“You know you can be as sweet as you want, or as tough as you want, or both at the same time.”

“I want to make you laugh or cry when you read a story . . .or do both at the same time. I want your heart, in other words. If you want to learn something, go to school.”

“You cannot be the person they know and the great, glorious person you want to become. Not at the same time.”

“I know you look both ways before you cross the street, but I want you to look both ways a second time, because I told you to.”

“I'm somewhere in the middle. I want both. Or I want it all. Or I only want part of both. I don't know. I just know that you don't always end up happy with what you thought would make you happy. You've probably been there a time or two yourself. You can't always get what you want.”

“For me, that emotional payoff is what it’s all about. I want you to laugh or cry when you read a story...or do both at the same time. I want your heart, in other words. If you want to learn something, go to school.”