Admiral, What an achievement to write such an amazing series of volumes. I am especially impressed with your knowledge of natural history. I like the passage on Elephants in scroll eight of your 37 volume natural history. How did you collect the facts? I certainly didn’t know any of them. For instance, how can an elephant be dainty with his eating? He is so big, so vast. Why, surely, he would just knock everything over! I like the idea that there is no book so bad as not to contain something of value. Being a book lover myself I totally agree with you. Your nephew said that only when you were in the bath you didn’t study. Is it true? Personally, I can’t read or write in the bath either.

You are very brave, Sir, admirably brave to put your own life at risk for a hunger of knowledge of the Natural world and to save others. For your efforts have led to the naming of a volcanic eruption: a Plineas eruption.

I was wondering whether you could answer a question of mine. Do you know how it is that some beasts have the power to foretell the coming weather, so what storms, sun, wind and rain we shall have? To me it is very intriguing. Today we forecast weather using satellites but I think studying animal behaviour would be more interesting and fun. Also using animals would not have such an impact on the environment.

This letter is yours with admiration, from Emma Yeomans

Simon Schama said: “I somehow think Pliny Sr would have loved this and have written back — in several volumes.”

Lucy Lethbridge said: “I liked the conversational tone of her letter and the way she gets stuck in with some probing questions. She certainly knows what she’s talking about. Just the right manner, vigorous and curious, in which to treat both heroes and history.”

Runner-up: Rosie Grieve, 8, for her letter to Guy Fawkes Runner-up: Ben Hallett, 8, for his letter to King Henry VIII

11-13
Winner: Serena Hogan, 13, for her letter to Anne Frank

Dear Anne, I heard that you went into hiding a couple of weeks ago. I hope you are safe and well and that you have every comfort you could have in a hiding place.

Things are getting pretty bad out here as old Mrs Wilfik, the kind old lady who used to give us sweets, was hauled off yesterday and her shop’s been ransacked. There are bits of glass and wood lying around in the streets; which would make it dangerous to come out at night (if we were allowed to) as several people have tripped.

A bomb landed in our street three days ago. No one was killed but there is a huge crater in the middle of the road. It is dangerous going out now because of bombs and spies. You don’t know what it’s like out here where no one trusts anyone else, not even their best friend. Talking of friends there is just about no one at school these days as all the Jews have gone to the new Jewish school and most children have gone to the country.

In Helen’s street there was a direct hit but luckily no one was killed. The house is reduced to rubble so no one goes there and I’ve made a lovely little hiding place in a corner where no one can find me if they don’t know I’m there first. Oh Anne, it’s the perfect place. The other day when looking for a coin I’d dropped, I found the most beautiful coral necklace underneath a stone. I’ve had to hide it though, as if Mother sees me wearing it she ’ll ask where it came from and probably take it to the authorities. It’s still lovely to look at though and I wish you could see it.

Anne, you are very brave to stay in hiding as at times you might not be able to talk or move and in the old days you would never have managed that. You must carry on being brave and learn to live with Margot and your mother, as I know how you feel about them. When you’re sad remember that someone admires and has faith in you, keep smiling and you’ll be out of there in no time. It can only go on until Christmas, so until then.

Your old schoolfriend, Serena Hogan

Erica Wagner: “This was a remarkable letter; perhaps it doesn’t quite fit the brief, as it assumes another persona: a girl caught up in the war. But it’s the better for it, with its sense of historical irony. The letter-writer thinks Anne will eventually be safe; we know she won’t. The real Serena is clearly aware that her concerns (about tripping, about keeping hold of her coral necklace) are trivial in comparison to Anne’s — the contrast between the details of her life and what we know of Anne’s life, and death, gives this letter its strength.”

Simon Schama: “Beautifully written — if only Anne could have read it.”

Runner-up: Tom Emms, 12, for his letter to Machiavelli Runner-up: Henrietta Young, 11, for her letter to King Guthrum

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