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 do not remember any proper children's books in my childhood. I was not exposed to them.

If I have an unusual gift, it's not that I draw particularly better than other people - I've never fooled myself about that. Rather it's that I remember things other people don't recall: the sounds and feelings and images - the emotional quality - of particular moments in childhood. Happily an essential part of myself - my dreaming life - still lives in the light of childhood.

A book is really like a lover. It arranges itself in your life in a way that is beautiful.

Bumble-Ardy is a very wicked little child as far as I'm concerned. He's not to be trusted.

I became a set designer for opera. I'm a great opera buff, I love classical music, and I needed a time-out.

I'm not jaded. I never have been jaded. I've always been surprised at my success. I've always enjoyed it.