Hi, Kids:

Well, when I first started this newsletter we were in what is called the Dog Days of Summer. Depending on where you are, maybe it's still hot and steamy

and it's easier to lie around with your tongue hanging out, than to get up much energy to run around. But as usual I'm late with my "homework" so here in New England the fall is already beginning. Even though the days are hot, the maple trees are turning and the night air is cool.

My new character, Fred, is a basset hound with attitude, the one who knows better than his owner, Harvey, how best to win the local dog show. This book, DOG SHOW, is just out and available at bookstores. I think it will make you

laugh. Our local library just ran a Dog Show Look Alike Contest to honor the book. 24 owners brought in their dogs and I took the pictures. It was hysterical, especially when the dogs started to tangle up with each other. The winners will get a signed book from me. And believe me, lots of people really do look like their dogs! Be sure to visit the Henry Holt website (www.henryholtchildrensbooks.com) where they're running their own dog show look alike contest.

For those of you who've been agitating for a new CASTLE book, please give me a little more time. But while you're waiting, be sure to read my latest fantasy novel, THE RED-HOT RATTOONS. This is what I call my good rat book. Remember that bad set of rats in THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE? Well, this is my tale (excuse the pun) written to redeem the species, Rattus Rattus. My five characters, Benny, Fletcher, Ella, Woody and Monk dream of dancing on the biggest stage in the world. But first they have to dodge snarling dogs and angry humans and strange soldiers from their own underworld, Rat Hollow. Please read it and let me know what you think on my guestbook!

And by the way, in the book, Fletcher, the art-loving rat, couldn't find one picture or statue of a rat in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He was furious. After they read the book, a fourth grade class in New York decided to go looking for themselves and found not one but two rats! If any of you get to New York City, make sure you include a visit to the museum to find the two rats Fletcher missed. I'll give you some hints. One rat is the size of a thumbnail and lives on one of the weapons in the Arms and Armor section. The other is in a painting by an artist whose last name begins with the letter B. If you find either one, post a notice on my guestbook to let me know.

Now that you are all back in school, I hope the beginning days go well. Be sure to write me at winthrop@absolute-sway.com if you have news for me.

Have a wonderful fall....

Elizabeth Winthrop