I wanted to be a ballerina. I changed my mind.

Quote by Beverly Cleary

Topics: Beverly Cleary Quotes

I enjoy writing for third and fourth graders most of all.

I enjoy writing for third and fourth graders most of all.

My mother would read aloud to my father and me in the evening. She read...

My mother would read aloud to my father and me in the evening. She read...

Otis was inspired by a boy who sat across the aisle from me in sixth...

Otis was inspired by a boy who sat across the aisle from me in sixth...

I was a very observant child. The boys in my books are based on boys...

I was a very observant child. The boys in my books are based on boys...

Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do...

Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do...

Children want to do what grownups do.

Children want to do what grownups do.

We didn't have television in those days, and many people didn't even have radios. My...

We didn't have television in those days, and many people didn't even have radios. My...

I had a very wise mother. She always kept books that were my grade level...

I had a very wise mother. She always kept books that were my grade level...

I don't think children's inner feelings have changed. They still want a mother and father...

I don't think children's inner feelings have changed. They still want a mother and father...

I feel sometimes that in children's books there are more and more grim problems, but...

I feel sometimes that in children's books there are more and more grim problems, but...

People are inclined to say that I am Ramona. I'm not sure that's true, but...

People are inclined to say that I am Ramona. I'm not sure that's true, but...

I read my books aloud before they were published.

I read my books aloud before they were published.

Quite often somebody will say, What year do your books take place? and the only...

Quite often somebody will say, What year do your books take place? and the only...

Writers are good at plucking out what they need here and there.

Writers are good at plucking out what they need here and there.

I don't necessarily start with the beginning of the book. I just start with the...

I don't necessarily start with the beginning of the book. I just start with the...

I grew up before there were strict leash laws.

I grew up before there were strict leash laws.

One rainy Sunday when I was in the third grade, I picked up a book...

One rainy Sunday when I was in the third grade, I picked up a book...

I was an only child; I didn't have a sister, or sisters.

I was an only child; I didn't have a sister, or sisters.

With twins, reading aloud to them was the only chance I could get to sit...

With twins, reading aloud to them was the only chance I could get to sit...

What interests me is what children go through while growing up.

What interests me is what children go through while growing up.