Hoping to instill my love of learning in other children, I taught my first class at a local elementary school the year my first book, 'Flying Fingers,' debuted; since then, I have spoken at hundreds of schools, classrooms and conferences around the world.

We always reference kids but very rarely ask their opinion. Our inexperience might be what gives us the ability to teach our elders something, due to the fact that we are not jaded or cynical.

If we all understood we can learn from both older and younger people, then we'd have a better world.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of family encouragement - not just for me, but for everyone.

Our words can have power that we don't think we have in everyday life - anyone can make a difference.

With writing, I can express myself, really, and share my ideas and just let my thoughts flow out.

Mostly, I avoid worrying since the time spent doing it could be spent more constructively.