By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many.
J. K. RowlingRead
I have met thousands of children now, and not even one time has a child come up to me and said, 'Ms. Rowling, I'm so glad I've read these books because now I want to be a witch.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
Children often engage with literature for imagination rather than a desire for real-life outcomes.
J.K. Rowling's quote emphasizes the idea that children approach stories from a perspective of imagination and wonder, rather than taking them literally or aspiring to live out the magical lives portrayed in literature. This suggests that the impact of reading is more about inspiring creativity and exploration than simply wishing to emulate characters or situations.
Themes
ChildrenLiteratureImaginationReadingFantasy
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of reading in schools.
More from J. K. Rowling
All quotes →Where are you heading, if you’ve got the choice?” James lifted an invisible sword. “‘Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart!’ Like my dad.” Snape made a small, disparaging noise. James turned on him. “Got a problem with that?” “No,” said Snape, though his slight sneer said otherwise. “If you’d rather be brawny than brainy —” “Where’re you hoping to go, seeing as you’re neither?” interjected Sirius.
J. K. RowlingRead
Depression isn't just being a bit sad. It's feeling nothing. It's not wanting to be alive anymore.
J. K. RowlingRead
I tell you, that dragon's the most horrible animal I've ever met, but the way Hagrid goes on about it, you'd think it was a fluffy little bunny rabbit.
J. K. RowlingRead
Imagine losing fingernails, Harry! That really puts our sufferings into perspective, doesn't it?
J. K. RowlingRead
The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed.
J. K. RowlingRead
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