Top 59 Quotes by Chris Van Allsburg

I'm not surprised that my books appeal to adults.

'The Polar Express' began with the idea of a train standing alone in the woods. I asked myself, 'What if a boy gets on that train? Where does he go?'

Your house is all about routine, not the unexpected events of your life.

As long as I can remember, I've always loved to draw. But my interest in drawing wasn't encouraged very much.

The Dick, Jane, and Spot primers have gone to that bookshelf in the sky. I have, in some ways, a tender feeling toward them, so I think it's for the best.

Peter Rabbit's not a rabbit. Peter Rabbit is a proxy for the child who reads the book, and they imagine themselves in the rabbit's position.

At first, I see pictures of a story in my mind. Then creating the story comes from asking questions of myself. I guess you might call it the 'what if - what then' approach to writing and illustration.

Growing up in the 1950s, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, boys were supposed to be athletic.

I'm not a perfectionist. I'm just very observant.

I think parents generally know what's best for their children. But I suppose it's possible to be overprotective.