Love is ridiculous. But love is also wonderful. And powerful. And Despereaux's love for the Princess Pea would prove, in time, to be all of these things: powerful, wonderful, and ridiculous.

All of God's creatures have names, every last one of them. Of that I am sure: of that I have no doubt at all.

I didn't start working on children's books until I got a job at a book warehouse on the children's floor. When I started reading some of the books, I was so impressed.

Mercy Watson was a character that had been in my head for a long time.

Take this squirrel, for instance. Ulysses. Do I believe he can type poetry? Sure, I do believe it. There is much more beauty in the world if I believe such a thing is possible.

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

As far as books getting turned into movies, I fared very, very well.