I think I have this thing where everybody has to think I'm the greatest.And if they aren't completely knocked out and dazzled and slightly intimidated by me, I don't feel good about myself.

When I first thought about writing the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I never originally meant to have children in it at all!

Poor Earthworm,' the Ladybird said, whispering in James's ear. 'He loves to make everything into a disaster. He hates to be happy. He is only happy when he is gloomy.

A Message to Children Who Have Read This Book - When you grow up and have children of your own, do please remember something important: a stodgy parent is no fun at all. What a child wants and deserves is a parent who is SPARKY.

Some children are spoiled and it is not their fault, it is their parents.

When writing about oneself, one must strive to be truthful. Truth is more important than modesty.

Books shouldn't be daunting, they should be funny, exciting and wonderful.