Literary Birthday – 27 March – Dick King-Smith

Dick King-Smith was born 27 March 1922 and died 4 January 2011.

Quotes

1. A little of what you like does you good. But you can have too much of a good thing.
2. Many times I’ve looked into a pig’s eye and convinced myself that inside that brain is a sentient being, who is looking back at me observing him wondering what he’s thinking about.
3. I write (mainly) about animals because I’ve always kept them, I’m interested in them, I know a bit about them, and I know that children like them. Anyway, it’s such fun putting words into their mouths.
4. I taught kids of 5 to 11 – useful in school stories, as one knows what goes on in a primary school.
5. A typical day. Sit down in my very small study in my very old (from 1635) cottage; scribble in longhand in the morning; in the afternoon, type out the morning’s work (on an old portable typewriter, with one finger); evening, read day’s work to my wife, seeking her approval.
6. I get the germ of an idea, sit down, and knock something out, hoping it will evolve into a story.

Dick King-Smith was an English writer of children’s books. He is best known for The Sheep Pig, or Babe the Gallant Pig in the US. It was adapted for film as Babe. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours.

Source for image and source for quotes 3-6

 by Amanda Patterson

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