So, yes, at least from my end. You could say there's a lot of Alison [McGhee] in Gollie too.

I'm not exactly sure how old the girls are [in Bink & Gollie], but I can pretty much guarantee that their parents will never show up. That would mess up the fun. I do, however, very much like Kate's idea of having Tony [Fucile] draw their portraits.

Everything, as you well know . . . cannot always be sweetness and light.

Sometimes strange and wonderful things will pop into my head. And sometimes I will see something in the world that is the beginning of a story. I always have a notebook with me so that I can write down what I see and hear.

I have learned how to love. And it's a terrible thing. I'm broken. My heart is broken. Help me.

I'm grateful for every teacher or librarian who reads a book and says, "This is exactly the book that so-and-so needs to read; I'll get it in his hands." I'm amazed at the network of adults who make sure that kids get books.

You are down there alone, the stars seemed to say to him. And we are up here, in our constellations, together.