Quotes from Kate DiCamillo

And so he was reading the story as if it were a spell and the words of it, spoken aloud, could make magic happen.

Never in his life had Edward been cradled like a baby. Abilene had not done it. Nor had Nellie. And most certainly, Bull had not. It was a singular sensation to be held so gently and yet so fiercely, to be stared down at with so much love. Edward felt the whole of his china body flood with warmth. (page 128)

Perhaps what matters when all is said and done is not who puts us down but who picks us up.

Men and boys always want to go fight. They are always looking for a reason to go to war. It is the saddest thing. They have this abiding notion that war is fun. And no history lesson will convince them differently.

Don't we all live in our heads? Where else could we possibly exist? Our brains are the universe.

He was reading from the beginning so that he could get to the end, where the reader was assured that the knight and the fair maiden lived together happily ever after.

And hope is like love...a ridiculous, wonderful, powerful thing.

Life was so short; so many beautiful things slipped away.

Rats have a sense of humor. Rats, in fact think the world is very funny. And they are right, dear reader. They are right.

They were always on the move.But in truth said bull we are all going nowhere

We forget that the simple gesture of putting a book in someone's hands can change a life. I want to remind you that it can. I want to thank you because it did. - 2010 Indies Choice Award

It was a singular sensation to be held so gently and yet so fiercely, to be stared down at with so much love.

Like most hearts, it was complicated, shaded with dark and dappled with light.

All words at all times, true or false, whispered or shouted, are clues to the workings of the human heart.

So many miracles have not yet happened.

But still, here are the words Despereaux Tilling spoke to his father. He said, I forgive you, Pa! And he said those words because he sensed that it was the only way to save his heart, to stop it from breaking in two. Despereaux, reader, spoke those words to save himself.

The shapes arranged themselves into words, and the words spelled out a delicious and wonderful phrase: Once upon a time.

You are the ever-expanding universe to me

What was it like... to have someone who knew you would always return and who welcomed you with open arms?

Hands down, the biggest thrill is to get a letter from a kid saying, I loved your book. Will you write me another one?

I have learned how to love. And it's a terrible thing. I'm broken. My heart is broken. Help me.

Despereaux, she whispered. And then she shouted it, Despereaux! Reader, nothing is sweeter in this sad world than the sound of someone you love calling your name. Nothing.

We must ask ourselves these questions as often as we dare. How will the world change if we do not question it?

The world was beautiful. It surprised me, how beautiful it kept on insisting on being. In spite of all the lies, it was beautiful.