My life in Brooklyn was in constant danger because of my bad health.

Children are the best living audience in the world because they are so thoroughly honest.

We’ve educated children to think that spontaneity is inappropriate. Children are willing to expose themselves to experiences. We aren’t. Grownups always say they protect their children, but they’re really protecting themselves. Besides, you can’t protect children. They know everything.

If life is so critical, if Anne Frank could die, if my friend could die, children were as vulnerable as adults, and that gave me a secret purpose to my work, to make them live. Because I wanted to live. I wanted to grow up.

Childhood is a tricky business. Usually, something goes wrong.

I don't know how to write a children's book.

Oh, please don't go — we'll eat you up — we love you so!