Thank You
The Very, Very Far North book series has inspired lots of readers to reach out. I’ve received emails and old fashioned letters, much, much more than for any of my previous books. They come from readers and listeners of all ages, from all over. And yes, some are meant for Duane and his friends, which I am always happy to pass on.
I am so grateful for these letters and drawings. If you stumbled onto this page out of curiosity (Duane would approve), then here is some of what readers have been saying about the books.
July 19, 2023
Dear Mr. Bar-el,
My name is Abigail and I am 7 years old and my sister’s name is Adeline and she is 4 years old. We REALLY like your books the Very, Very Far North and Just Beyond the Very, Very Far North. Adeline likes that all of Duane’s friends are so nice to him. Abigail likes that they all work together. We really love Duane and how he is so kind, thoughtful, loving and cute. We felt sad when the book ended. We would like to know if you are writing a third book about Duane and his friends? We sure hope you are.
July 13, 2023
Hi!
I’m just writing to say that my 6 year old daughter and I absolutely LOVE love love Duane the polar bear and all the friends in the Very Very Far North. We just finished the second book and are wondering if there will be any more in the series? The writing is so beautiful. There’s always some part that makes me cry while I’m reading to her. Definitely when Magic had her turn on stage in the Balancing Show. Big tear jerker. What wonderful writing and storytelling. Thank you so much for these books. Will there be more?? 🙂
-Holly
March 1, 2023
Hello Mr. Bar-el!
We are writing to you from North Haven, CT. The seven kindergarteners of Slate School have fallen in love with The Very, Very Far North and we are eager to connect with you.
Our children have explored TVVFN inside and out. We’ve made our own snow delights after experimenting with ice crushing techniques and they’re in the process of making life-sized Duane and CC for their classroom.
Feb 25, 2023
Dear Mr. Bar-el,
My name is Ivan and I am ten years old. I read both of your books about the Very, Very Far North. I really liked them so much that we decided to contact you. I would like to request if you can write another book in this series.
I read these books with my mom and she also loved them. We laughed a lot and some of the characters reminded us of people we know in real life!
If you write another book, can you please add more characters and maybe get rid of the weasel! Ha!ha!
Thank you so much.
Ivan
Jan 30, 2023
Mr. Dan,
I am Ozzie. I love the Very Very Far North so much I started crying when it ended. You make the book so funny. I love the pictures of Fat Polar Bear (that’s what we call Duane because I can make up good names too). I poke my Dad whenever I’m talking to him now because of Magic.
Thank you for writing this book, it will bring me so many memories.
Jan 27, 2023
My class and I just finished reading The Very, Very Far North, and we loved it! The students wrote and drew some letters to Duane. I am wondering if there is a PO Box or email address that accepts attachments where I could send these lovely letters?
Thanks,
First and Second Grade Teacher
Ann Arbor, MI
Jan 6, 2023
Our family loves the Very, Very Far North series and have read both books multiple times. We just have to know – any chance there will be a third? Fingers crossed! 🙂
Feb 5, 2023
Hi Dan!
My 5-year-old son Bennett is a huge fan of your Very, Very Far North series. He is wondering if you have any plans to add to the series. Thanks for your time!
Nov 22, 2022
Dear Dan Bar-el
Your books are so inspiring! Especially ‘Just Beyond the Very, Very Far North’. It inspired me to look for the good in everything.
The characters have such personalities that make me feel so confident. Although, my favorite character is Magic. She has such an upbeat character trait and always finds the good and fun in the bad and scary. I love how she is a comforting friend and would die to keep fun existing. Your book taught me to find the rainbow in storms. Diamond in the rough, if I may.
I love this story. It made me feel like I was a part of it. Walking with nature, having fun picnics, and watching a cute little talent show on a beach by the sunset.
Your work is magical. A gem with the price of friendship, fun, and love, the hardest thing to afford.
Nov 21, 2022
Hi there!
Thank you so much for your work. The ‘Very Very Far North’ and ‘Just Beyond the Very Very Far North’ have meant so much to my son, wife and I. They created the opportunity for such wonderful conversations and moments of bonding as a family.
Thank you so much for all you do and creating such wonderful worlds!!
October 2, 2022
Dear Mr. Bar-el,
I just finished Just Beyond the Very Very Far North which I read with my dad right after The Very Very Far North. I feel like I am friends with Duane and his friends, and loved both books very much. I would love one more chance to take a journey with my friends in the very very far north and would appreciate it if you consider writing one more. Thank you so much for creating these characters – they are wonderful!
Sincerely,
******* *****
Age 7
Feb 2, 2022
Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I just finished reading The Very, Very Far North to my 4 & 7 year olds and they LOVED it. We live in Pennsylvania & recently got snow. The kids sculpted the piles of snow I shoveled off the driveway into ice burrows in different areas around the yard for all of your characters. We turned off the lights at night & made an inside ice cave & brought in electric candles to be Sun Girl’s fire. On our walk yesterday, my son was yelling with joy when the compass pointed north, so that we were “on our way to Duane”. And on our walk today, the kids were scurrying ahead of myself and the dog so they could isolate “Magic’s footprints” on the trails. Book 2 will be given as a birthday present later this month. Thank you!
Nov 24, 2021
Hi Dan,
Your Very, Very Far North books have been an absolute joy to read aloud to my 7 year-old son. He has thoroughly enjoyed them; I have thoroughly enjoyed them. The content is sweet and gentle; your writing style is delightful. The vocabulary is rich, and there are aspects that I can choose to explain, or save for another reading at a later time (Major Puff, for example, who is an absolutely brilliant character!) The adventures are varied, engaging, and entertaining. And as I said, the books are a pleasure to read aloud, which I find to be uncommon in books for young readers.
As we approach the midpoint of Just Beyond, my son has noted that it is copyrighted 2020, and the first one 2019. As we approach the end of 2021, he asked me to “look into whether there is another one about to be released.” That endeavor is how I arrived at your site.
Two very big fans of your work here are wondering, will we be reading more adventures of Duane and Friends soon?
My son spends hours reading every day, and he is a gentle and sensitive soul. My wife and I need more books like yours–they are perfect!
Feb 9, 2023Comment:
Hi there!
My daughters and I wanted to drop a quick line to tell you how much we’ve enjoyed The Very Very Far North and Just Beyond The Very Very Far North! We homeschool and so consume many many books but I can’t emphasize enough how much of a joy your books were to read aloud! Your use of language was delightful and the characters were all so lovable in different ways! We also wondered if you have a third book in the works by chance? Thank you so much for your writing, Duane and his pals are definitely among our top favourite characters we’ve met 🙂
Dan Bar-el 