By all means continue destroying my possessions. I daresay I have too many.
J. K. RowlingRead
Children's books aren't textbooks. Their primary purpose isn't supposed to be "Pick this up and it will teach you this." It's not how literature should be. You probably do learn something from every book you pick up, but it might be simply how to laugh.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Children's books aim to entertain and inspire rather than strictly educate.
J.K. Rowling emphasizes that the primary goal of children's literature is not merely to impart knowledge or lessons, but to engage young readers through enjoyment and creativity. While such books can teach valuable life lessons indirectly, their foremost purpose is to spark imagination and joy, reflecting the idea that learning often occurs through playful experiences and emotional connections rather than formal instruction.
Themes
Children'S LiteratureEducationImaginationJoyReadingCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
A teacher might use this quote to encourage parents to read for enjoyment with their kids instead of just for homework.
More from J. K. Rowling
All quotes →Where are you heading, if you’ve got the choice?” James lifted an invisible sword. “‘Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart!’ Like my dad.” Snape made a small, disparaging noise. James turned on him. “Got a problem with that?” “No,” said Snape, though his slight sneer said otherwise. “If you’d rather be brawny than brainy —” “Where’re you hoping to go, seeing as you’re neither?” interjected Sirius.
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Depression isn't just being a bit sad. It's feeling nothing. It's not wanting to be alive anymore.
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I tell you, that dragon's the most horrible animal I've ever met, but the way Hagrid goes on about it, you'd think it was a fluffy little bunny rabbit.
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Imagine losing fingernails, Harry! That really puts our sufferings into perspective, doesn't it?
J. K. RowlingRead
The consequences of our actions are always so complicated, so diverse, that predicting the future is a very difficult business indeed.
J. K. RowlingRead
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