A notion for a story is for me a confluence of real events, historical perhaps, or from my own memory to create an exciting fusion.

But I didn’t dare. That has always been my trouble. I’ve never dared enough.

I was brought up, as a lot of kids are, on 'Aesop's Fables,' 'Brothers Grimm,' 'La Fontaine,' all those sorts of things. Hans Christian Andersen is a hero of mine.

I fill up the well of stories in my head - without ever knowing I'm doing it.

I think there's something about studying a book which will kill it if you're not careful.

It is the child's understanding that teaches the adults the way of the future. They're still doing it today with modern technology.

Animals are sentient, intelligent, perceptive, funny and entertaining. We owe them a duty of care as we do to children.