Santa is our culture's only mythic figure truly believed in by a large percentage of the population. It's a fact that most of the true believers are under eight years old, and that's a pity.

At first, I see pictures of a story in my mind. Then creating the story comes from asking questions of myself. I guess you might call it the 'what if - what then' approach to writing and illustration.

My ideas are not meant to suggest dreams or reality, but a surreal quality.

The Dick, Jane, and Spot primers have gone to that bookshelf in the sky. I have, in some ways, a tender feeling toward them, so I think it's for the best.

I write for what's left of the eight-year-old still rattling around inside my head

Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe.

I pore over every word on the cereal box at breakfast, often more than once. You can ask me anything about shredded wheat.