Great Book Dedications Part Deux

To Léon Werth

I ask the indulgence of the children who may read this book for dedicating it to a grown-up.

I have a serious reason: he is the best friend I have in the world.

I have another reason: this grown-up understands everything, even books about children.

I have a third reason: he lives in France where he is hungry and cold. He needs cheering up.

If all these reasons are not enough,

I will dedicate the book to the child from whom this grown-up grew.

All grown-ups were once children--

although few of them remember it.

And so I correct my dedication:

To Léon Werth when he was a little boy