The old fairy tales are very, very violent, and these days I think we could do with a little less of it.

On the whole, I think women wear too much and are to fussy. You can't see the person for all the clutter.

I do think, where would kids be if it weren't for you and for the good pediatricians, and for the good parents? I passionately believe in sitting a child on your lap and tracing the lines of the book with your finger, and they can read before they know they can, if you bother enough. I did it with my kids, and they're doing it with their kids now.

All I care about really is writing something worthwhile for children, something that will engage them in some way and stimulates in them a sense of wonder.

Well it's all right to cry. It helps a great deal sometimes.

For the last time, you cannot wear that cropped fleece vest

In a way I do hate the process of writing. It's like learning a role where you never think you're going to be able to conquer it when you start and it just takes enough focus and narrowing and getting enthusiastic and not losing it and so on. It's never good enough, but you aim for something and you hope it comes somewhat close. But it is a pleasure once you have written it.