I hope children will be happy with the books I've written, and go on to be readers all of their lives.
I didn't start out writing to give children hope, but I'm glad some of them found it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Beverly Cleary expresses gratitude that her writing has inspired hope in children, even if that was not her initial intention.
In this quote, Beverly Cleary reflects on her writing journey and acknowledges the unexpected positive impact her work has had on children. While her primary goal was not to instill hope, she feels a sense of fulfillment knowing that her stories have resonated with young readers and provided them with encouragement and optimism. This emphasizes the power of literature to uplift and inspire, sometimes in ways the author may not fully realize.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech at a literacy event, an author might share this quote to emphasize the importance of writing for young audiences.
More from Beverly Cleary
All quotes βI don't think children themselves have changed that much. It's the world that has changed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Similar quotes
Let us each of us now embrace with solemn duty, and awesome joy, what is our lasting birthright. With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history and carry into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom.
The fact that I made it to where I made it, when I look at where I came, I think is a message to the world and it's also a message to other young people who come from diverse and underprivileged backgrounds, that where they come from does not necessarily have to define where they are going.
I always wanted to know, and I always used to daydream, about what it would be like to stand on a really big stage and sing songs for a lot of people, songs that I had written... Daydreaming was kind of my No. 1 thing when I was little, because I didn't have much of a social life going on.
If youβre going through a dark time... donβt ever give up. You can always make your way back to the other end of that circle and find your happiness again.
There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination. Living there, you'll be free if you truly wish to be.
I've made my share of mistakes along the way, but if I have changed even one life for the better, I haven't lived in vain.