I was an Army brat, and I spent all of my childhood living very far away from my extended family. To keep in touch, I wrote lots of letters. Overseas phone calls were EXPENSIVE in the 80s, people! And, even though keeping in touch is much easier in 2018, I still like to hand write letters to my friends and family. But let's face it -- I am one of the few. Let's reclaim the lost art of letter writing! These books can help give you a jumpstart on this new undertaking.
Can I Be Your Dog? by Troy Cummings
E CUM NEW BOOK
Children will fall in love with Arfy, a sweet, homeless dog who wants a forever home. Arfy sends persuasive letters to different people in the neighborhood that list his many adoptable abilities. For example, he’s potty trained, he can fetch, and he will bark at intruders. What’s not to love? But no one wants to adopt Afry. Until he gets a heart-warming offer from someone unexpected…
Dear Dragon by Josh Funk
E FUN
For a school project, George becomes pen pals with Blaise. Their letters back and forth share typical news about their lives. Just like typical pen pals, right? In a fun twist that readers have known all along, George and Blaise meet at a picnic and are surprised to discover that George is a human and Blaise is a dragon.
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt
E DAY
Hilarious letters from individual coloring crayons express their many frustrations with Duncan’s crayon usage. Their concerns include (but are not limited to) being neglected, being used only to color certain objects, and being exhausted from overwork. What will Duncan do now that the crayons have explained their frustrations?
XO, Ox: A Love Story by Adam Rex
E REX
Older readers will appreciate the humor in this side-splitting exchange of letters between love-struck Ox and his crush, Gazelle, who does not return Ox’s affections. No matter what insults Gazelle writes back to Ox, Ox remains oblivious and devoted. Be sure to look closely at the illustrations’ details, especially at the end.
A Letter to My Teacher by Deborah Hopkinson
E HOP
In this picture book, the narrator writes a letter to her second grade teacher to thank her for being a source of endless support and understanding when she was a student. She fondly recalls the patience with which her teacher approached her reading challenges and difficulty sitting still. The story serves as a sweet reminder to students that they can tackle the obstacles they face — and that their teacher is there to help.
