Snail Mail by Samantha Berger and Julia Patton

Snail Mail 
by Samantha Berger 
Illustrated by Julia Patton
Published May, 2018
Running Press Kids
32 pages
Fiction
Hardcover
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary
A long, long time ago, before email and texting, the mail was delivered in a much slower way-it was called Snail Mail (because some thought it was delivered by a snail). Although it took much longer, everyone agreed that letters were a little more special when they were delivered by Snail Mail. They might be handwritten. They might include a drawing. They might even contain a surprise inside! One such letter was sent by a Girl to the Boy she loved, and it was up to four special snails to deliver her card across the country. The snails trek across the country-through desert heat and dangerous blizzards, across mountains and plains, through cities and forests-and along the way, they find that taking time to slow down and look around makes the journey all the more beautiful.

Snail Mail's playful and educational story encourages kids to have slow living, and to approach life with determination and wonder. Julia Patton's rich illustrations showcase America's diverse terrain and national monuments from coast to coast. Kids and parents alike will delight in this celebration of America's beauty and the power of a simple handwritten letter.

My Thoughts

This fun book takes a silly look at "snail mail". These dedicated snails know that some things are just better send through snail mail and will stop at nothing to deliver their precious packages. They recite the Snail Mail promise, "Neither rain, nor snow, nor heat, nor hail will stop a snail from bringing the mail.". The 4 snails in the book work together to slowly navigate deserts, canyons, maintains and forests. I like how they stop to notice important and interesting sights along the way. This serves as a reminder to kids and adults that sometimes we may miss important things it we are always rushing. 
The illustrations are great! Each snail is unique and has their own personality. Julia Patton pays careful attention to detail and each page offers something new for the reader to discover. 

Image from http://www.samanthaberger.com/books_snail_mail.html

It may be hard for many kids to realize that, not too long ago, to send someone an item, card or letter people had to send things through the postal service or what is commonly referred to as "snail mail".  After reading this book it will be almost impossible NOT to send a handwritten letter to someone special. 

I would recommend it for grades PreK-2. 

See what others have to say about this book:

Kirkus-Starred review

Publishers Weekly

Kate Reviews Books