# Is "Dear Mr. Henshaw" by Beverly Cleary a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (William Morrow / Morrow Junior Books, 1983) is identified by: First edition published 1983 by William Morrow (Morrow Junior Books), New York. US true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition published 1983 by William Morrow (Morrow Junior Books), New York
- First printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page AND carries a complete number line ending in 1; the number line is the decisive point
- White cloth spine lettered in dark blue over blue boards
- Illustrations by Paul O. Zelinsky
- First-state dust jacket without the Newbery seal
- Publisher imprint reads William Morrow / Morrow Junior Books
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Beverly Cleary |
| Publisher | William Morrow / Morrow Junior Books |
| Year | 1983 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Children's / illustrated |
| Key point | First edition published 1983 by William Morrow (Morrow Junior Books), New York |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First edition published 1983 by William Morrow (Morrow Junior Books), New York. First printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page AND carries a complete number line ending in 1; the number line is the decisive point. White cloth spine lettered in dark blue over blue boards. Illustrations by Paul O. Zelinsky. First-state dust jacket without the Newbery seal.

## Is this the true first?
US true first. Newbery Medal 1984.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Morrow in this era frequently left the 'First Edition' statement on later printings, so a present 'First Edition' line alone does not confirm a first printing — verify the number line includes 1. Book-club editions are unpriced; post-award jackets add the seal.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Dear Mr. Henshaw* by Beverly Cleary a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/dear-mr-henshaw
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.