The Tale of Despereaux came at the request of Luke, my friend's then-eight-year-old son, who asked, "Write for me the story of an unlikely hero with exceptionally large ears."

Anybody who puts a book into someone else's hands inspires me - teachers, librarians, booksellers, parents.

Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark. Begin at the beginning. Tell Gregory a story. Make some light.

Rats have a sense of humor. Rats, in fact think the world is very funny. And they are right, dear reader. They are right.

I grew up in Florida, and I wanted to go home and I couldn't. I didn't have the money. The book [The Tiger Rising] was a way to go home.

There," she said. She rocked him back and forth. "There, you foolish, beautiful boy who wants to change the world. There, there. And who could keep from loving you? Who could keep from loving a boy so brave and true?

But let's not speak of what might have been. Let us speak instead of what is. You are whole.