Beverly Cleary Quotes

Powerful Beverly Cleary for Daily Growth

About Beverly Cleary

Beverly Atlee Bunn, known professionally as Beverly Cleary (April 12, 1916 – March 25, 2021), was a beloved American author who captivated generations of young readers with her warm, humorous, and insightful children's literature. Born in McMinnville, Oregon, Cleary spent much of her childhood in Portland, where she developed a lifelong love for reading and writing. Inspired by her own experiences growing up, Cleary wrote stories that reflected the lives of urban middle-class children, filling her works with unforgettable characters such as Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Beezus and Ramona's Aunt Bee. Her first novel, "Henry Huggins," was published in 1950, launching a series of books that would come to define her career. Cleary's works were influenced by her time spent working at a public library in Portland, where she observed the reading habits and interests of children. This insight allowed her to create stories that resonated with young readers, addressing topics such as friendship, family, school, and growing up. Her books often included illustrations by Louis Darling, enhancing their appeal to young audiences. In 1980, Cleary published "Ramona the Pest," which won the Newbery Medal, the most prestigious award for children's literature in the United States. Throughout her prolific career, she wrote over 40 books and received numerous accolades, including three Newbery Honors and six Children's Choice Awards. Beverly Cleary passed away on March 25, 2021, at the age of 104, leaving behind a lasting legacy that continues to inspire readers today. Her timeless stories continue to be enjoyed by children and adults alike, offering insights into the human condition and reminding us all of the magic of reading.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"You're never too old for a new book."

This quote emphasizes that age is not a barrier to learning or experiencing new ideas through reading. It suggests that one can continue to grow, expand their knowledge, and discover fresh perspectives at any stage of life by engaging with books. Essentially, it encourages people to maintain an open mind and a love for reading throughout their lives.

"If you don't like to read, you haven't found the right book."

This quote by Beverly Cleary emphasizes the idea that reading should be a joyous experience. If one finds reading unenjoyable, it might indicate they have not yet discovered a book that resonates with their interests, personality, or learning style. The implication is to keep exploring different genres and authors until you find the books that ignite your passion for reading.

"A library card opens up a whole world."

This quote by Beverly Cleary emphasizes the transformative power of libraries and library cards. They provide individuals with unlimited access to knowledge, stories, ideas, and resources, effectively opening up a vast world filled with endless possibilities for learning, entertainment, and personal growth. Essentially, a library card is the key to a boundless universe of information, imagination, and opportunity.

"Words are, in my not so humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic."

Beverly Cleary's quote emphasizes the transformative power of words. They can be magical, as they have the ability to evoke emotions, paint vivid images, convey ideas, inspire actions, and even transport us to different worlds or time periods. In other words, words have an immense potential to create magic in our lives, whether it's through literature, conversation, or simply by expressing ourselves honestly.

"Little by little, a whisper here, a whisper there, we begin to see it."

This quote by Beverly Cleary suggests that change often happens gradually, subtly, and incrementally. The "it" in the quote can refer to various aspects of life such as personal growth, societal progress, or even understanding a complex situation. The whispers symbolize small actions, ideas, or insights that contribute to the change, highlighting the importance of persistent and consistent effort over time. The phrase "we begin to see it" implies recognition or awareness of this change, emphasizing patience and perseverance in observing and nurturing positive transformations.

I know that when I was a children's librarian, that was about 1940, boys particularly asked where were the books about kids like us, and there weren't any at that time.

- Beverly Cleary

Like, About, Particularly, Librarian

I was a librarian.

- Beverly Cleary

Librarian

My mother always kept library books in the house, and one rainy Sunday afternoon - this was before television, and we didn't even have a radio - I picked up a book to look at the pictures and discovered I was reading and enjoying what I read.

- Beverly Cleary

Book, Discovered, Before, Picked

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.

- Beverly Cleary

Been, Discovered, Though, Picked

I write in longhand on yellow legal pads.

- Beverly Cleary

Yellow, I Write, Longhand, Pads

In my grammar school years back in the 1920s I used my ten-cents-a-week allowance for Saturday matinees of Douglas Fairbanks movies. All that swashbuckling and leaping about in the midst of the sails of ships!

- Beverly Cleary

Sails, Saturday, 1920s, Allowance

Children want to do what grownups do.

- Beverly Cleary

Children, Want, Grownups

I don't think children's inner feelings have changed. They still want a mother and father in the very same house; they want places to play.

- Beverly Cleary

Parenting, Play, Think, Inner Feelings

I particularly enjoy cello music because our daughter plays the cello. I have listened to her practice for so many hours that I am familiar with the music written for that instrument. I am also fond of the popular music of the 1930s because my future husband and I danced to it so many Saturday nights when we were in college.

- Beverly Cleary

College, Practice, Saturday, Cello

'Dear Mr. Henshaw' came about because two different boys from different parts of the country asked me to write a book about a boy whose parents were divorced, and so I wrote 'Dear Mr. Henshaw,' and it won the Newbery, and I was - it's been very popular.

- Beverly Cleary

Country, Been, Very, Divorced

I grew up before there were strict leash laws.

- Beverly Cleary

Laws, Before, Were, Strict

Novels by British writers are among my favorites because our family has enjoyed travel in England and because they are written with an economy of words as if they were written with a pen instead of a computer. Penelope Fitzgerald is a favorite.

- Beverly Cleary

Words, England, Favorites, Novels

I was a very observant child. The boys in my books are based on boys in my neighborhood growing up.

- Beverly Cleary

Growing, Very, Based, Neighborhood

I longed for funny stories about the sort of children who lived in my neighborhood.

- Beverly Cleary

Children, Stories, About, Neighborhood

Ramona was originally an accidental character I added to the Henry Huggins books because I noticed that none of the characters had siblings. I added Ramona as Beazus' pestering little sister.

- Beverly Cleary

Noticed, Added, Originally, Accidental

Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do in school.

- Beverly Cleary

Children, School, Learn, Just Something

I had a bad time in school in the first grade. Because I had been a rather lonely child on a farm, but I was free and wild and to be shut up in a classroom - there were 40 children on those days in the classroom, and it was quite a shock.

- Beverly Cleary

Been, Shut, Bad Time, First Grade

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.

- Beverly Cleary

Read, Though, Refused, First Grade

I don't think children themselves have changed that much. It's the world that has changed.

- Beverly Cleary

Children, World, Think, Changed

In 50 years, the world has changed, especially for kids, but kids' needs haven't changed. They still need to feel safe, be close to their families, like their teachers, and have friends to play with.

- Beverly Cleary

Play, Needs, Still, Changed

I think the best teachers had a real interest in the subject they were teaching and a love for children. Some of the teachers were just doing their job, but others had that little extra. They really cared about children and they wore pretty dresses.

- Beverly Cleary

Love, Doing, Some, Extra

I have lovely memories of Los Angeles in the 1930s. I came down to live with my mother's cousin and they invited me to come and go to junior college for a year.

- Beverly Cleary

College, Lovely, Angeles, Cousin

I don't necessarily start with the beginning of the book. I just start with the part of the story that's most vivid in my imagination and work forward and backward from there.

- Beverly Cleary

Work, Beginning, Forward, Vivid

I was a great reader of fairy tales. I tried to read the entire fairy tale section of the library.

- Beverly Cleary

Read, Reader, Section, Tales

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.

- Beverly Cleary

Chance, Could, Read, Picture Books

I wrote books to entertain. I'm not trying to teach anything! If I suspected the author was trying to show me how to be a better behaved girl, I shut the book.

- Beverly Cleary

Shut, Entertain, Suspected, Behaved

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.

- Beverly Cleary

Practice, Constant, Use, Distracted

We didn't have television in those days, and many people didn't even have radios. My mother would read aloud to my father and me in the evening.

- Beverly Cleary

Father, Television, Read, Evening

I read my books aloud before they were published.

- Beverly Cleary

Before, Books, Read, Aloud

People are usually surprised to hear this, but I don't really read children's books.

- Beverly Cleary

Children, Books, Read, Surprised

I haven't been very enthusiastic about the commercialization of children's literature. Kids should borrow books from the library and not necessarily be buying them.

- Beverly Cleary

Been, Very, About, Borrow

Otis was inspired by a boy who sat across the aisle from me in sixth grade. He was a lively person. My best friend appears in assorted books in various disguises.

- Beverly Cleary

Best, Sat, Appears, Lively

I think adults sometimes don't think about how children are feeling about the adult problems.

- Beverly Cleary

Think, Sometimes, I Think, Problems

I was an only child; I didn't have a sister, or sisters.

- Beverly Cleary

Sister, Only, Sisters, Only Child

I hope children will be happy with the books I've written, and go on to be readers all of their lives.

- Beverly Cleary

Happy, Will, Lives, Readers

I enjoy writing for third and fourth graders most of all.

- Beverly Cleary

Writing, Most, Third, Fourth

What interests me is what children go through while growing up.

- Beverly Cleary

Growing Up, Growing, Through, Interests

I rarely read children's books.

- Beverly Cleary

Children, Books, Read, Rarely

Over the years, I have been approached about making Ramona into a cartoon or movie, but I was afraid that no one could really capture the spunky character of Ramona.

- Beverly Cleary

Over, Making, Been, Capture

I like to read, walk, cook, and travel to cities. We live in the country, so we miss museums and the bustle of city life.

- Beverly Cleary

Country, Cities, Read, Miss

I wanted to be a ballerina. I changed my mind.

- Beverly Cleary

Mind, Changed, Wanted, Ballerina

I'm just lucky. I do have very clear memories of childhood. I find that many people don't, but I'm just very fortunate that I have that kind of memory.

- Beverly Cleary

Memory, Lucky, Very, Memories

I had a very wise mother. She always kept books that were my grade level in our house.

- Beverly Cleary

Always, Level, Very, Grade

I didn't start out writing to give children hope, but I'm glad some of them found it.

- Beverly Cleary

Start, Give, Some, Glad

Quite often somebody will say, What year do your books take place? and the only answer I can give is, In childhood.

- Beverly Cleary

Childhood, Give, Will, Answer

I feel sometimes that in children's books there are more and more grim problems, but I don't know that I want to burden third- and fourth-graders with them.

- Beverly Cleary

Want, Sometimes, More, Grim

People are inclined to say that I am Ramona. I'm not sure that's true, but I did share some experiences with her.

- Beverly Cleary

Say, Some, Sure, Inclined

I think the best teachers had a real interest in the subject they were teaching and a love for children.

- Beverly Cleary

Love, Think, I Think, Teachers

I just wrote about childhood as I had known it.

- Beverly Cleary

About, Known, Wrote, Childhood

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.