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
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.
When I was in the first grade I was afraid of the teacher and had a miserable time in the reading circle, a difficulty that was overcome by the loving patience of my second grade teacher. Even though I could read, I refused to do so.
If we finished our work, the teacher would say, 'Now don't read ahead.' But sometimes I hid the book I was reading behind my geography book and did read ahead. You can hide a lot behind a geography book.
Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do in school.
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.
My favorite books are a constantly changing list, but one favorite has remained constant: the dictionary. Is the word I want to use spelled practice or practise? The dictionary knows. The dictionary also slows down my writing because it is such interesting reading that I am distracted.
Children want to do what the grownups do. Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do in school.
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.