CLEARY, Beverly. Dear Mr. Henshaw. Illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky. NY: William Morrow, 1983. 8vo, [viii] 134pp. White quarter-cloth stamped in blue with blue boards. Blue endpapers; b&w illustrations throughout. A fine copy with slightest soiling to upper edge of rear cloth, in original color pictorial dust jacket (no medal affixed). Inscribed on by the author, Newbery Medalist, Beverly Cleary, on an inserted bookplate created especially for her with images of Ramona, Henry Huggins, Ribsy, and Ralph S. Mouse AND signed  on the half-title by the artist, Caldecott Medalist Paul O. Zelinsky, with a small, intricate drawing of a butterfly.

First edition. 1984 Newbery Medal Winner! After his parents separate, Leigh Botts moves to a new town with his mother. Struggling to make friends and deal with his anger toward his absent father, Leigh loses himself in a class assignment in which he must write to his favorite author. When Mr. Henshaw responds, the two form an unexpected friendship that will change Leigh’s life forever. Lain into this copy is a headshot of the author.