Best-selling Canadian Children's Author
Dear Frank,
How old am I?? Well, I can tell you this for sure. I’m old enough to cut my own meat. I own scissors that don’t have the pointy ends rounded off. And I can tie my own shoes – the ones with laces, not the cheater velcro ones.
Happy reading,
Jessica
Dear Jadyn,
I like your idea of keeping something precious that your grandmother gave you and saving it for your own children. You can keep her stories like that, too, although stories sometimes change over time, from one story-teller to another. That’s what makes them living, breathing things.
Next time you see me, I’d be happy to give you my autograph.
Happy reading,
Jessica
Dear CJ,
That’s a cool little pocket knife. A while back, we gave my son his granddad’s pocket knife. It had a leather handle but the blade was rusty, just like yours. Our son polished it up and it looks as good as new.
Do you whittle things with your pocket knife or do you keep it on hand in case you get tangled up in rope or something? We keep a sharp knife on hand when we are on our boat, just for safety, in case we have to quickly cut a line.
I hope you are enjoying your summer.
Keep safe and happy reading,
Jessica
Dear Willy,
How nice that your brother gave you this beautiful truck. I especially like the orange flames painted on the sides and the detailed hubcaps. Very racy! One of my characters, Martin Bridge, is a big fan of flames and he once suggested that his friend Alex paint them on a model rocket that he made. Alex did a great job and it looked beautiful. Unfortunately, the launch of that rocket did not go as planned.
If you do bury your time capsule next to your house, be sure to mark where it is. It is so easy to forget secret burial spots, and I wouldn’t want to you misplace your truck!
Happy reading,
Jessica
Dear Jackson,
Thank you for writing to me. I do hope you are able to save enough money for the game you want to buy, and I’m so glad you are enjoying Martin Bridge.
I love this wrestler you’ve drawn. Very scary. He looks just like me when I get cold from being outside too long and I’m not wearing enough warm clothing. I mention this because I was working on my son’s boat tonight, painting on its new name. Even though it is May, the evening turned out to be very cold, bitterly cold, unbearably cold and the paint got all goopy. I wanted to scream in frustration.
I guess I’ll have to wait for warmer weather to finish the job.
Happy reading,
Jessica
Dear Aidan,
I did like visiting your school. I had a great time. It was very nice to be invited.
You’ve included some unusual details in your forest scene. Let’s see. There is a kite caught in a tree. There is an almost camoflaged tree fort. There are turtles burrowing deep beneath the forest floor. Someone is fishing off of the new moon. A storm is a-brewing. Someone appears to be watering the trees. Or, torching them. Not sure. And who is looking out the window??
I think this would make a marvelous opening scene for your next story.
Happy reading,
Jessica