[To beginning readers (ages 4 to 8) at a reading of 'Noelle's Treasure Tale']: If you discover a word in my book that you don't understand, ask your parents so they can look it up in the dictionary for you.

'Noelle's Treasure Tale' is based on the historical fact that three Spanish galleons full of treasure sunk off Florida's treasure coast and have never been rec…

I thought it would be lovely to use [pet bulldog] Noelle as an example to teach the importance of being who you are. For me it's important to inspire children …

When [my mother] saw we were not going to be able to go back [to Cuba] it became increasingly important for her to make our culture very prevalent and very imp…

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.

'Keep reading books, stay in school. I encourage kids to read as much as they can; I challenge you to read a book every two weeks, like I try to.'

The more you read and the more you teach yourself, the less you rely on something like drugs to take you to a better place.