Quite often somebody will say, What year do your books take place? and the only answer I can give is, In childhood.

Quote by Beverly Cleary

Topics: Beverly Cleary Quotes

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 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.

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 wanted to be a ballerina. I changed my mind.

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

Children want to do what grownups do.

Children want to do what grownups do.

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 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...

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

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 grew up before there were strict leash laws.

I grew up before there were strict leash laws.

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 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...

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...