One rainy Sunday when I was in the third grade, I picked up a book to look at the pictures and discovered that even though I did not want to, I was reading. I have been a reader ever since.

Quote by Beverly Cleary

Topics: Beverly Cleary Quotes

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...

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

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

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

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

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 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 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 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.

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...

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...

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...

Children want to do what grownups do.

Children want to do what grownups do.

I was a librarian.

I was a librarian.

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

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

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

I read my books aloud before they were published.

I read my books aloud before they were published.