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Picture Books About Letter Writing
Letters are kind of old-fashioned; e-mail is quicker and a regular part of our lives now. But there's something special about a letter and the time it takes for it to be written, put a stamp on it, and get the letter to its recipient. Share letters real and imagined in the pages of these books. Meet grand exaggerators and characters that live only in fairy tales. Watch a girl grow and a boy show just how special his friend is to him. Find out how the mail really gets where it's going and more as you read the suggested titles below.
A Letter to Amy
Peter finds a special way to invite Amy, the only girl and a singular friend, to his birthday party. But the wind catches his letter just as he puts it in the mailbox. Keats' well-liked character (first introduced in A Snowy Day) is back for another everyday drama.
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
Farmer Brown has his hands full when the cows on his farm get a typewriter. Duck, however, negotiates successfully for all parties in this very funny farm story of very clever animals. Be prepared to talk about typewriters or take a trip to a museum to see one!
Dear Annie
Annie's grandfather letters to her started when she was born and continues as Annie grows. The loving relationship and Annie's increasing maturity is chronicled in this attractive and engaging book.
Dear Mr. Blueberry
At the start of summer, Emily discovers a whale in her pond and immediately writes to her teacher for further information. Humor and fantasy combine for a memorable whale of a tale!
Detective LaRue: Letters from the Investigation
Ike LaRue, famous correspondent (introduced in Dear Mrs. LaRue) known by readers as a four-legged letter writer with a flair for exaggeration now turns to solving the mysterious disappearance of neighborhood cats.
I Wanna Iguana
A funny hilariously illustrated example of persuasive writing. Young Alex takes to writing letters in an attempt to persuade his mom that he’s ready to have an iguana as his pet. And Mom isn’t falling for it… Fortunately, in addition to being persuasive, Alex is persistent.
Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank You Notes
Moxy tends to put off things that she considers a chore — so writing thank you notes for Christmas presents is definitely something to avoid. Readers of all ages are likely to see themselves in this satisfying novel.
Ramona's World
Ramona, now starting 4th grade, gets a teacher who is a stickler for proper spelling. Ramona is propelled into writing a letter when she finds an error in an advertisement — all with the verve and humor readers expect of Ramona.
The Gardener
A girl is sent to live with her taciturn uncle (a baker) until her father gets a new job. How Lydia Grace brightens the drab city and her uncle's bakery is told through a series of letters home and subtle, expressive line and wash illustrations.
The Jolly Postman or Other People's Letters
Join a chubby cheeked mail carrier as he delivers letters to well known characters from recognized tales — such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears — then turn the page and read each humorous note.
The Post Office Book: Mail and How It Moves
From mailbox to homes, the process of handling mail is introduced in Gibbons' signature style illustrations and crisp text in this brief but informative book.
The Thank You Letter
After a wonderful party, birthday girl Grace sits down to thank her friends and family for all their kind gifts. But she doesn't stop there — as she writes, Grace realizes there are so many things to be grateful for! So she thanks her teacher for helping her learn to write. She thanks her dog for his cheerful wagging tail. She even thanks the sky for being perfectly, beautifully blue.
Yours in Books
Owl just wants some peace and quiet to read his books — alone. But when the forest youngsters ruffle his feathers, he enlists the local bookshop owner to send him handpicked books to help cope with the chaos and the mess. It’s not long before Owl discovers Squirrel and learns that just as important as solitude are companionship and community. Told entirely in letters, this charming picture book celebrates books and bookshops, letter writing, and love.
Yours Truly, Goldilocks
What happens when the well known three pigs try to plan a party? Readers will find out as they read a series of very funny illustrated letters between characters right off the pages of familiar tales.
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