Howl has been very kind to me." And this was true, Sophie realized. Howl showed his kindness rather strangely, but, considering all Sophie did to annoy him, he had been very good to her indeed. "Do listen. He's not wicked at all!" There was a bit of a fizz from the grate at this, where Calcifer was watching with some interest. " He isn't!" Sophie said, to Calcifer as much as to Fanny.

It is quite a risk to spank a wizard for getting hysterical about his hair.

Writing for adults, you have to keep reminding them of what is going on. The poor things have given up using their brains when they read. Children you only need to tell things to once.

To love someone enough to let them go, you had to let them go forever or you did not love them that much.

And indeed if you think you're a genius at something, what you achieve is very much according to your expectations; if you think you're no good, you're not going to get anywhere.

But most dragons seem to have interesting personalities--besides probably having quite good reasons for what they do, if only one could understand them

I've got a hangover." "No, you hit your head on the floor." "I can't stay. I've got to rescue that fool Sophie.