When it comes to their devotion to the Holy Father, kids across America have had a lot to say.

"Does God ever talk to you in your sleep?"

"Since you are in Italy, how come the Popemobile isn’t a Ferrari or a Lamborghini?"

These sentiments, and many more, are the basis for a newly-released book Dear Papa: Children Celebrate Pope John Paul II with Letters of Love and Affection, which caps off the national Jubilee Project.

The book, part of the project, is a compilation of letters and drawings solicited from the students of 8,000 Catholic schools nationwide. Compiled by Richard A. Klein and Virginia D. Klein, the book was intentionally released this October in time to present the Jubilee Project to Pope John Paul II in Rome.

All of the letters, poems and drawings, as well as a copy of the book, were part of the overall Jubilee Project. On Oct. 15 the Kleins will have an audience with Pope John Paul II where they will complete their mission to honor him on his silver jubilee by presenting him with a copy of the book along with 10,000 of the letters and drawings submitted for the book.

"In his 25 years, no other Pope – in fact no other world leader – has been so identified with children," stated Richard Klein.

"It was a fun project. The children are so open. What is in their hearts comes out unedited. They are all precious thoughts," added Virginia Klein.

Assisting the Kleins with getting the book published was Lou Reda of Lou Reda Productions, Easton, Pa. Reda, a parishioner of St. Philip and St. James Parish, Phillipsburg, is a long-time friend and business partner of Richard Klein.

Reda’s involvement in Dear Papa: Children Celebrate Pope John Paul II With Letters of Love and Affection is a natural extension of his area of expertise. Reda has devoted much of his career to the production of documentaries and has represented 70 books including children’s books, books on history and more.

Richard Klein is also known for his award winning television documentaries, produced primarily by ABC Video Enterprises with whom he helped pioneer the Arts & Entertainment and Lifetime cable networks. He and Reda are owner/operators of The Universal Archives, Inc., a stock footage library serving the television and motion picture industries worldwide. He is also the author of two self-help books.

Klein’s wife, Virginia, worked closely with Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity for nearly two decades, and was a regular volunteer in India, Nepal and Kenya. She was a longtime volunteer with the Missouri Department of Corrections, conducting weekly ministry to inmates. She served as chair of the St. Louis Archdiocesan Developmental Appeal for two years and founded the Catholic Leadership Institute, a movement to save endangered Catholic schools in the city of St. Louis.

In the near future, the Kleins will assemble all the names of those students who submitted letters and drawings toward the book and will hold a drawing. The winner will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship to further their Catholic education.