FOR LENNY LEE! |
Have you ever had one of those friends who always makes you smile? Well, I do. I think most of you know him. He just had a birthday. He's got a huge heart and can write like no kid his age I've ever met!
LENNY LEE! |
The Nightshade Knight, by Lenny Lee |
That's right, our very own Lenny Lee! I know lots of you sent Lenny cards and gifts for his birthday and wished him well on his blog, but did you know Lenny sent a birthday present to me??? You see, it was my birthday a few days after his and Lenny remembered it. Not only did he send me the coolest writer's care package a writer could ever get, but he also sent me a book....and not just any book, a book HE wrote--for ME!!
I was so honored, touched, and surprised by such a thoughtful and priceless gift. It's about a sweet Jamaican rat named Bart who goes in search of Nightshade City. He wants to help rid the Nightshade Rats of Billycan. After a long journey he ends up finding me! I'm in the book! Bart comes to Chicago and ends up getting trapped in my house with my dog growling at him. I rescue him and help get him back home, but also promise Bart, that he may end up in my next book! :) Well, that's not a bad idea!
I was floored by this story. It really captured my interest from page one and not because it was about my book--but because it was just that good! Bart is a character you care about right away and Lenny's descriptions were perfect--not too much, not too little--just right. :)
Click her to read an excerpt from Lenny's book! |
Thanks to the lovely Sharon Mayhew and Lenny's brother, Sebastian, who helped him with the story and editing! |
Rats and Reese's from Lenny! |
So, after all that book goodness, Lenny ended up sending me a whole box of writer's treats!! He sent me a bag of Lindt chocolate truffles, my absolute favorite chocolate in the whole world, and yes, they're all gone!! He sent me a bag of yummy trail mix and a huge bag of Reese's goodies too. He also sent me an adorable rat mug and matching pin and lots of lovely notes!! :) I haven't got a gift that made me cry in a long time, but Lenny had me all weepy with thanks and surprise!
Of note: Lenny told me his book was going to be a picture book, but ended up turning into a sixty page novel. That's how Nightshade City started too--as a picture book! Must be an October birthday thing! ;) I have NO doubt after reading this that Lenny is going to be a star writer one day. I mean that with all my heart!
Lenny, thank you so very, very much...you are ONE GOOD RAT!
Big Hugs -- Hilary
That is so sweet!! :) Lenny is one of a kind.
ReplyDeleteLove it Hilary! It's really nice when someone completely bowls you over with love. :)
ReplyDeleteOh man, you're not supposed to make us cry this early in the morning. At least they're tears of joy! What a cool kid.
ReplyDeleteAwww! That's just the absolute sweetest thing ever!
ReplyDeleteWhat a stud!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, what a sweetheart. The excerpt was so well written! Go Lenny!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe a kid wrote this. WOW! :)
ReplyDeleteI KNEW you were going to love it! He did an outstanding job and OMGoodness that mug is adorable!
ReplyDeleteGood Lord I love this kid.
ReplyDeleteHe is a most precious, most wonderful, most awesome kid. I love him so much! Cool mug.
ReplyDeleteWow!! Lenny is the sweetest kid ever -- and his gift to you is uber-fantastic. So much thought went into it! What a love!! And happy belated birthday, Hilary!
ReplyDeletehi miss hilary! wowee! you did a whole post on the stuff i sent for you. big THANKS! im just soooo happy you like the story i wrote for you. :) im sooo lucky for you being my friend.
ReplyDelete...hugs from lenny
Lenny, you are the best!! Big Hugs to you and everyone who commented! I had a big presentation over the weekend, so I've been a little lax on my blogging. Luckily, it went great! I read the kids a little of YOUR book too! They loved it and couldn't believe a kid their age wrote it!
ReplyDeleteGo Lenny!
Hilary
Lenny is a wonderful person! Everyone who knows him is truly blessed. What a cool package of goodies!
ReplyDelete