Something wonderful happened while we were in Alaska, but we didn’t know about it until a week after we got home.
While we were gone, we got a lot of mail. I wish that I had taken a picture of the box of letters, bills, and catalogs that was waiting for us when we got home, but it was full to overflowing. It was so full and so intimidating that we lacked the fortitude to go through it. For about a week.
But then we decided that if we didn’t go through the mail and deal with the bills, someone might turn off our electricity. And we do so love our electricity. We started sorting with dread. But in the middle of all the bills was a genuine treasure.
There was a letter from a boy named Paawan. The cover looked like this. Those of you who have read our book Archipelago might recognize these green shapes as Hawaii and New Zealand (both of which are archipelagos; but you already knew that).
The inside contained an extremely nice note from Paawan.
To say our hearts were warmed would be a horrible understatement. A compliment from Paawan is the greatest thing we could hope for because Paawan is a kid and kids are SO MUCH SMARTER than adults. And much more reliable critics.
We are so glad that you want to write a book Paawan. The nice thing is, a book can be about anything: an otter named Dan, a group of ballerinas with broken arms, or your left kneecap. Think of something (or someone) in your life that you find interesting and then tell the world what happens to that person or thing. That’s all a story is. And as long as you like it, then it’s a great book. Period.
When you’re done, please send it to us. The only thing we’d like more than getting this card from you is getting to see the book that you make.
Paawan even decorated the back of the card.
I’m not sure who (and what?) is pictured there. Is it Paawan and a robot? Is it an alien named Jerome and an alien named Levander? Is it the very first picture in Paawan’s book?
I want to know. Paawan, please tell us.