So many things that you can ask children hopefully pique their interest and they can design and think for themselves. Having children draw and illustrate what they saw in their minds' eyes during the story is a tremendous teaching aid.

I am told that the first comprehensible word I uttered as a child was 'home.

It's all about giving back, helping people and encouraging people. I love to do that.

I've got a good right hook.

I love singing, and I came to absolutely adore it in the later part of my career.

I'm not singing anymore; that is why I am so pleased to be writing. My daughter said, "You just found a different way of using your voice."

I think that the best way to explain that is that my mother gave me all the color and character and flare and liveliness, and my father gave me all the sanity and nature and all the things that helped me be a more rounded human being.