This book began 45 years ago I wrote the poem for our five young children. They loved it. In 2000 I refound "Flabby" and with my family's encouragement. I extended the story a bit. I asked our daughter Kendra if she might consider illustrating it. As she started the paintings, we realized that these little "critters" had been emerging in her consciousness for many years. It has been a delight to watch "Flabby" take shape and claim her rightful place in the world. Thank you, Kendra. It has been so pleasant to collaborate with you on this project. I love you very much and I am so proud of you. Another big thanks goes to my husband Kenneth. He spent many patient hours helping to print the pages. Hon, you outdid yourself with that ending page. . . I never knew the words the end could be so cute. I love you, Hon, and I thank you for letting this project emerge from your wife and daughter, and for helping us and cheering us on. My hope is that children, big or little will be surprised and delighted by Flabby Rabbit and Squinty Squirrel. As I put these pages together I could once again hear the laughter of our own children both when they were small and now with their children. A final thanks goes to each of you who said at perfectly timed intervals, "How is Flabby coming?" Thanks for the loving prods and for believing in me and in this project.