Jessica - china doll, beanie baby, a wall plaque with a prayer for faith in myself, a Jackie Joyner- Kersee book, swimming cap, a gold medal in long jumping, magic eye book, cd, pencil for school work.

Ryan - 100 famous men book, warhead candy, flashlight, skittles, computer games.

Jonathan- a lego airplane- I love legos and planes, Hershey chocolate bar- I love chocolate, Peace the beanie baby, Garfield, baseball cards, Star Wars stuff, Beach Boys CD and a N64 game.

Anna - Shirt for shopping, tv remote, plastic dog, antenna for my crazy days, beanie baby lizard, mini soccer ball, jewelry, pen, and a computer manual (I love computers)

Courtney - a small soccer ball, a soccer trophy, letters from my pen pal, playing cards, an American Girl magazine, a picture of Disney World, a cat key chain, stickers for my sticker collection, and Milk Chocolate because I love chocolate.

Nick - swim team ribbons, picture of my cat, my dog's sock, basketball trophy, beanie baby, and a math book for math.

Morgan- Radio, I love to sing, books, a picture of my cat, markers for drawing, baby bottles (I love babies) and a running shoe.

Bryce- army men, Garfield books, tanks, jet fighters, picture of my cat, helicopters, Savage Garden CD, rocks, and Ammorph Books.

Alan - Legos, ink pens, gold medal in Martial Arts, mystery book, electronic games, and piano flash cards.

Natalie -picture of Tweety Bird, Whippet book for my dog, goggles for swimming, deck of cards, colored pencils, gum, CDs, and a picture of a piano.

Dear Jessica,

My name is Vanessa. I go to Delmar Elementary. I am in the sixth grade I wanted to tell you about what I put in a shoe box.

1. A picture of my family
2. a cd ('N SYNC)
3. a heavy jacket
4. a picture of my dog
5. a benie puppy
6. a hair thing
7. a pom-pom for cheerleading
8. nail polish
9. a little beanie kitten for my fat cat
10. a picture of my sister saved my life.

Why would you put a swimming cap? Or a magic eye book? These are just some questions I have for you. Thanks for reading this . Please send me a letter soon

Bye!
Your keypal,
Vanessa

Hello to everyone in Mrs. Bank's Class, Houston, Texas!

And thanks to Jessica, Ryan, Jonathan, Anna, Courtney, Nick, Morgan, Bryce, Alan and Natalie for their shoeboxes. I'm glad so many of you like soccer. Here in England we like soccer a lot! (I won't mention the chocolate - I'm supposed to be on a diet;-)

I did a shoebox activity a while back with the students in Mrs Weeg's school in Delmar MD. I thought you'd like to see what's in my shoebox too. Maybe some of the other schools would like to send us theirs too?

Liz Exton
(Kidlink helper)

These shoeboxes tell a lot about a person, don't they? ;-)

1. A photo of my teddy bear, Edwina, to represent comfort. I've had her ever since I was a baby and she's always been there whenever I've felt sad or lonely.
2. My wedding photo that's on the bookcase.
3. A little piece of the Berlin Wall to represent freedom. We went to Berlin when the wall came down and borrowed a hammer and chisel to help knock it down.
4. The wooden shoes they gave me when I left Holland. They are a lovely buttery yellow colour and just my size. I love them to bits.
5. My Swiss Army knife because I like to think I am a practical and resourceful person.
6. My husband's granny's pearl necklace. It was a big honour to be given these when granny died. I loved her to bits and these are some of my most cherished possessions.
7. A little pink rose. When I was a little girl I always had real miniature pink rosebuds on my birthday cake. It made me feel really special.
8. My Shaun the Sheep fridge magnet. Shaun comes from one of the Wallace and Gromit movies that are made here in Bristol and have won 3 Oscars. The town I was born in is also famous for sheep farming and the wool industry in the olden days.
9. A book. The book I'd choose is called "Swallows and Amazons" by Arthur Ransome. It was one of the first books I ever read and it's a really good adventure story.
10. A picture. My favourite picture that I own is of the view in through a window of some people warming their toes in front of the fire on a cold winters night. This picture is only about as big as a postcard and it gives me a lovely warm feeling to look at it.

Replies from Delmar students:

Dear Jessica and Nick,

Hi my name is Ashley I hope that you are having a nice day. How are you? Fine here. What are you hobbies? Mine are cheerleading, swimming, and watching people play football. How old are you? I am 11 year old and I am going to turn 12 in March. Who is your hero? Mine is Neve Campbell. Well have a great day bye bye have a great day bye.

Ashley
P.S.Write back soon!!

Dear Courtney,

Hi my name is Laura and I am 12 years old. I live in Delmar Delaware. I go to Delmar Elementary School. Do you have any pets?? What are your favorite hobbies?? Do you have any bros or sis??? I have 2 bros and 2 sis. Their names are Kenny, Jimmy, Stacey,and Amy. My favorite Sports are Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, and Hockey. I am a sports kind of person. you?? Do you like school? I dont?? What is the animal to your school. Right now the animal to my school is Bobcats. But next year it will be Wildcats. I cant wait because I will be going to high school next year. By the time we get there we will have a new school because they are building another one. Well I have to go. bye bye. please write back.

Laura

Dear Natalie,

Here's what I put in my own shoebox I would put gum, beanies, garfield stuff, pooh' bear stuff, and Mickey stuff and last but not least snoopystuff

your friend,
Jasmine

Dear Nick,

Hi my name is Lauren I am 11 years old. I am in the 6th grade. I like Hanson,and Five. What groups do you like? How come you all put swimming in your showbox boxes? If I had a box I would put in it. One of my Hanson and my Five poster. I well I have got to go. Please write back soon.

Your Friend,
Lauren

"Me in a Shoebox "

My name is Stephanie and I really like sports. I would fit in the shoebox a field hockey ball if I can find it.I would stick a picture of Mike Mussina . He is my favorite pitcher. I would also pick a Sweet Valley High book preferably Earthquake. I would also put in Chicken Soup for the Kid`s Soul! it is my favorie book. I woul also put a picture of my family: stepdad sister mom and me!!