Here is another letter from a dad. This went to Kathleen first, who forwarded it to me with the subject headline: “Prepare for cuteness!” Even with that warning, I was not prepared…

Kathleen,

Enclosed you will find the pictures of the hat. Tressley worked really hard designing it, and helping to create the mice, clothes, lettering, and barn. She read Little Mouse Gets Ready to her first grade class while wearing it, and the whole class fell in love with Little Mouse, just like she did.

My daughter has been awe-struck by the proposition of Mr. Smith seeing her hat. When it came time to figure out what she wanted to say, she acted as if she was actually about to meet him, extremely shy. However, she did finally convey to me what she wanted to say, and I have typed her message exactly how she presented it.

Dear Mr. Smith:

My name is Tressely. I love to draw. I think you are a great artist. I love the ending of Little Mouse Gets Ready, because it was like, POOF! No clothes. I really like how you drew the book. The mice are cute. I think the BONE books are funny too, especially the snow that goes WHUMP! and just falls out of the sky. My daddy has a shirt like Phoney Bone. Me and my twin brother hit it and act like we are invincible like when the Mario Bros. get invincible because of stars.

Sincerely,

Tressley Chapman

Thanks again for the honor of letting Tressley convey her love of Mr. Smith’s books. She does love to draw, and his books really inspire her. Well, all of us.

Respectfully,

Richard Chapman.

The honor is mine. Tressley, you are a smart and talented kid. Nice job! Thank you for sharing.