Personal Experiences:
* Her own childhood: Growing up in a rural town in Oregon, Cleary drew heavily on her own experiences, particularly the challenges of being an independent, bookish girl in a small community. This is reflected in her characters like Ramona Quimby, Henry Huggins, and Beezus Quimby, who all grapple with similar struggles.
* Her role as a librarian: After graduating from college, Cleary worked as a librarian, which gave her a deep understanding of children's literature and the needs of young readers. This informed her writing style and helped her create engaging and relatable characters.
Literary Influences:
* Louisa May Alcott: Cleary admired Alcott's classic *Little Women*, particularly the portrayal of strong, independent female characters. This is evident in her own writing, which champions female empowerment and realistic depictions of girls navigating life.
* Mark Twain: Cleary was drawn to Twain's humor and his ability to create memorable characters with distinct voices. This influence is seen in her own witty writing style and the humorous situations her characters find themselves in.
* Other authors: Cleary was also inspired by authors like Astrid Lindgren, who wrote *Pippi Longstocking*, and E.B. White, who wrote *Charlotte's Web*. These writers, like her, created characters that were imaginative, relatable, and full of life.
Ultimately, Beverly Cleary's writing was a beautiful blend of personal experiences, professional observations, and literary inspiration, making her books classics that continue to resonate with generations of readers.