Otis was inspired by a boy who sat across the aisle from me in sixth grade. He was a lively person. My best friend appears in assorted books in various disguises.

Quote by Beverly Cleary

Topics: Beverly Cleary Quotes

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 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.

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...

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

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

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 grew up before there were strict leash laws.

I grew up before there were strict leash laws.

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...

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 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 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...

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.

Children want to do what grownups do.

Children want to do what grownups do.

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 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...

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...

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...