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
I enjoy writing for third and fourth graders most of all.
I write in longhand on yellow legal pads.
The key to writing successful YA is to keep the adults out of the story as much as possible.
I didn't start out writing to give children hope, but I'm glad some of them found it.
If you don't see the book you want on the shelves, write it.
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.
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.