Dear Peter: Do you sometimes think Sir Tode is annoying? – Ryan, WI

It shames me to say that I sometimes did find him annoying — it wasn’t until I lost Sir Tode in the Just Deserts that I realized just how important he was.

- Peter

Dear Peter: What is this summary of your life, which adventures did you go throughout your WHOLE life? – Claudia, Canada

I can’t tell you what happened in my WHOLE life because I’m still alive!

- Peter

Dear Peter: Do you have any hobbies besides stealing? – Ryan, WI

While living with Mr Seamus, I didn’t really have time or energy for any hobbies. But I often played the game “guess that smell.”

- Peter

Dear Peter: What did it feel like being a sea monster? – Drew, Redlands CA

After a lifetime of feeling so weak and helpless, it was pretty thrilling to become a mighty monster! Though, I did get a stomach ache from swallowing all that salt water.

- Peter

Dear Peter: What’s your favorite moment on your journey to the the Perfect Palace? – Nadira, San Diego CA

I would say that the days I spent with Sir Tode on Professor Cake’s island were some of the best of my life. I would vige anything to walk along those quiet shores again.

- Peter

Dear Peter: Do you ever get second thoughts about leaving Mr. Seamus? – Renee, Redlands CA

My only regret was that I didn’t leave sooner!

- Peter

Dear Peter: Do you like being a thief? – Ryan, WI

I don’t like breaking the law, but I do sometimes enjoy the challenge of picking a really tough lock. There’s nothing better than the sound of a lock popping open.

- Peter

Dear Peter: Were you surprised to see a giant talking DOGFISH?! – Andy, Redlands CA

Well, I didn’t really SEE him …

- Peter

Dear Peter: Have you found out why you were sent out on your quest? Are you in love with Peg? – Big, Elk Mound WI

Well, once I figured out the rest of the riddle, I understood right away why I had been sent to the Vanished Kingdom. As far as being in love with Peg goes … that’s gross!

- Peter

Dear Peter: How did you get your name? – Drew, WI

I was named by the local magistrates, who thought they were using a name from a favorite nursery rhyme. (Can you guess which one?) Unfortunately, they sort of mixed up the words … and that’s how I became Peter Nimble!

- Peter

Dear Peter: Did you learn how to read? – Ale, Claremont CA

Even though I cannot see, my fingertips can detect ink raised on the surface of paper. With the help of people like Mr Pound and Miss Lillian, I finally learned how to “read” those lines and spell out words.

- Peter

Dear Peter: Are you going to have another book? – Ryan, Pearland TX

I’ve had plenty of exciting adventures. Now I just need to convince Mr Auxier to write them down for people to read! Maybe you should send him a letter?

- Peter

Dear Peter: How did you feel when you first met Sir Tode? – Andrew, RedlandsCA

Honestly, I thought he was a little bit silly. It took me a long time (and a lot of mistakes) to realize what a true friend Sir Tode was. Now I wouldn’t trade him for anything!

- Peter

Dear Peter: How did you feel when you fought Lord Incarnadine? Also, did you save the girl on the rat-infested island? please write back! – Natalie, CA

Dueling with Lord Incarnadine was terrifying — he was a fierce warrior and I was just some blind kid with a fishhook!. But that fight was not half so scary as when Sir Tode and I encountered the dreaded RAT KING on the Hag’s island. Just thinking of that night gives me chills.

- Peter

Dear Peter: How do you do the McNeery twist???? – Ryan, Pearland TX

The McNeery twist is a lock-picking move that requires a person to hold a pick perfectly still while turning whole lock in a North-by-Northwest direction. It’s harder than it sounds.

- Peter

Dear Peter: Could you take me to Princess Peg? I would love to meet her! – Tia, Manhattan Beach CA

Peg’s pretty busy these days. I’d suggest you write her a letter and see if she answers.

- Peter

Dear Peter: Can you fit your foot in your mouth? – Luke, CA

As I spend most of my time running around barefoot, I’m not sure I’d want to!

- Peter

Dear Peter: Is this book available in stores in Canada? – Jordan, Kenya

Mr Auxier tells me that there is an entire zoo full of penguins who have copied down my story for Canadian readers — that must be pretty hard to do with wings and webbed feet! You can visit this “Penguin house” here.

- Peter

Dear Peter: How do you play Mumbelty Peg? – Tia, Manhattan Beach CA

Mumblety-Peg is played by throwing knives into the dirt and trying to make them stand upright. It’s a pretty fun game … unless you’re caught playing with Pencil Cookson!

- Peter

Dear Peter: Will there be a sequel? – Elizabeth, Richarson TX

Sir Tode and I had many more adventures after visiting the Vanishing Kingdom. Maybe one of these days I’ll convince Mr Auxier to write some of them down!

- Peter

Dear Peter: Witch set of eyes is your favorite? – Charlton, Escondido CA

I’m pretty fond of the emerald green pair.

- Peter

Dear Peter: What is it like to suddenly learn that you are more than just an orphan thief? – Tia, Manhattan Beach CA

It took me a long time to accept the fact. Despite what others told me, I still struggled with the deep-down feeling that I was still a miserable criminal.

- Peter

Dear Peter: What was the first thing you ever stole besides the treasure chest? – Kevin, San Francisco CA

The first thing I ever stole was a feather from the raven who blinded me.

- Peter

Dear Peter: As a great thief, are there other things you are good at doing because of your skill with your hands, for example, tuning pianos or putting together lego sets without checking the instructions? – Robbie, Korea

I don’t know what a “piano” is, but I am very good at tuning harpsichords.

- Peter

Dear Peter: Are there scents you really enjoy that a person like myself might not ever detect? – Joe G, San Jacinto CA

One of my favorite smells is the air a few days before it rains.

- Peter

Dear Peter: Why do you not escape from Mr. Seamus on an earlier “grocery shop”? – Jace, Redlands CA

I thought about running away all the time, but where would I have gone? Besides, Mr Seamus would just send Killer to fetch me — that dog can bite!

- Peter

Dear Peter: What happened when you put a pair of eyes in your sockets? – Leesha, Kenya

When I put the golden eyes in for the first time, I felt suddenly dizzy and then — splash! — I was floating around in the Troublesome Lake. Needless to say, it was a bit unnerving.
- Peter

Dear Peter: If you could have eyes, and if you could buy them from a store and if it didn’t have a price … How much would you pay? – Nikkie, Springfield, MO

Why would I pay for eyes when I have my very own set of FANTASTIC eyes from Professor Cake? Those are worth more than a whole bucketful of ordinary eyes.
- Peter

Dear Peter: Do you know who your mom and dad are? – Rylee, Grande Prarie, AB

I never met my parents … but I have managed to learn a bit about them from old Simon.
- Peter

Dear Peter: What is your favorite color? Brianna, CA

Emerald green, of course!
- Peter