My favorite book is my next one. I’m always hoping to make my next book my best one.

Writing for children is as easy as describing the history of the Byzantium in three words.

The common thread of the series is that these are the books that Elephant and Piggie like to read. Elephant and Piggie are retired, so this is what they do in their spare time. What will they end up wanting to read? Time will tell. We've got to let that evolution happen as the series goes on. Any return of a character would have to be organic, would have to be, for example, Laurie Keller saying, hey, I really want to do this, and me feeling that there's a story there, rather than just saying, yeah, we can get three books out of these characters.

Aggle flabble kabble . . . snurp?

Kids are super-independent. This is the time when you don't need your parents for a story anymore. You have a great degree of agency and independence.

I always say, 'Books beat boredom,' said Amanda wisely.

If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave.