It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations- something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own.

Reading has made such a profound difference to my life. I'm sure I became a writer because of the power of literature in my own life.

The challenge for those of us who care about our faith and about a hurting world is to tell stories which will carry the words of grace and hope in their bones and sinews and not wear them like fancy dress.

The children's book world has given me wonderful friendships and an unbelievably rich life.

The thing I have learned through the years is that one idea 'doth' not a novel make. A novel must be several seemingly unrelated ideas that somehow magically come together to create the fabric of the story.

Sometimes you need to give people something that's for them, not just something that makes you feel good giving it.

Mandarin ducks mate for life and will die of loneliness if separated from their chosen mate.