TO LÉON 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:

When he was a little boy.