to see your e-mail to Morris published here, use the Message Page to send him a G'day. There'll be a new selection posted every couple of months.

Morris here... To everyone who's been in touch over the past few weeks — thanks, I enjoyed reading your messages. Here's the latest selection.

(Psst... Nick here, Morris' brother. Morris has been busy writing, so it's been a while since these e-mails have been updated. Morris sends his apologies, and asked me to tell you that you can see older e-mails in Past Messages.)

20 October

Dear Morris
My name is Claire and i loved once and then!
and i would like to know if you are going to write a sequel to 'then'.
At first i didn't think you would because of the way the story ends but i would be devastated if it would end like that.

Please write a sequel !

Claire

20 October

Dear Morris,
You are the best author ever.
I love all of your books so much but my favourites would have to be Once & Then.
They are the best books i have ever read and they feel so real.
Once i had picked up Once, i could not put it down and i couldn't wait until the new one came out.
When it did i loved it and read it in a week.
I wish there was another one.
Please keep writing your fantastic books and i will keep reading them.
From Bailin.

19 October

Hi morris
I am such of a fan of your books you are soo funny
My teacher especially loves your books
we are reading ''toad rage''
I know you do not get alot of time to email but i will be gratefull if you read it
I am in fifth class in Ireland
Thank you for a author
Cáit

19 October

Dear Morris Gleitzman
I really enjoyed your book “Then”. I couldn’t put it down because at the end of each chapter, something would hook me in.

I anticipated the release of Then after reading Once. I had to know whether Zelda and Felix would survive and what would happen after they jumped off the train. My favourite part was when Genia put off the Nazis and invited Felix and Zelda to live with her. This was the happiest part of the story.

I think it's so fantastic that your trying to inform people about the horrific things that happened in the holocaust. Before I read your book, I assumed that all that happened in World War II was lots of people dying but i never knew about all the prejudice that occurred during that part of history. Your novel helped me to realize what it was like for jewish children who managed to escape from the nazis clutches many times. The things that happened to Felix could have easily happened to other jewish children and it makes me feel sick to think of the pain those children went through.

The ending was great but i couldn't help not to cry. It makes me feel so happy that i have a family that loves me.

Thank-you for writing such fantastic and informative books and opening my mind to a new way of looking at history.

Zoe

18 October

Dear Mr Gleitzman
I have just finished reading your book in English and I think it is good.
I liked all the book because it is funny and it is an interesting book. I think it was a bit upsetting at the ending but I think the book was brilliant.
I was wondering if you had a DVD or a video of two weeks with the queen because if you have then that would be fantastic.
I thought your book was amazing and it was a very interesting book I wanted to see what would happen at the end then when I read the ending I thought that it was fantastic.
Thankyou
Katie
Barnsley England

15 October

Hey Morris
I started reading your books in grade 5 my first book was once and now I have all most read all of your books
My mum loves your books and encourages people to read them
I just wanted to know are you going to write a another book continuing then it could be called NOW
And on that note would you be making a movie one those books

Will

15 October

Hi, I'm Dana. I am in year 3 at Northcross Christian School in Ryde. I want to ask what does it feel to be a children's author? Is it possible that you can name a character Dana in your next book. Thank you!

13 October

Dear Morris,

I live in Granger, Indiana in the United States. Ok, heres my question, I was wondering if you were going to come out with another toad book. My favorite animals are frogs and toads so I love your toad books. Heres how many times Ive read each book.

Toad Rage: 3 and on my fourth currently

Toad Heaven: 2 and going to start my third after Toad Rage

Toad Away: 1 and going on my second after Toad Heaven

So, as you can see, i'm going throught the whole series

From-
Your Fan,
Evan

12 October

Hey Morris
My name is Chloe and i have read many of your books.
My absolute favorite is Once and I'm so excited that you have written a second I've been searching everywhere for a book store that sells it.
I live in Wonthaggi which is a small town at the bottom of victoria, I am currently studying year 8 at South Dudley Seondary College.
I'm really good at English, english and music are my all time favorite subjects.
I want to be a author when i am older but I am not very good at writting books i have tried but could you please give me some pointers.
I also like Wicked and Deadly i thought it was smart that you and Paul wrote books together you two were a good combination.
You are my favourite author and i hope you write back.
Yours sincerely Chloe

7 October

Heyy! The name is Samantha. So i just wanted to email you to say that i have got one of your books, its called misery guts, and we have this project in school for our english class, our project is to pick an author of any book and write about his background. So i picked you! Haha. That's all. I hope you get to read my email. Take Care. Good luck in everything. God bless you (:

~Samantha (:

3 October

Dear Morris Gleitzman,

I am nine and I love your books!

I especially liked Two Weeks With The Queen, Water Wings, Teachers Pet, Worm Story and Adults Only. I am a very fast reader, so, I have to borrow a lot of your books at the same time from the library.

Where do you get the ideas for your stories from? Why have you written a lot of books with cancer in them? Is it because you have a friend or a family member with cancer?

I have recently written a story but I am still improving upon it. I like to write mainly about things that I make up but I have noticed that you write about things that are happenning in real life.

I didn't really get your book ADULTS ONLY but I enjoyed it all the same. I hope to read more of your books!

From,
Gerri

P.S My story is called Samuel's Wish. It is a short story.

30 September

Hi, my name is Rhys and i am 12 years old from Western Australia. I have read both ONCE and THEN and would love to know if there will be a 3rd book in the series, if so when? I have really enjoyed them, even though they are a sad read.
Thanks,
Rhys.

Dear Rhys and everyone else who’s asked this question, Yes, there will be a third book. For details, see the Home page on this site – Morris.

30 September

Hi, I hope you be doing good! I´m still learning english, so I´m sorry if I don´t write in the right way...
I couldn´t stop my wish to write and tell you have made me cry! I´ve readed your book "UNA VEZ" ("ONCE" in english I guess) I can´t wait to read "THEN" but here in Spain we still don´t have it in spanish.
I´ve try to read it by your web page but my english is not so good yet...
Mr. Gleitzman,I´m 22 and I assure you that reading your book, I have had feelings that I´ve never had with others books, I can laugh, fly, cry, be scared... Please receive my congratulations, applauses! I only wanted make you to know you´re doing it great, you are really awesome, it´s the first time that I write to an author, but I had to...
Don´t be worry if you can not answer me, I rather you write books, in that way everybody can enjoy your art, not only me.
Thanks for read this, have a good day...!
María
Madrid - Spain

28 September

To morris

me and my friend mia are total book worms and we are only 9. because we are book worms we made book club the club started like this..........
i had teachers pet for this holidays as a reader, mia saw it in the lounge room. that day she went to the library and got the same book, after she caught up to where i was up to we decided to read the same books. the next day mia's friend came over and she joined. mia had borrowed the tape from the library as well so she gave that to her friend amy.

we have decided to read LOTS of your books because they're great!!!!

what do you suggest we should read next?

from elise

PS. how did you become an author?
PPS. i want be an author when I grow up.

25 September

My name is Hannah. I live in Scotland. I don't live in one of the big cities. I live in a tiny little town called Nairn. It's near Inverness, have you ever heard of Inverness?

I've got a confession to make, I don't really like reading books. Don't get me wrong I loved 'once' but well I just don't seem to be able to get in to them. To be honest it was my library period in English. The librarian was going on about how I seemed to be really behind on my reading, which I think is a load of rubbish. I picked 'once' because it was quite thin and because it had a yellow cover. Talk about don't judge a book before it's cover. I read a bit of it and frankly I found it really annoying. Felix irritated me so much. He seemed so stupid and naive (is that the word) .I thought that it was ridiculous that he thought that the Nazis were out to get Jewish book owners. I read a bit more and well my opinion changed. It was very brave of him to try and protect Zelda. He sheltered her from all the bad stuff and told her endless stories. I really got in to the book.

When they met Barney I again felt irritated, I felt that Felix was so selfish not telling anyone his stories. I absolutely loved Zelda. I loved her saying 'don't you know anything.' I was really anxious when she became ill. I really thought that the book was going to end with all the children staying with Barney forever but of course it didn't. I'm quite confused about how the Nazis found Barney and the children. When they were walking to the train station I had to stop myself from crying when Felix kissed Zelda. Felix had grown so much.

When the tears fell down my cheek I knew I had to write to you. Your book was superb I loved it so much.

Thankyou so much

P.S. The librarian at school was so shocked when she discovered that I had read the whole book.

22 September

Hi Morris, I've never writen to a famous Author, so i thought i'd give it a go.
I love to read and have a big passion for writing. I once wrote my own book of 37 pages, And it took me about 4 months! I really enjoy writing, and i hope to one day grow up and be as famous and as well known as you!
Although there's a few problems
- First, I don't have enough money to even think about publishing a book! I've heard it costs a whole bunch of money. (Obviously very expensive!)
- Secondly, I'm not quite sure how to make a book people would actually want to read. I have a bit of trouble with that one, I mean, I can't even think of a reasonable name for the title of a random book.
- And third of all, I'm not good at sitting still in my bedroom writing for hours, rubbing out, crossing out, destroying and demolishing whole chunks of pages out of my book. I just can't sit still, I mean I don't have ADHD or anything, it's just i can't seem to do that kind of serious stuff a famous author would do, It's basically impossible for someone like me.
After hearing all my reasons, I bet you'd be thinking to your self, this girl doesn't sound like a writer at all to me. And besides i probably don't anyway, But I believe, one day I will I'll be as famous as YOU! Well I hope so anyway. I'm going to try my hardest and prove I can be as best as I believe I can.
And you'll be my role model! And when I'm a writer like you (It's not impossible, nothing is.) I'm going to tell the world, you once were the greatest role model in the whole world.
And I bet you'd love that no matter if you've changed or not.
It's a great feeling and i know that much.
From DreamGirl (E.G Cassie)

20 September

Hi, I'm Ruby and I live in Adelaide. I just wanted to say that I think that you're a pretty amazing author. I've read all of your books. I'm 11 years old, Congratulations because I think you're Australia's best Author.

20 September

Heyy morris my name is Jayme
i am in the top reading class and i had to read once and didnt want to because it looked so so boring, but i did. it is now my favorite book in the whole world, i absolutely loved it because you didnt make it like how every other books have happy endings but it was just great! after this i knew i just had to buy Then and i diid and was so interested i read it in three days and it normally takes me forever. i just want to know will there be a book after Then because i want my hands on it straight away,l0l
keep writing!!

19 September

Hey Morris,

My name is Harry and I go to Macarthur primary school.
I'm in grade four and our class has been studying your books for book week. My favourite book of yours is Toad Rage because it was funny and cool. My favourite character is Goliath. I'm reading Toad Heaven and Worm Story at the moment and I am loving every bit of them. I live on a farm where we milk over 600 cows. I've visited your website many times and thought the baby photos were great.

See ya, from Harry

19 September

Hey Morris,

My name is Zoe and I go to Macarthur P.S in VIC. I’m in year 5 and I we’ve been studying your books for a couple of weeks. My favourite book is Bumface. At school we have a collection of your books, we have about 25. I’m reading Puppy Fat. We found out that your favourite insect is an ant and you wrote some books about toads so we made an ant body and a toad body each and put your head on them.

See
you
later

19 September

Dear Morris,
Hi, my name is Laura and I live in Macarthur
At my school we are studying you and your books and my grade has to read a book of yours and do a assignment on what we learnt.
I am reading Bumface I am really enjoying the book, it makes me laugh a lot.
We listen to your books on your website everyday before we do our activities each morning.
Every year a class picks an Author and learns about him or her. We make a door way of all the things you like and all the books you have written.
Our Teacher said “we can decorate the door way” with ants your favourite insect with your head on them and we made “Toads” because of your books, Toad Rage, Toad Heaven and Toad Away. They have your head on them too. We were in groups and made a crossword of the things in your A-Z on your website.
What is your favourite Animal? And one more question
If you did not live in Melbourne were would you live?
Macarthur where I live is a beautiful in the Country.
I hope you do put this on your web site or even reply

Yours Sincerely
Laura

15 September

i am a teacher in Alice Springs teaching a 3/4 class. We read "Once" and the kids were really enthusiastic, they were a little disappointed with the ending as they wanted to know that Felix and Zelda were ok. It provided a great opportunity for them to write their own ending, which a couple of kids did really well at. One even wrote it in a similar style and did an amazing job. Then we learned of "Then", we have just finished reading it and it has given me a great opportunity to connect with my class through literacy.

Well done
and thank you
Sandra

6 September

Hello
My name is Dhanya Kelly i am 12 years old and live in Indonesia but my nationality is australian.
I just wanted to email you to say that Your book once is the best book i have ever read and i have read a lot of books.

In the end i ended up in tears. I encouraged my mum and dad to read it and they said it was great. Your book inspired me. I started reading lots of books about Adolf Hitler and the Holocaust. I looked up on the Internet as well. To me you’re an inspiration. You have taught me so much in your books. You have taught me about love and hate. Your book means so much to me. If i were a German and i was alive when Hitler was ruling i would have supported the Jews no matter what. Because even though it was years ago my heart aches every time i read books about people dying in the time of the holocaust.

Your new book Then is probably better than Once. But that’s just my opinion.

I’m encouraging mum and dad to read it as well

Thanks for listening

I do hope you reply though i understand that you are busy

Kind Regards
Dhanya

3 September

Hi Morris. I am Beck from Sydney Australia and i am still in my young teen years. I just wanted to say how much i appreciate the books Once and Then you have written. These two books have just opened my eyes so much and have made me really feel proud that i am a jew and that people are now able to see what my ancestors have gone through and what terrible things have happened in the past 100 years. I really enjoyed reading the books even though they were sad : S

I think you are an awesome writer and idol and one day i hope i can express myself and inform the world of its history and make sure that its not forgottten.

Thanx again and i hope you end up reading this email.

Sincerly yours
Rebecca

Ps i also think all your other books are awesome too.
Wicked is my fav : D

2 September

Dear Morris Gleitzman,

I was reading one of your books 'Give Peas A Chance' and while i was reading the chapter give peas a chance it said something about America and how they were the last country to throw out and burn all the guns. It also said that the reason they did that was so the kids can eat more McDonalds or something like that. Now, I don't know if you were being a racist or something like that, but what you wrote offended me because I was born in America and lived there for 8 years (now living in Australia.) So if you can write me back to apologize that would be great.

Thank you
Please write back

From: Anonymous (but just call me cOokiez)

30 August

hi morris!

this year at school I'm in year 4 and my teacher has read your books 'Once', 'Boy Overboard' and is reading us 'Girl Underground.' I thought it was so good that I borrowed it from the library and finished it myself! I've also read your book 'Then' and thought that it was the most emotional book that I'd ever read!
All of your writing inspires me and helps me to write my narratives and stories at school.

Please keep writing!

Maddy

29 August

hey thnx for writing those amazing books .. u are a great writer and i enjoy ur books very much... by the way i have read every single one of ur books... Favourite by farr would be Once ... awsome, awesome, awesome!!! so yer just wanted to check out ur page and tell u how grat of a writer u are .. well thank u for reading my email.. if u are reading it that is ... oops im confusing myself ... well yer takecare and keep writing  =]  Lucy

28 August

Hello Morris Gleitzman! (Or just Morris, if you don't like your surname to be said every time you get an email or a fanletter.)
I just got your book, Toad Heaven, from the library, and I absolutely love it. I am trying to keep my email short, because I read your things about keeping them quick and short on your web site. But I just want to say, that I love your books, and my mum recommended them to me. Oh yes, and I am 9 years old - just. That's for if you're wondering.
Email back as soon as possible! But I know you must be busy because you probably get hundreds of emails like this every day...
Best Wishes,
Katherine

27 August

hi morris
i have just finished reading THEN i loved it i read ONCE and THEN in 6 days i loved it!!!
i recommend that you write another about felix and gabriek growing older, the war ends and felix has kids and felix dies and the evidence under the kennel becomes revealed to the world.
hope you like my suggestions. I'm a 11 year old boy in year 6.
bye
kyle
i know you cant get back to every one but can you PLEASE get back to me PPPLLLEEEAAASSSEEE

26 August

Dear Morris, My name is Bibi, i have read Boy Overboard and Girl Underground and i couldn't belive that you actually used my name!! I bet a million girls wrote this to you but mine is so REAL!! Thank you for reading this e-mail and keep it up!! (the good book writing)

Bye Bibi

25 August

hi my name is Liam and i live in Melbourne Australia, i have a complaint about the book then, you see i loved the first book once but then you do this book which i loved at first but then you killed the dog, then you killed the pig and the chickens and then you  (EDITED SO AS NOT TO REVEAL HOW THE STORY ENDS)  and you made every thing go too slow and then too fast, like they spent all their time in a farm while the first book they’re jumping off trains and escaping the orphanage and saving Zelda, but in this book basically not much traveling and also when  (ANOTHER NOT-GIVING-ENDING-AWAY EDIT)  and you know you should at least of made him try. if this is offensive I'm sorry but this is how i feel.
from Liam

25 August

Hi Morris

My name is Natasha of Brisbane I am in primary school and I am doing a biography on you.
I was hoping that you could write back to me so I could include your letter in my project.
Maybe you could tell me if there is anything new that is not on your web site to put me ahead of my peers.
Thank you so much
Natasha

23 August

Hi Morris,

I first wrote to you when I was 32 years old. Now I am 40. At the time I had just finished Misery Guts, Sticky Beak, Blabber Mouth, Two Weeks with the Queen and the rest of your gorgeous tales published at the time. I had never laughed so often, so hard and so loud when reading. And I have always loved reading. I have to admit that although I tried very hard to love your Toad tales series, they just didn’t grab me. Of course, I was busy with babies and toddlers at the time, and my sense of humour was somewhat diminished. So it was probably more me than the books! I read Once as soon as it was published and I loved it to bits. It was an amazing story told in an amazing way. You are very clever. I have recently finished Then and I loved it even more than Once. I continue to give these books to every adult in my life – I would hate for them to miss the experience of these incredible stories. Keep writing Morris. I promise to keep reading. I can’t wait to introduce my little ones to your work.

Kind regards,

Camilla

23 August

Dear Mr. Gleitzman,
I just read your book Then,
It made me feel so sad but it was a brilliant read.
I managed to finish it over the dinner table.
It was nice to have a short but very good book to read.
I loved Once and I am so happy that my friend told me about it.
If I could rate Once as well as Then they would be 10 out of 10.
Please write another book in the series. If you are going to I think a good name for the book would be Now.
My hero is not Richmal  Crompton it's you.

Kind regards Anna (11) Adelaide

18 August

To Morris Gleitzman,

I understand if you fail to reply but it would be appreciated if you did... that sounds up market 'eh? Yeah it's supposed to sound pro. Anyway.

I have read all your books and GUESS WHAT? You're my favourite author. I love reading all your books, I've read almost all of them.

But what makes me laugh the most is that most of your books are from a boy's point of view right? Well (heh, heh), as a girl I find it so funny to see what boys are thinking most of the time! A boy's point of view is rather interesting.

And those other books you write like 'Once' and 'Then' are so touching. They are true and it is probably the best way of teaching us younger kids what happens in the world.

I really enjoyed Wicked and Deadly by you and Paul. Paul Jennings happens to be my second favourite author so a book written by you both really wraps me up. I put 'Rude' on hold at the local Library but I didn't pick it up on time but I'm going to read it soon.

Thanks for listening. Hope you reply.

Regards (note the up market wording) Grace.

PS. At my primary school, Majura Primary School, they have a junior corridor, a middle corridor and a senior corridor. The junior corridor is called the Jennings Junction after Paul and the middle corridor is called the Gleitzman Group after you! I'm in year six and about to go to High School and I only just joined the school so I never was in either Jennings Junction or Gleitzman Group... sorry about that.

18 August

Dear Morris,

I’m one of your biggest fans. I’ve just finished the book Doubting Thomas and I am really curious about where you got the idea of a child having lie-detector-itchy-nipples? The book is strange but the funniest book I’ve ever read. I have also read most of the other books with Paul Jennings. Please answer as soon as you can. Thanks for listening.

Your BIGGEST fan
Nikola
P.S Please answer truthfully

17 August

hello morris lately my class at mount aspiring college have been reading once and then. we just finished then last week. all of the class loved the books you should write some more like that. me and my friend cried in then. every day when i got home from school i would tell my mum what happened in the book when i told her about the ending she cried she said that she wants to buy both the books so i can read them to her. once and then are the best books i have ever read and im not just saying that. they’re the type of book you could read over and over again and never get sick of it.
i am going to read heaps more of your books you are the best writer in the world oh and paul jennings.
bye
from Georgia
Wanaka
new zealand

17 August

Dear Morris

I am 25 years old and i remember reading your books Worry Warts, and now i have an English GF so it reminded me of those days of childhood.
I thank you for your contribution to the Y generation of Australia and it was just listening to the teacher read out your books and eventually i read them they were fun.

Thankyou

Sincerely
Truong Hai

14 August

Hi Morris

After studying WW2, my Year 7 class have read your two books ‘Once’ and ‘Then’. We thought they were fantastic. They also think there should be another book called ‘After’ Felix’s adventures after the war, I guess they are searching for that happy ending, but really have enjoyed reading about the adventures, albeit scary, overwhelming and moving for them. Many issues were brought up that we have discussed in detail. Thank you. Miss Allen

Just a few messages from some of them.

Hi, It really makes you appreciate what you have now. Your books were so good, I would definitely buy the next one if you wanted to write it. – Marco
The books were cool! – Hugo
I am also enjoying “The Other Facts in Life’ – Josh
I really, really, enjoyed Toad Rage, Toad Heaven and Toad Away. – Gerrit
You are a very good writer, the books were great, but very sad. – Rachel
It was sad, I cried because of all the death that actually happened. – Ayla
Your books are the best and I hope that you will make another one in that series. – Celeste
I like how Zelda bites people. She really stood up for herself even though she knew the fate it would bring her. – Caleb
Hi, I really like your books, especially ‘Then’. – Tom

Thankyou

7AN
Mount Aspiring College
Wanaka
NZ

11 August

Hi Morris,

My name is Kelly and I am a grade 5/6 Teacher at a school in Melbourne, Australia. This is my first year teaching grade 5/6 and i absolutely love it! I chose to read your book 'Once' with my extension reading group this term and we are almost finished reading it! I have made the children in this group keep a RRJ (Reading Response Journal), where they record their thoughts, wonderings , feelings and summaries of every single chapter. Before reading the next chapter together, we discuss each of our chapter entries and discuss any questions that we might have.

The children's response to your book has been phenominal. They can't put it down. I often walk around the room and over hear conversations such as 'This is the best book that i have ever read', or 'I feel so sorry for Zelda and Felix' etc. I can't put into words how your book has changed my extension literacy program in my grade. It has set a new feeling with reading in this group..... They are already saying that they want the next book that we read together to be one that you have written.

Thankyou again.

Kelly

6 August

Hi

I have just finished 'Once' and 'Then' and they were both great reads.

I read them out of sequence which would normally ruin sequential novels for me but instead it made me hungry to find out how they had ended up in the railcar.

There was a wonderful line in 'Then' about stories.

Something like stories always work best when you don't try to tell people what they are about.A great maxim for writers.

Finally I guess somewhere running around in your imagination Felix is waiting to escape into another book.If so I look forward to reading it.

Thanks for the stories.

Chris

3 August

Dear Morris,
i love the book boy overboard and going to read girl underground but whats the go with bumface. dont you think it's a bit rude.i live in australia. in state victoria and my city is melbourne. i go to Elwood primary school.

your sincerly Georgie.

2 August

Dear Morris Gleitzman,

I understand if you can't reply, but if you finish reading this message I will be more than grateful.

I have just finished reading Then, your second book in the series about Zelda and Felix. Unfortunately, when I found the book Then, I could not put it down and I didn't even know there was a first book in the series (Once). I am 11 years old and and mum thought it was too much to take in, but it was still the most thoughtful, emotional, sad and happy book I have ever read, and by far the best book.

You are a truly talented and most thoughtful author I know, and I hope that your career will continue to be as fantastic as it is now.

Then was the most touching book, and I will never forget the people and the things that happened in that time. Those memories will live on forever in my mind, and with every one else's.

To you Morris Gleitzman, I say thank you.

Regards, Eve