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.