Tony DiTerlizzi

“Now, as Global Ambassador for Starlight Children's Foundation, which brightens the lives of poorly children, I visit hospitals and tell stories to the young patients. Sometimes I read. Sometimes I draw.”

“My fifth grade teacher Mr. Straussberger noticed I was having trouble with some of my book reports, but he knew I loved to draw. He gave me extra credit if I did a drawing from the book that I was reading.”

“If you like my renditions of faerie-folk, then you will most certainly like Brian Froud's work.”

“I loved stories as a kid, both being read to me and enjoying on my own. All these stories inspired my imagination, and that's what I have always aimed at doing for my readers: ignite their imaginations.”

“'The Wizard of Oz' and 'Alice in Wonderland' inspired me. I wanted to take those themes and try to bring it into a more 21st story with aliens.”

“I was a tremendous fan of the original Kenneth Grahame short story, 'The Reluctant Dragon.'”

“I never want to dumb it down. If there's any simplification, it's just a simplification to make sure that the reader understands the point that the character is trying to make.”

“I can't remember a time when I wasn't inspired by 'Star Wars.'”

“I love books, and I love to read, and I had ideas for books that I thought would be neat to read.”

“Strength is not just in muscle and bone," Rovender said"That is right," Soth added. "Emotional strength is more powerful.”

“With the success of 'Spiderwick,' it's allowed me to be able to have the freedom to really be able to tell the stories that I really wanted to tell, that I've always wanted to tell.”

“In some ways, you kind of take a personality and drop it on the ground, and it breaks into a bunch of little pieces, and you kind of water those pieces, and it grows into characters. So they're all me in a way.”

“There are many challenges I face while working on a book. Working within deadlines and schedules is certainly one of the bigger ones for me. I want to create the best possible book I can for my readers with words and pictures - and that takes time to get it just right.”

“I love making books for children. Big kids, little kids, old kids and new.”

“I think, in real life, when we're facing death - that is, when we come out on the other side of it, whether it's death of a friend or a family member - you come out on the other side of the mourning cherishing your life that much more.”

“So, Eva Nine, you must sometimes disregard what someone is saying and focus instead on what they are doing. Watch and observe. That is when one reveals his true self.”

“I obsess over things... especially my book projects. It can be very time consuming.”

“Your home is where your family is... Where someone waits for you and thinks about you.”

“I feel very proud in what we've created in the 'Spiderwick' stories. And, frankly, I am glad we are ending the series on a high-note.”

“The exciting thing about doing art for someone else's story is how I can translate their world through pictures, and that's always a pretty big challenge.”