Beverly Cleary
Beverly Cleary
Beverly Atlee Clearyis an American writer of children's and young adult fiction. One of America's most successful living authors, 91 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide since her first book was published in 1950. Some of her best known characters are Henry Huggins and his dog Ribsy, Ramona and Beezus Quimby, and Ralph S. Mouse...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionChildren's Author
Date of Birth12 April 1916
CityMcminnville, OR
CountryUnited States of America
The humiliation that Jane had felt turned to something else--grief perhaps, or regret. Regret that she had not known how to act with a boy, regret that she had not been wiser.
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.
Neither the mouse nor the boy was the least bit surprised that each could understand the other. Two creatures who shared a love for motorcycles naturally spoke the same language.
'Dear Mr. Henshaw' came about because two different boys from different parts of the country asked me to write a book about a boy whose parents were divorced, and so I wrote 'Dear Mr. Henshaw,' and it won the Newbery, and I was - it's been very popular.
I know that when I was a children's librarian, that was about 1940, boys particularly asked where were the books about kids like us, and there weren't any at that time.
I'm very surprised at the high number of boys who have written to say that reading my books was hard work but worth it. I have many loyal boy readers.
My books take place in a very specific neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. It must be the most stable neighborhood in the United States.
The exterior circumstances have certainly changed for many children. The world is not the safe place it was when I was growing up.
I read my books aloud before they were published.
People are usually surprised to hear this, but I don't really read children's books.
Problem solving, and I don't mean algebra, seems to be my life's work. Maybe it's everyone's life's work.
I wanted to be a ballerina. I changed my mind.
I think the best teachers had a real interest in the subject they were teaching and a love for children.
I was a great reader of fairy tales. I tried to read the entire fairy tale section of the library.