Quotes from Tony DiTerlizzi

My fifth grade teacher Mr. Straussberger noticed I was having trouble with some of my book reports, but he knew I loved to draw. He gave me extra credit if I did a drawing from the book that I was reading.

When you're in elementary school, you get these amazing assignments, like to come up with your own animal, come up with your own city, come up with your own planet, what do the people look like; you're very much encouraged to be as imaginative as possible.

Usually, an author writes a manuscript that is handed in to the editor. The editor will then work with an art director to find just the right illustrator for the job, and off they go. Many times, the illustrator and author never meet.

I think I've got a decent imagination. I hope some of my stories inspire other young imaginations.

The exciting thing about doing art for someone else's story is how I can translate their world through pictures, and that's always a pretty big challenge.

Having a family that loves books and loves to read has always created a common ground for communication.

Balancing an illustrator and author can be tricky, but I was an illustrator mostly before I wrote my books.

I don't look at stories in genres. A good story is a good story, no matter what planet it happens on, whether the characters are mice or human or whatever. That's how I look at it.

I'd love to be an astronaut. I bet you get a better understanding of our planet seeing it from a distance.

I never want to dumb it down. If there's any simplification, it's just a simplification to make sure that the reader understands the point that the character is trying to make.

I love books, and I love to read, and I had ideas for books that I thought would be neat to read.

I must confess that although I am quite passionate about the books I create for children, I am not the best oral storyteller. In fact, I stink at it.

I want my stories to be understood and enjoyed by anyone, so I need 'beta-readers' who will tell me when the plot is working or not working, and when my writing is concise or vague.

We have someone with us who is dying--someone whose spirit is ready to leave this world, she thought to the tree. But he wants to be with his clan. With his forest. Will you take us?

True, it has given its life," Rovender said. "But its energy, its spirit, will replenish yours. Respect that and enjoy the meal.

Eva, I recognize your confusion. It is not always easy to understand another's spirit, especially if you do not know where to look" -Rovender

The essence will be evident everywhere. In all that the citizens do: in their art, music, food, and their buildings. If the essence of a place nourishes your spirit, then it is a good place to be" -Rovender

A heart of compassion is just as hard to hold within you as one of indifference" -the Truth Bird

Everything was better when I was imagining it. Real things are complicated.

Most will tell you what they believe to be fact because it is much harder to conceal it. It takes effort to suppress the truth. It usually eats you up from the inside out if you try to contain it in silence. In the end you have to decide what truth resides best within you... even if your point of view does not agree with others.

FOR, IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, our most basic common link IS THAT WE ALL INHABIT this small planet. WE ALL BREATHE THE SAME AIR. We all cherish our children's future. AND WE ARE ALL MORTAL. —John F. Kennedy

One can din happiness in a variety of places. It can be in a busy city of many, such as Solas; but it may also be alone, deep in a tranquil forest. It is not always among your kind" -Rovender

Some things we must learn through experience. That is how one truly lives.

Ya no hay demasiados seres fantásticos en los que creer. Establecemos nuestro hogar en los escasos bosques que nos quedan. Pronto ya no quedarán ni ésos.