Ramona Quimby, Age 8 (novel)

Hello. I have a bright blue cover and lots of smooth, white pages inside. If you open me up, you will see little black words and fun, scribbly pictures. I am very quiet, but I can tell you so many wonderful stories. I am a book. My name is Ramona Quimby, Age 8. I love when you turn my pages very gently to see what happens next.

My creators are like my family. A kind woman named Beverly Cleary made me. She loved children and knew they have big feelings. She used a special machine to tap-tap-tap all my words onto paper. She imagined a girl named Ramona who was funny and spunky. Then, an artist named Alan Tiegreen read my story. He took his pens and drew all the pictures you see. He drew Ramona with her fun hair, her family, and all her silly adventures. I was born on September 29th, 1981, and I was so excited to meet my first reader.

I was made to be a friend for you. When you read my pages, you can laugh with Ramona when she does something silly. You can also understand her when she feels a little grumpy or sad. I show you that it is okay to be yourself. For many, many years, children have opened my cover to find a friend inside. I hope that whenever you see me on a shelf, you remember that every story is important, especially your story.