One of These Days

Julie Douglas brought back a flood of childhood memories when she wrote about parents teaching children to write letters. I remember how Mom taught me to practice circles and strokes with a pencil and paper, just as she had learned. Wonderful stuff! Read it! -Michael Bouman

One of These Days
By Julie Douglas, Family Reading Specialist

One of these days,

I'm gonna sit down

and write a long letter

To all the good friends I've known

                                 ~ Neil Young

When was the last time you received a letter?  You remember a letter, right? Comes in an envelope, bears a colorful stamp.  In this age of instant communication through poorly punctuated emails and cell phones that we can wear right on our heads, the letter seems a bit old fashioned.

December is a natural time to think about letter writing. After all, December 7 was "Letter Writing Day." Perhaps you know someone who is busy composing a note destined for the North Pole.  Many of you may be preparing to write your annual holiday letter or looking forward to receiving the "year in review" from friends and family.

What do the children in your life know about letter writing? Do they correspond with a pen pal? Have they received a letter from a special friend or relative?

Think of letter writing as a tool for practicing storytelling.  Encourage your child to look at the events in his daily life as fodder for a story.  Awaken the muse with an assortment of colorful stationary and interesting stamps.  Help her broaden her vocabulary by moving beyond, "How are you? I am fine."  Each of us has a story to tell…many stories actually. 

Need a little inspiration?  Check out some of these children's books that focus on the theme of writing and receiving letters.



Mailing May by Michael O. Tunnell, illustrated by Ted Rand (HarperTrophy; New Ed edition, 2000)

When little May's parents can't afford to buy a train ticket for their daughter, they mail her to her grandparents' house.  Rand's warm and nostalgic illustrations add richness to this true story.





The Jolly Postman by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Janet Ahlberg (L,B Kids; 20th edition 2006)

Favorite fairy tale characters get letters (in real envelopes!) in this clever classic.  The Jolly Postman is a delight for anyone who has ever secretly wanted to take a peek at someone else's mail.  (Check out The Jolly Christmas Postman by Ahlberg for more fun with letters.)




The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman by Darcy Pattison, illustrated by Joe Cepeda (Harcourt Children's Books, 2003)

When Tameka's Uncle Ray is unable to travel to see her, he sends a wooden man to California instead.  Luckily, Oliver K. Woodman makes many friends along the way.  The story of Oliver's trip is told through postcards sent to Uncle Ray from people who help Oliver reach his destination.  More of Oliver's adventures can be found in Searching for Oliver K. Woodman.






Dear Mrs. La Rue: Letters From Obedience School by Mark Teague (Scholastic Press; 1st ed edition, 2002)

Anyone who knows me knows this is one of my all-time faves (I have a stuffed Ike atop the bookcase in my office.)  Poor Ike pleads through a series of letters to be released from obedience school by describing the deplorable conditions that he is enduring. Ike's mistreatment continues in Detective LaRue: Letters from the Investigation.






Flat Stanley (picture book edition) by Jeff Brown, illustrated by Scott Nash (HarperCollins, 2006)

Based on the 1964 chapter book by Brown, this picture book version introduces young children to Flat Stanley.  Flattened by a falling bulletin board, Stanley finds himself able to do many new things…including traveling through the mail!






A Letter to Amy by Ezra Jack Keats (Puffin, 1998)
Peter (of The Snowy Day and Whistle for Willie) sends a letter to a special friend.  Told in Keats' gentle voice and paired with his brightly colored collages, A Letter to Amy is another Keats classic.