conversation via book

I've posted quite a few of my letters home, but I always admired the example of Hugh Lofting whose letters to his children from the war formed the beginning of his Dr. Dolittle books. So recently, after a couple false starts I sent home the story of Jack Crow and his friend Sara, hand-written, folded and stapled to form a small book. At the end I wrote that if it was liked, I would continue the story.

Over Thanksgiving weekend, both kids presented me with books of their own making! Here are scans of the covers, Daughter's:



and Son's:



At the end of hers, Daughter wrote "continued if you like it"!, so I'm very encouraged. This week I wrote the second Jack Crow adventure, adding illustrations this time because Daughter's effort convinced me of their importance, and you can read the whole thing (pdf):



Of course I wouldn't put myself in the same league with the great children's authors but maybe in some small way I've contributed to the storytelling tradition ....

some more "letters home"

Here's one from a few months back, when we were to meet on the weekend in Canyonville in southern Oregon. Simple mirror writing, and I don't think they even needed a mirror to read it ...



A word-find --- these seem to be the most popular:



This one took a bit longer. Those are thin strips of green paper, woven into a larger sheet of yellow with slits cut into it. I've lined up the first three numbers of my phone so you can see that the letter starts with "DEAR S". The recipient would have to know my cell phone number to read the letter!