Cards and letters, written thoughtfully, mailed carefully, awaited with anticipation, and opened joyfully. Sending cards and letters used to be something of a tradition, or habit even to those who avidly kept in contact with their relatives and friends that lived far away. I remember getting letters from my grandmother, in her beautiful cursive writing, telling me about the pies she had baked, her garden in the backyard, and how my grandfather fell asleep in church once again.
Letter writing is personal. It means that you are actually in that moment. The handwriting on the front of the envelope lets you know instantly who it’s from, it’s like someone’s voice on paper because everyone has a unique way of penning letters. How lovely that someone has taken the time out of their day just for you. When you write a card or letter to someone it’s as if the receiver of that letter is present at the moment. It’s as if you’re speaking to them and they’re right there with you.
Why is this important to children? In our fast paced world of instant gratification children have little time to develop patience. Writing letters and cards and waiting to receive a response teaches delayed gratification. Let’s face it, sometimes anticipation is almost better than the gift.
It also teaches children how to express feelings such as gratitude with a ‘thank you’ card, or loneliness when writing to a parent or grandparent that lives far away.
Let’s face it, practicing literacy inspires literacy and any method of reading and writing for children should be encouraged and promoted.
Here are some great books for kids about writing and receiving letters, mailing packages, and the entire process of mail! There are also some links below to some amazing postcards that kids can color themselves, write on the back and mail to their friends and family!
Sincerely Emerson: A Girl, Her Letter, and the Helpers All Around Us by Emerson Weber
I really enjoyed this book and was happy to find out it’s a true story. When 11 year old Emerson writes a letter to her postal carrier, Doug, thanking him for all his help mailing the letters she loves to write, suddenly Emerson receives a nationwide outpouring of gratitude from postal carriers everywhere. It’s a great story of recognition to all those people who help us everyday but are largely unseen.
The Lost Package: A Lot Can Happen Between the Post Office and the Destination by Richard Ho and Jessica Lana. It’s easy to see why this book received two prestigious awards both the Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Children’s Book of 2021 and the Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2021. “Like other packages, this one began as an empty box. It was packed with great care, sealed tight, and given a personal touch.” But then the package gets lost, and what happens to it in-between and the story of an unexpected friendship at the end is surprising. The in-depth look behind-the-scenes in a post office was quite fascinating as well. I particularly liked the illustrations in this book. They are realistic without being too busy, yet including small details like reflections in puddles, and tree branches in the fall.
Dear Dragon: A Pen Pal Tale by Josh Funk. I loved this book. Two pen pals, Blaise and George write to each other about life and family and school. The letters are in perfect rhyme, and throughout the book the two are becoming good friends. When the two classes finally meet at the park they’re both rather surprised at who the other really is! The illustrations are perfect, the premise is charming. Josh Funk, author of Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast does it again!
It Came In The Mail by Ben Clanton. A ‘Teachers Pick’ book – this is about Liam, who LOVES to get mail. But the book isn’t as much about mail as it is about what surprises arrive in the mail and little Liam decides that his magic mailbox has given him so much that he needs to share with everyone else. The illustrations really help carry this book – like the lightbulb bonking Liam in the head when he gets an idea. The ‘funny bone’ that arrives is telling a knock knock joke and the whale arrives “Air Whale.” This book will entertain both children and adults alike.
Some colorable postcards that make mail exciting and promotes writing skills. Colorable Dinosaur Postcards: 25 colorable postcards for Kids. 4×6 cards with dinosaurs of every sort. Help kids stay connected with friends and family by promoting writing. Animal FunFact Postcards – set of 20 with fun facts about animals on the front with a gloss coating.