, part narrative part graphic novel, "Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures."

Our review of this book will run in August, and the book will be published in September, but what you need to know right now is that tickets for the book launch--at 7 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the Fitzgerald Theatre in St. Paul--are on sale now and likely to sell quickly.

DiCamillo will be in conversation with MPR's Cathy Wurzer and will also read and take questions from the audience; tickets are $8 for children and $15 for adults and area available through Ticketmaster.

Not persuaded? Maybe a word from DiCamillo herself will convince you:

DiCamillo_Flora&UlyssesPromo from Mackin Educational Resources on Vimeo.