The image I had was very clear, and so in that way The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane began like other books.

Everything I write comes from my childhood in one way or another. I am forever drawing on the sense of mystery and wonder and possibility that pervaded that time of my life.

A typical day for me is I get up at 6:00, the coffeemaker goes on automatically and the computer gets turned on. I pour a cup of coffee, listen to Garrison Keillor's The Writer's Almanac, and then I write.

Allow me to congratulate you on your very astute powers of observation.

Love!' said the princess. She stamped her foot. 'Why must everyone always speak of love?

Did you think that rats do not have hearts? Wrong. All living things have a heart. And the heart of any living thing can be broken.

My favorite food is deep-fried ravioli. I always get that every year.