TO LEON 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 grownup 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 this 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: +tr3MdiuH5gIGDsCBwfNquS9mrxwJK6xNWqWet483YuwkTf4naIeOJkqR5d1O+Ka