Is Mr Henshaw a real person or not?

Mr. Henshaw is a fictional character from the children's novel "Dear Mr. Henshaw" by Beverly Cleary. The story follows a young boy named Leigh Botts who writes letters to the author Mr. Henshaw, seeking advice and sharing his thoughts. While Mr. Henshaw is not a real person, the themes and emotions in the book resonate with many readers, making him a memorable character in literature.