Remember picture books are the closest form of writing to a poem. Even though they don't have to rhyme, they must be poetic. They must be written so the worst actress can read with comfort and expression.

I will have to rely on that painful teacher, experience.

I gotta pound the keys for the ideas to flow.

There should be fireworks at last, when a dream dies.

If I ruled supreme, there would be big problems.

I love visiting new places but am not overly fond of the travel to get to them.

[Rejection] made me quit writing once. For six months. I started up again when my then seven-year-old son asked me to start writing again because I was too grumpy when I wasn't writing.