The writer walks out of his workroom in a daze. He wants a drink. He needs it. It happens to be a fact that nearly every writer of fiction in the world drinks more whisky than is good for him. He does it to give himself faith hope and courage. A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom. He has no master except his own soul and that I am sure is why he does it.

Had I not had children of my own, I would have never written books for children, nor would I have been capable of doing so.

And don’t worry about the bits you can’t understand. Sit back and allow the words to wash around you, like music.

Kindness - that simple word. To be kind - it covers everything, to my mind. If you're kind that's it.

There is something about very cold weather that gives one an enormous appetite. Most of us find ourselves beginning to crave rich steaming stews and hot apple pies and all kinds of delicious warming dishes; and because we are all a great deal luckier than we realize, we usually get what we want—or near enough.

I am totally convinced that most grown-ups have completely forgotten what is it like to be a child between the ages of five and then... I can remember exactly what it was like. I am certain I can.

If my books can help children become readers then I feel I have accomplished something important.