Letter writing

Last week for Survey of Children's Lit. I had to interview a child in any grade from K-8 about reading, then write a letter to that child suggesting books she might like to read based on the information I found out during the interview. I had a lot of fun with that assignment. I did a phone interview with my cousin's 6-year-old daughter, Kayla. Kayla is in grade one at a French immersion elementary school in Alberta. She LOVES to read, in both English and French. When I asked her to tell me three books that she thought I would like to read, one of them was a French book, "Dora va chez le médecin" (Dora goes to the doctor). I'm pretty sure Kayla would be able to read that book way better than I could, but I promised her that I'll go find it in the bookstore when I'm home for Christmas and read it.

This afternoon I decided that it's been quite a while since I've read any books for my read-100-kids-books assignment for Children's Lit. class, so I chose a book from my bookshelf that I bought at McKay's in September but hadn't opened yet. It's called "The End of the Beginning: Being the Adventures of a Small Snail (and an Even Smaller Ant)" by Avi and it's quite an interesting read so far. In a small way it reminds me of the "Frog and Toad" books I used to love as a kid, although the humour in this book is slightly more mature than the "Frog and Toad" books. Anyway I found one chapter, called "In Which Avon Does Some Writing," particularly amusing. It made me think of my struggle to write my fiction story. I feel poor Avon's pain in trying to write his letter. Sometimes it's just hard to write, especially when you're staring at a blank piece of paper. I like the chapter so much that I'm going to retype it all out here for you all to read if you wish. If not, then you may stop reading here.

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CHAPTER 12
It was late at night, and Edward was almost asleep, when Avon called across the dark.
"Do you realize," said Avon, "that in all the time we have been traveling, I have not written one letter. No, not even a postcard."
"You could start now," suggested Edward. "Is there someone you want to write to?"
"I'm afraid not," said Avon.
"Yes," agreed Edward, "writing a letter is easy enough. It's deciding whom to send it to that's the hard part. Have you any friends?"
"You."
"Why not write to me, then?"
"Would you mind?"
"I should say not. It's wonderful to hear from friends when they're traveling."
"I'll do it, then," said Avon. "Good night, Edward."
"Good night, Avon."
Taking out a pencil and paper, Avon wrote: Dear Edward. Then he thought for a long time about what to write next. Not getting on very well, he called out, "Edward?"
"Yes, Avon."
"What sort of thing do you like to hear about in letters?"
"Oh," said Edward, "something interesting, unusual. You know, I would just like to learn how you're getting on."
"Oh, fine. Good night, Edward."
"Good night, Avon."
Looking across the paper, Avon realized there wasn't much room to write all the things that were of interest to Edward.
"Edward!" he called.
"Yes, Avon."
"I don't have much room here. Of all the things you said you liked to read about, is there one in particular you would find most interesting?"
"Most of all," said Edward, "I'd like to know what you're doing."
"Oh, well," said Avon, "that's easy enough. Good night, Edward."
"Good night, Avon."
Avon wrote: I am writing you a letter. It took up just about all the paper.
"Edward?"
"Yes, Avon."
"In the letters you get, what kind of salutation do you like at the end?"
"Avon, a salutation comes at the beginning. What comes at the end is a closing."
"Thank you," said Avon. "At least it puts an end to my confusion. But, still, when I write the closing, do you like Yours truly, Sincerely yours, or Best regards?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Edward said, Yours sincerely."
"Why?"
"It's...sincere."
"Edward?"
"Yes, Avon."
"Would you mind very much listening to the letter so I could get your opinion of it?"
"Not at all."
Avon read the letter: "Dear Edward, I am writing you a letter. Yours sincerely, Avon."
"An excellent letter, Avon," said Edward. "It tells me everything you're doing."
"I'll mail it tomorrow morning," said Avon. "You should get it in a few days."
"Wonderful," said Edward. "There's nothing better than coming home from a long trip and finding a letter waiting for you. It brings you right up to date with your friends."
"Good night, Edward."
"Good night, Avon."