In a modern world of emails, text messages, DMs, and video calls, it can be rare to experience the excitement of receiving a handwritten letter from a friend, especially for little ones. Yet while there may be speedier ways to send messages to loved ones, it can be fun for kids to learn how to send letters to their friends and family the old-fashioned way. In that spirit, we’ve gathered a list of adorable children’s books that celebrate the joy of a handwritten letter and how much it can mean to send and receive one.
Like You, Like Me by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw
In this charming tale of international friendship, two children — Tulsi of New Mexico and Vanessa of Tanzania — become pen pals through a library program. At first, the pair marvel at the differences in their lives. One lives in the mountains, the other by the sea. One loves dancing in the rain, while the other prefers to stay indoors during showers. Yet, as the kids connect, they find that they have more in common than expected, and suddenly, the distance between them doesn’t seem so vast. Beautifully illustrated and with a powerful theme of global community, this lovely book shows how we can understand more about the world by connecting with another person through letters.
The Jolly Postman: Or, Other People’s Letters by Janet & Allan Ahlberg
What do the creatures and characters of classic nursery stories get in the mail? An apology letter from Goldilocks to the Three Bears? A postcard to the Giant from Jack? What if you could look inside their envelopes and read their correspondence yourself? A perennial favorite among curious readers, this fantastic peek into a postman’s bag is filled with fun surprises and clever details. Children can pull real physical letters, postcards, and catalogs from the book’s envelopes to find out what witches and wolves get in the mail. By the end, kiddos will be curious as to what treasures might appear in their own mailboxes (we can explain bills and junk mail to them later).
The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles by Michelle Cuevas, illustrated by Erin E. Stead
In a small house by the sea lives the Uncorker of Ocean Bottles, a man who has dedicated himself to finding messages in bottles and ensuring that they reach their rightful destination. Over the years, he’s brought their recipients news of sadness and joy, friendship and love, and he dreams that one day a bottle will hold a message just for him. While this title may focus on a somewhat unconventional method of delivering letters, this enchanting story and its delicate illustrations are filled with the promise of community and friendship that written letters bring, no matter their avenue of arrival.
Snail Mail by Samantha Berger, illustrated by Julia Patton
What’s the difference between virtual communication and physical letters? Well, while the first may be speedy, some things can only truly be brought by snail mail. For instance, a handcrafted and sweetly scented card from a child in California to one in New York? Such things could never be conveyed through code, and so the Snail Mail service — made up of literal snails — is on the job. This delightful story is bursting with heart and humor, but it also teaches about the virtues and rewards of patience, especially when waiting for a letter from a friend.
Growing Season by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Growing up can be tough, especially when you are the two smallest kids in class. Yet El and Jo are the best of friends and find that they are the perfect size to share everything — until Jo goes through a sudden growth spurt in spring. When the girls part for summer, promising to exchange letters, El wonders if Jo will outgrow her the way she did her clothes. A gentle yet deep story of feeling inadequate, how friendships transform over time, and learning to be patient and loving with ourselves, this sweet tale also offers an important lesson on how letters to friends can keep us connected when we’re apart.
Sincerely, Emerson: A Girl, Her Letter, and the Helpers All Around Us by Emerson Weber, illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett
Based on a viral true story, this title centers around a titular little girl (and author!) who absolutely loves writing letters. In fact, she writes so many that she decides to write a letter of thanks to her mail carrier, Doug, to thank him for doing such an amazing job. When a grateful Doug shares the letter with his colleagues, it begins an unexpected outpouring of love, support, and connection from letter carriers across the country. Not only a wonderful example of how letters inspire gratitude, Sincerely, Emerson, also encourages readers to appreciate all the “helpers” that surround our lives — both seen and unseen — and the work they do every day to keep our world running.
It’s always a treat to receive a letter in the mail, and these six picture books are a great way to get kids excited about writing one of their own. Still, the important thing is reaching out to connect with those we love, no matter the method by which the letter arrives. Happy writing to you and yours!
For more picture book recommendations, check out this article on picks for little cat lovers.
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