Kathi Appelt Quotes

Powerful Kathi Appelt for Daily Growth

About Kathi Appelt

Kathi Appelt, an acclaimed American children's book author, was born on February 19, 1948, in Waco, Texas. Raised by a family of storytellers, her love for narrative artistry blossomed from an early age. Appelt's life has been deeply influenced by her Texas roots and the natural world that surrounded her. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Baylor University, she pursued a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the University of Minnesota. These academic journeys honed her writing skills and fueled her passion for crafting compelling stories. Appelt's breakthrough work, 'The Underneath' (2006), won the prestigious Newbery Honor Award, recognizing excellence in American children's literature. This novel, along with its companion piece 'The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp' (2004), showcases Appelt's unique ability to create immersive, richly detailed worlds populated by unforgettable characters. Inspired by the flora and fauna of Texas, Appelt frequently incorporates themes of ecology, community, and survival into her works. Her stories often challenge readers to empathize with a wide range of characters, fostering understanding and compassion. Appelt's works continue to resonate with audiences worldwide, earning numerous awards and accolades. Her contributions to children's literature have solidified her status as one of America's most respected and beloved authors. Today, she continues to write from her home in College Station, Texas, weaving tales that captivate readers of all ages.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Stories have to do with the heart."

This quote by Kathi Appelt suggests that stories are not just narratives, but they deeply connect with our emotions and feelings, residing in our hearts. They transcend facts and logic, evoking empathy, compassion, and a myriad of other human sentiments. Stories can inspire us, teach us about ourselves and the world, and forge connections between people. Essentially, stories are not merely informative, but they touch our humanity, making them an essential part of our existence.


"Every creature has a story and deserves respect."

Kathi Appelt's quote, "Every creature has a story and deserves respect," underscores the importance of empathy and understanding for all living beings. It suggests that each animal, regardless of its size or perceived significance to humans, has its unique journey and experiences, and this inherent narrative is deserving of our utmost respect. This perspective encourages compassionate coexistence with nature, recognizing the interconnectedness between all life forms on Earth.


"The moon's silver light seeped in, whispering secrets, telling stories."

This quote by Kathi Appelt suggests that the moon's silvery glow carries secret knowledge and tells captivating tales, as if it were a storyteller sharing its wisdom or experiences with those who are open to receiving them. It emphasizes the enchanting, mysterious, and intimate connection between the moon and nature, reminding us of the magic that can be found in the quiet, nocturnal world.


"There is no such thing as ordinary when it comes to animals."

Kathi Appelt's quote emphasizes that every animal, regardless of species or perceived commonness, possesses unique qualities and characteristics that set them apart from one another. It reminds us to appreciate the distinct individuality that each creature carries and encourages empathy towards their diverse experiences and stories. In essence, it invites us to see beyond the ordinary and recognize the extraordinary in every animal we encounter.


"Kindness changes everything."

The quote "Kindness changes everything" by Kathi Appelt underscores the transformative power of kindness. It emphasizes that an act of compassion or consideration, whether small or large, can fundamentally alter situations, relationships, and even personal perspectives. Kindness has the potential to heal wounds, build bridges, foster empathy, and create a more harmonious world. In essence, it highlights how acts of kindness have the capacity to bring about profound positive change in our lives and those around us.


An entire nation, it seemed, was standing in one long breadline, desperate for even the barest essentials. It was a crisis of monumental proportions. It was known as the Great Depression.

- Kathi Appelt

Crisis, Nation, Desperate, Seemed

One afternoon, I was playing this new video game, 'Blood and Guts.' I was controlling Gruesome Gus versus the Crimson Menace, and I had totally waxed the guy. It was this really complex sequence of moves, and I was so excited about conquering the game that I wanted to show it to someone. Unfortunately, the only one home at the time was Mom.

- Kathi Appelt

Game, Show, About, Gruesome

Many of the original New Deal programs required heavy manual labor. WPA workers built hundreds of schools, health clinics, roads, park facilities, and community centers. Much of what we now call our 'infrastructure' - highways, buildings, power plants, etc. - is here thanks to thousands of WPA workers.

- Kathi Appelt

Here, Deal, Clinics, Park

On the craft level, writing for children is not so different from writing for adults. You still have to have a story that moves forward. You still have to have the tools of the trade down. The difference arises in the knowledge of who you're writing for. This isn't necessary true of writing for adults.

- Kathi Appelt

Level, Necessary, Still, Arises

My favorite was the one about 'Snow White'. Those funky little guys with the beards. The poisonous apple. And that cool mirror the evil stepmother used to talk to. You know, she'd ask it all these questions: Who's the nicest? Who's the sweetest... Who's the fairest of them all? And for a while, everything was hunky-dory.

- Kathi Appelt

Mirror, Questions, About, Snow White

I had tried writing novels for many years, and they always escaped me. For a long time, I thought, 'It's just not in me to write a novel. It's not something I'm able to do.' It seemed like everything I wrote naturally ended at the bottom of page three. A picture book, three pages; an essay, three pages.

- Kathi Appelt

Book, Thought, Had, Essay

At any given time, all of us have an empty spot: one that is calling for companionship, for example, or for justice, love, romance, or a belly laugh. When I sit down to write, I look to see what hole needs filling at that particular moment.

- Kathi Appelt

Love, Romance, Belly, Any Given Time

They were the darkest of times, the years following the crash of the stock market in 1929. Thousands of people across the United States were cast out of their Jobs, off their farms, out of their homes and apartments, and into the crushing depths of poverty.

- Kathi Appelt

United, Years, Crushing, Depths

President Franklin D. Roosevelt had to find a way to help the American people. In 1933, he created a relief program known as the New Deal. Two years later, he expanded the New Deal by adding the Works Progress Administration, which was renamed the Work Projects Administration in 1939.

- Kathi Appelt

Deal, Projects, Works, Relief

Flat or uninteresting writing often signals something deeper that is being covered up.

- Kathi Appelt

Writing, Signals, Flat, Uninteresting

I'm fully conscious of the fact that I wouldn't be the writer that I am without this place, without Vermont College.

- Kathi Appelt

College, Fact, Am, Fully

Obsidian was caused by volcanoes, an eruption of steam and gas so furious that it melted the earth itself into this hard, shiny object.

- Kathi Appelt

Earth, Caused, Itself, Steam

The moments that I feel the most imbued with a sense of awe are always the moments when I am outdoors. I can't help but feel a certain sense of wonder - I become almost filled with it.

- Kathi Appelt

Feel, Always, Almost, Outdoors

I have always been interested in abandoned cars. I can't tell you how many times I've been in a car, driving, and there's a car sitting in a pasture, totally abandoned. Or on the edge of a creek or something. I always wonder: why did somebody park it in the pasture and leave?

- Kathi Appelt

Why, Tell, Been, Creek

Telling stories and having them received is so important. That dialogue is everything. I tell my students all the time that what separates us as human beings is our ability to hold stories. Our narrative history. There is so much power in that. Storytelling is our human industry.

- Kathi Appelt

Storytelling, Tell, Telling, Separates

We underestimate children and the people who work with them. I swear - so often, I tell people I am a children's author, and it's like they want to pat me on the head: 'Aw, isn't that sweet.'

- Kathi Appelt

Work, Like, Pat, Swear

There is nothing lonelier than a cat who has been loved, at least for a while, and then abandoned on the side of the road.

- Kathi Appelt

Nothing, Been, Side, Lonelier

Magic happens, see. It's just like on those bumper stickers, the ones that say, 'Miracles Happen', or 'Jesus Happens'. I never really took those too seriously. I mean, they're bumper stickers. Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking. Miracles? Right. Jesus? Maybe. But magic?

- Kathi Appelt

Magic, Maybe, Yeah, Miracles

For cats, a hound is a natural enemy. This is the order of things.

- Kathi Appelt

Cats, Natural, Things, Hound

I always wanted to write a raccoon story. I don't know why. It's not like I want to own a raccoon or anything like that. I'm just fascinated by them.

- Kathi Appelt

Want, Always, Like, Fascinated

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