I loved Beverly Cleary’s books even more when we read them to our children than I did when I read them as a child. It’s because she has a unique ability to capture the way a child sees the world, filtered through the sympathetic understanding of an insightful adult who also happens to be an exceptional writer. I am especially fond of The Ramona Collection but love all of her books, even her autobiography, A Girl from Yamhill. The television series with Sarah Polley was quite good and I am hoping the upcoming movie will be, too.

Happy 94th birthday, Ms. Cleary!