I write books that seem more suitable for children, and that's OK with me. They are a better audience and tougher critics. Kids tell you what they think, not what they think they should think.

That's what art is. You don't make up stories. You live your life.

Then from far away across the world he smelled good things to eat, so he gave up being king of the wild things.

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

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

I often went to bed without supper cause I hated my mother's cooking. So, to go to bed without supper was not a torture to me. If she was gonna hurt me, she'd make me eat.

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