...his face bore an expression that mingled haughty disdain with a tender, ardent sympathy, as if he would love all things if only his nature could let him forget their defects.

A murderer was a worthy companion.

When it comes to telling children stories, they don’t need simple language. They need beautiful language.

I am a story teller. If I wanted to send a message I would have written a sermon.

For every once upon a time there must be a story to follow, because if a story doesn't, something else will, and it might not be as harmless as a story.

This is the value for me of writing books that children read. Children aren't interested in your appalling self-consciousness. They want to know what happens next. They force you to tell a story.

You speak of destiny as if it was fixed.