FORWORD

     
     
     
     
     
      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 grown-up 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 the 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:
     
      to leon werth
     
      when he was a little boy