To John and Jane, to Fred and Frank,

To Theodore and Mary,

To Willie and to Reginald,

To Louis, Sue and Gary;

To sturdy boys and merry girls,

And all the dear young people

Who live in towns, or live on farms,

Or dwell near spire or steeple;

To boys who work, and boys who play,

Eager, alert and ready,

To girls who meet each happy day

With faces sweet and steady;

To dearest comrades, one and all,

To Harry, Florrie, Kate,

To children small, and children tall,

This book I dedicate.