Sturdy for Common Things

Favorite Books About Mail + Writing Letters

You’ve got mail! (Oh, how that expression ages me.) Who doesn’t enjoy receiving a letter from someone special to you in the mail? We sent out a batch of freshly glued, painted, laced, and glittered Valentines earlier this week and it got me thinking about my favorite children’s picture books about mail, mail carriers, and writing letters. Book list time! If you’re planning an upcoming storytime or lesson on letter writing or just so happen to have a kid that is into mail, here are a few kid-approved stories about mail:

 

MAIL + WRITING LETTERS

A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats (public library | local bookstore)
Bunny Mail: A Max & Ruby Lift-the-Flap Book by Rosemary Wells (public library | local bookstore)
Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin by Duncan Tonatiuh (public library | local bookstore)
Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond (public library | local bookstore)

Dear Mr. Blueberry by Simon James (public library | local bookstore)
Dear Juno by Soyung Pak, illustrated by Susan Kathleen Hartung (public library | local bookstore)
Herman’s Letter by Tom Percival (public library | local bookstore)
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers (public library | local bookstore)

Toot & Puddle by Holly Hobbie (public library | local bookstore)
The Mixed-Up Mail Mystery by Erica Farber, illustrated by Huck Scarry (public library|local bookstore)
The Gardener by Sarah Steward, illustrated by David Small (public library|local bookstore)
Dear Yeti by James Kwan (public library|local bookstore)

 

MAIL CARRIERS

Mr. Postmouse’s Rounds by Marianne Dubuc (public library|local bookstore)
Millie Waits for the Mail by Alexander Steffensmeier (public library|local bookstore)
The Jolly Postman by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg (public library|local bookstore)
Katie Morag Delivers the Mail by Mairi Hedderwick (public library|local bookstore)

 

FUN WITH MAIL EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
Make a Play Mailbox
We made a cardboard mailbox out of an old box we had laying around the house with duck tape, tissue paper, and paint. Our mailbox isn’t nearly as attractive as this awesome DIY Cardboard Play Mailbox, but the kids love it all the same because it’s their own homemade creation complete with hearts and rainbows. They love making letters to go in the mail box and delivering the letters all around the house.

Write a Letter
Have a child dictate a letter to you and/or write their own. Ask them to help address the envelope, stick on the stamp, and send away in the mailbox. Maybe even send a postcard to a friend or family member on your next trip away from home. The thrill of sending mail is so exciting for young children.

Visit the Post Office
Going to the post office may be a bit of a drag when you’re a grownup, but kids love the post office. Assemble a group of interested kids and plan a group visit to your local post office or go solo. The USPS has a variety of printable resources as well like these lesson plans or information about stamps that have been printed.

I-Spy Mail Carriers
Talk about mail carriers and their role as community service workers. When you’re out walking or driving around, look for mail trucks or mail carriers and give them a friendly wave “hello”.

Have fun learning with these Free Printable Mail Carrier Activities

 

 

top image credit: Ezra Jack Keats’s A Letter for Amy