I never spent less than two years on the text of one of my picture books, even though each of them is approximately 380 words long. Only when the text is finished ... do I begin the pictures.

I had been reading a fabulous book [The Man Verdi, by Frank Walker] about [Giuseppe] Verdi, whom I adore.

I stress character, character, character.

You can't get rid of evil. We can't, and I feel that so intensely.

I want to see me to the end working, living for myself. Ripeness is all.

That always seemed to be the most critical test that a child was confronted with - loss of parents, loss of direction, loss of love. Can you live without a mother and a father?

Each month is gay, Each season nice, When eating Chicken soup With rice