Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I have been a fan of your books for years. I have been eagerly waiting for my sons to finally be old enough to experience them. I have yearned to share with them my affection for Henrietta, the benefits of avocados, traveling in time and space and why I cherish my stone turtle.
In November, my husband and I read The Neddiad aloud to my 8 and 10 year old boys. About half way through the book, my 8 year old announced that his greatest dream in the world is to ride across the country in a train like Neddie. Today, we boarded The California Zephyr in Northern California headed for Chicago where we will see the sights, including the Art Institute. Then, we will board the Southwest Chief headed to Los Angeles. We all call it the Super Chief even though Amtrak changed the name. We get off the train in Flagstaff, Arizona for a side trip to the Grand Canyon and end our trip when we fly home from Los Angeles.
The boys have all already taken the jobs of looking out the windows, tasted their first ginger ale (they don’t have 7-up) and feeling the spirit of adventure. They are on the look out for Billy the phantom bellboy and have asked if we can get doughnuts in Los Angeles. I want to thank you for your wonderful stories with characters that we think of as good friends that my boys quote regularly.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Smith
Wow! I do not deserve readers like you! What I deserve is readers who will take me along on that great trip. You will have a wonderful time, and I will be with you in spirit. Check in here, please, with your impressions and experiences.
