Through her characters and their relationships, DiCamillo poses several themes.

Opal, as well as each of the other characters, is confronted with issues such as love, loss, and friendship. Brought together, the characters gain wisdom and valuable lessons about what it means to hold on, to let go, to listen, and to share. Ultimately, Opal discovers what is really important.

Opal is a frank, funny, lonely little girl who fears upsetting her father. But with Winn-Dixie at her side, she decides to ask him about her mother who left them. She then memorizes what her father tells her because, as she says, "I wanted to know those ten things inside and out. That way, if my mama ever came back, I could recognize her, and I would be able to grab her and hold on to her tight and not let her get away from me...