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

I feel sometimes that [in children's books] there are more and more grim problems, but I don't know that I want to burden third- and fourth-graders with them. I feel it's important to get children to enjoy reading.

I hope children will be happy with the books I've written, and go on to be readers all of their lives.

With twins, reading aloud to them was the only chance I could get to sit down. I read them picture books until they were reading on their own.

I was an only child; I didn't have a sister, or sisters.

People are inclined to say that I am Ramona. I'm not sure that's true, but I did share some experiences with her.