Thursday, November 10, 2011

LENNY LEE'S SURPRISE FOR ME!

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

14 comments:

  1. That is so sweet!! :) Lenny is one of a kind.

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  2. Love it Hilary! It's really nice when someone completely bowls you over with love. :)

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  3. Oh 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.

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  4. Awww! That's just the absolute sweetest thing ever!

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  5. Marlene Brooks11/10/2011

    Oh my gosh, what a sweetheart. The excerpt was so well written! Go Lenny!

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  6. Anonymous11/10/2011

    I can't believe a kid wrote this. WOW! :)

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  7. I KNEW you were going to love it! He did an outstanding job and OMGoodness that mug is adorable!

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  8. Good Lord I love this kid.

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  9. He is a most precious, most wonderful, most awesome kid. I love him so much! Cool mug.

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  10. Wow!! 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!

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  11. hi 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.
    ...hugs from lenny

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  12. 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!

    Go Lenny!

    Hilary

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  13. Anonymous11/16/2011

    Lenny is a wonderful person! Everyone who knows him is truly blessed. What a cool package of goodies!

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