In this modern world where activity is stressed almost to the point of mania, quietness as a childhood need is too often overlooked. Yet a child's need for quietness is the same today as it has always been--it may even be greater--for quietness is an essential part of all awareness. In quiet times and sleepy times a child can dwell in thoughts of his own, and in songs and stories of his own.

There is a loving way with words and an unloving way. And it is only with the loving way that the simplicity of language becomes beautiful.

Everything that anyone would ever look for is usually where they find it.

A child's own story is a dream, but a good story is a dream that is true for more than one child.

I don't think I'm essentially interested in children's books. I'm interested in writing, and in pictures. I'm interested in people and in children because they are people.

there seem to be times of reception and times of creation and it is perhaps difficult not to confuse the two.

When the groundhog casts his shadow And the small birds sing And the pussywillows happen And the sun shines warm And when the peepers peep Then it is Spring