Words," He Said, "is Oh Such A

She Might Even Be Your Lovely School-teacher Who Is Reading These Words To You At This Very Moment. Look Carefully At That Teacher. Perhaps She Is Smiling At The Absurdity Of Such A Suggestion. Don't Let That Put You Off. It Could Be Part Of Cleverness. I Am Not, Of Course, Telling You For One Second That Your Teacher Actually Is A Witch. All I Am Saying Is That She Might Be One. It Is Most Unlikely. But--here Comes The Big "but"--not Impossible.

My Father Was A Norwegian Who Came From A Small Town Near Oslo. He Broke His Arm At The Elbow When He Was 14, And They Amputated It.

I Have A Passion For Teaching Kids To Become Readers, To Become Comfortable With A Book, Not Daunted. Books Shouldn't Be Daunting, They Should Be Funny, Exciting And Wonderful; And Learning To Be A Reader Gives A Terrific Advantage.

Both Matilda And Lavender Were Enthralled. It Was Quite Clear To Them That They Were At This Moment Standing In The Presence Of A Master. Here Was Somebody Who Had Brought The Art Of Skulduggery To The Highest Point Of Perfection, Somebody, Moreover, Who Was Willing To Risk Life And Limb In Pursuit Of Her Calling. They Gazed In Wonder At This Goddess, And Suddenly Even The Boil On Her Nose Was No Longer A Blemish But A Badge Of Courage.

Writing Is Mainly Perspiration, Not Inspiration.