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

Quote by Beverly Cleary

Topics: Beverly Cleary Quotes

I was a librarian.

I was a librarian.

I read my books aloud before they were published.

I read my books aloud before they were published.

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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

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

People are usually surprised to hear this, but I don't really read children's books.

People are usually surprised to hear this, but I don't really read children's books.

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

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

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...

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...

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...

I grew up before there were strict leash laws.

I grew up before there were strict leash laws.

I was a great reader of fairy tales. I tried to read the entire fairy...

I was a great reader of fairy tales. I tried to read the entire fairy...

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...

Children want to do what grownups do.

Children want to do what grownups do.

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.