I’ve watched the 2005 video “Because of Winn-Dixie” at home three times, and I could watch it again. It’s directed by Wayne Wang. The book, published in 2000, is by Kate DiCamillo.

Opal is the 10-year-old girl in the movie, and she lives in a mobile home with her father. Her mother left when she was 3 years old, and during the time in the movie, her father tells her about her mother. To me he seems like a very loving man with his daughter. One example is that he finally says it is OK for her to have the dog she was introduced to when she was at the grocery store. Originally he thought the dog would go to a pet facility, but it isn’t too long until he OKs her having the dog in their mobile home. So the three main characters in the movie are Opal, her father, who’s a minister, and Winn-Dixie (the dog).

Lots of scenes are my favorites. One is when she is on a chair by a tree at the edge of town drawing and coloring a picture of the town where they live. Winn-Dixie is always with her. As the film continues, there are several more scenes where she is drawing and painting. This is just one of her talents. Was I as tuned in to life when I was 10 years old? I hope so.

Another is when she meets an older woman in the library, and the woman is imaginative and open to being a friend to Opal, who actually asks, “Will you be my friend?”

Mr. Otis is the man who plays the guitar and sings when he works in a store with many animals. Opal wants to work in the store to earn some money, but even more, she wants to be near the animals.

One time when she is looking for Winn-Dixie, she’s in a place with lots of trees, and she meets a Black older woman — Gloria. They become friends and tell each other something important. The older woman explains that she can hardly see. Opal says “My dad’s a preacher … I don’t have a mommy.”

When she is back home, one time when her dad is tucking her in her bed, she says “I’m 10 years old. I think you should tell me 10 things about my mom.” He tells her nine important details, and says “that’s enough for now.”

Another time when Opal is with the black woman, she says “Let’s have a party.” They hug each other and then start cleaning the house.

They do have the party at Gloria’s (indoors and outdoors), and all the people whom we’ve met as we followed Opal’s life are invited. They get along as they are eating the foods, and I want to have a party like this. The prayer at the end: “We got good friends. Teach us to love one another.”

For the story behind “Because of Winn Dixie,” go to https://www.katedicamillo.com/on_writing-2/

Check out Minnesota author Kate DiCamillo’s many award-winning books (and their movie counterparts) at your Marshall-Lyon County Library. mlclibrary.org.