Concentrate on how good if feels to be alive. No matter what. Just to see the color of the sky, just to smell the air, and feel the wind in your face

"Summer Sisters" is probably my least autobiographical book. The whole idea started with rowing down the pond. And I heard an explosion. I don't like sudden loud noises. They scare me. And then all these people came running down the hill and jumped in the water in their finery and a bride and groom was with them, and that's where it all started.

The only thing that works with writing is that you care so passionately about it yourself, that you make someone else care passionately about it.

My mother was my greatest fan.

A good writer is always a people watcher.

I meet people on the street or at book signings and they tend to treat me as if they know me, as if we're connected. It's great.

I love picture books. I think some of the best people in children's books are the ones who create their own picture books. I wish I could say I'm one of them, but I'm not.