...those of us who write for children are called, not to do something to a child, but be someone for a child.

The name we give to something shapes our attitude toward it.

To fear is one thing. To let fear grab you by the tail and swing you around is another.

It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading.

Peace is not won by those who fiercely guard their differences, but by those who with open minds and hearts seek out connections.

I love revision. Where else can spilled milk be turned into ice cream?

As much pleasure as young people get from Twittering and texting, there is no way these activities will nourish their minds and spirits the way literature can.

Reading can be a road to freedom or a key to a secret garden, which, if tended, will transform all of life.

As I look back on what I have written, I can see that the very persons who have taken away my time are those who have given me something to say.

Some folks are natural born kickers. They can always find a way to turn disaster into butter.

I love to read. But I loved to read a lot longer than I started to love writing.

What seems is not what is. Because, none knows what is left, when it is all right!

A rainbow in the morning Is the Shepherd's warning But a rainbow at night Is the Shepherd's delight.

It is not so important to have all the answers as to be hungry for them.

If someone saw a movie of your life so far, when the credits rolled, would they say, “Wow, that was awesome?” Or would they scratch their heads and say, “I wonder what that was all about?

Why in almost all societies have married women specialized in bearing and rearing children and in certain agricultural activities, whereas married men have done most of the fighting and market work?

I never kill insects. If I see ants or spiders in the room, I pick them up and take them outside. Karma is everything.

You might be a redneck if you need one more hole punched in your card to get a freebie at the House of Tattoos.

What has worked before is never as good as something that has never been tried before, even if it doesn't work.

People teach their dogs to sit; it's a trick. I've been sitting my whole life, and a dog has never looked at me as though he thought I was tricky.

The past is good (as we all know), twenty, thirty years back everything was good, anyone can tell you that.