Catherynne M. Valente, The Boy Who Lost Fairyland Quotes

Sometimes, magic is like that. It lands on your head like a piano, a stupid, ancient, unfunny joke, and you spend the rest of your life picking sharps and flats out of your hair.

Magic has a logic, like algebra. Once you get to know it, it's easy. If this, then that. You write with a pencil, you don't make frog soup with it.

Don't worry, my little lump of rock. Everybody gets a chance to choose. Or else where would irony come from?

Still life is boring. Never stand still! Jumping bean life!

I shall be as brave as a my Toad, he thought, for my Toad never hides under the bed when she is afraid of lightning or bats. She sticks out her tongue and eats them.

all children are required to attend School, which is like a party to which everyone forgot to bring punch, or hats, or fiddles, and none of the games have good prizes.

Now, in the Kingdom of School, to be asked into another child's room is like being asked inside their heart.

Rules are for those who can't think of a better way.

I'm not afraid of you!' The wombat yelled. 'I saw you get stuck in the washing machine once. Round and round you went! Who's afraid of something that can't defeat a rinse cycle?