Quotes from Jean Craighead George

and June burst over the mountain. It smelled good, tasted good, and was gentle to the eyes.

It seemed marvelous to see life pump through that strange little body of feathers, wordless noises, milk eyes—much as life pumped through me.

the tundra was even more beautiful—a glistening gold, and its shadows were purple and blue. Lemon-yellow clouds sailed a green sky and every wind-tossed sedge was a silver thread. "Oh," she whispered in awe, and stopped where she was to view the painted earth.

Yes, you are Eskimo," he had said. "And never forget it. We live as no other people can, for we truly understand the earth.

To be a writer you should read, write and talk to people, hear their knowledge, hear their problems. Be a good listener. The rest will come.

There is something all life has in common, and when I know what it is I shall know myself.

I met senators, diplomats and the President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Most of these wild animals depart in autumn when the sun changes their behavior and they feel the urge to migrate or go off alone. While they are with us, however, they become characters in my books, articles, and stories.

I have a perfect life where I read; I go out into the wilderness and camp. I meet scientists and learn about their studies of wild animals, and then I come home... and start creating the world I have seen.

I have discovered I cannot dream up characters as incredible as the ones I meet in the wilderness.

Oh, those golden-yellow eyes of the wolf! You can feel yourself being pulled in. I knew I had been accepted - and that I had spoken to another species.

Never before had I been offered a contract and advance before a word had been written... I went home and began writing 'Julie of the Wolves.'

Children are still in love with the wonders of nature, and I am, too. So I write them stories in hopes that they will want to protect all the beautiful creatures and places.

I hope my books empower kids, and that they learn how to work out their problems themselves.

Cats ... are completely self-sufficient and can leave you at any time and go off and make a living. And yet cats can have warm and loving relationships with humans.

I just love the world around me and wanted my audience to love and appreciate it too.

Doing interesting things and then writing about them is the best way to become a good writer.

My writing process is a mix of research, personal experiences, washing the dishes, raising kids while thinking - then writing.

I love to write and I love the natural world. Everything I've written about I've found exciting and it has never left me at a loss for words. I've always just done what I love.

Every day, I get e-mails from kids who want a tree - a world away from the adult world.

I love to travel, but when I really want to escape, I read a book.

I kept on writing and illustrating, for this is what I did well because I loved it.

I hope that the message I conveyed in 'Julie of the Wolves' is to tell young people to think things out. Think independently.

There are always the kids who just love animals. Unfortunately, though, people have become afraid of the outdoors.