The writer walks out of his workroom in a daze. He wants a drink. He needs it.

If you are good life is good.

I asked my mum, who's a very clever psychotherapist, and she says that kids love stories about death; they need it, they need to have stories that deal with death and explain it, as a place to put their fears.

I never get any protests from children. All you get are giggles of mirth and squirms of delight. I know what children like.

I'm wondering what to read next." Matilda said. "I've finished all the children's books.

I want an Oompa-Loompa!' screamed Veruca.

You mean you live down here?' Matilda asked. 'I do', Miss Honey replied, but she said no more. Matilda had never once stopped to think about where Miss Honey might be living. She had always regarded her purely as a teacher, a person who turned up out of nowhere and taught at school and then went away again.