I consider writing books for young readers a true privilege. That is because many of the books that I read as a young child made me the person I am today. I cannot remember a single book I have read since I turned 18 that has affected me as profoundly as the books like McElligot's Pool by Dr. Seuss or Ping (the duck) by Marjorie Flack and Kurt Wiese. Of course, I also read a lot of comics and watched a lot of cartoons as a child. I think the comics and classic cartoons have definitely influenced my writing; especially my humour work.

I have a confession to make. As a child and sometimes even as an adult, I have a hard time concentrating on reading. It is just the way my brain is wired. My teachers often gave me detentions for day-dreaming but I just couldn't help it if the things going on inside my head seemed more interesting that what was happening in the real world. Anyway, when I started writing children's books I promised myself that I would write for myself - that squirmy little guy with the short attention span. I promise not to bore my readers. Many of the letters I have received from my readers say they like the way my Hurricane Hazel story was both scary and funny. I hope to keep up that tone for my other books.