From our talented readers.

Dear Blake,

I loved the story about playing in the mud from a few issues ago. It was so cool! I live in France right now, but I am moving back to Illinois soon. Could you tell me if there is a place to play in the mud in Illinois?

Merci! (That's "thank you" in French.)

Charlotte W.

France

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Bonjour, Charlotte!

Jack and I had tons of fun getting messy for that story, so we're glad you enjoyed it, too. I don't know if there's a place to play in the mud in Illinois, but Wayne County, Michigan, (where they hold Mud Day each year) isn't too far from you. Maybe you can go and become this year's Queen Mud!

Blake

Hi, Ricky!

I'm Jody. I want to know if you were named after something. I like your hairstyle and I also like your name. Do you have a brother or sister? I have two sisters and no brothers. Will you be like a cousin to me--or at least a friend?

Jody G.

Mississippi

Hello, Jody,

I'd be honored to be your friend AND your unofficial cousin. Thanks for saying you like my hairstyle, by the way. Sometimes I think it's too messy. As for my name, I was named after my great uncle Ricardo who was a photographer. Maybe that's why I like taking pictures!

Your "cuz," Ricky

Hey, Blake,

Thank you for working on Jack and Jill and for encouraging kids like me. I appreciate that your magazine gives kids the chance to express their creativity. Normally I don't write, but when I heard that I might have a chance to show my writing in a great magazine like yours, I was excited. I'm only 12, so it would be an honor to see my poem and name in your magazine.

YOUNG SAILOR

   There was a young man who sailed the seas.
   He loved the water and ocean breeze.
   He was fit and lean
   With eyesight so keen.
   He sailed on a ship made of redwood trees.

Christian S., 12

Utah

Hi, Christian,

What a fun poem! The sailor's ship must have been really big if it was built from redwood trees because those are the largest and tallest trees in the world. Some of them even live for thousands of years. That's tree-mendous!

Blake

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Dear Cleo,

I love your hair so much I drew a picture of you. Here it is!

Abby R.

Wisconsin

Dear Abby,

I am going to hang your drawing of me on my wall so I can see it every day! It'll be more fun than looking in the mirror. :)

Love, Cleo

Dear Jill,

I hope you like my crayon art! It was a really fun craft, and I love doing crafts. Please keep putting crafts in the magazine. I hope you put my picture in the magazine!

Mary F., 11

Connecticut

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Hi, Mary,

All I can say is "Wow!" You did a great job with your crayon art. Beautiful use of colors. And I bet it feels neat to touch, too!

Jill

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Here's another work of art from one of our readers, Dawson B. in Ohio. He drew a Viking falling through the sky past the Space Shuttle. Talk about creative!

Jill