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 read my books aloud before they were published.

I read my books aloud before they were published.

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 enjoy writing for third and fourth graders most of all.

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

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 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...

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...

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

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

I grew up before there were strict leash laws.

I grew up before there were strict leash laws.

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

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

Children want to do what grownups do.

Children want to do what grownups do.

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 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.

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 librarian.

I was a librarian.

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.

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 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...

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

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

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...