Snail Mail
Who receives handwritten letters anymore? Snail Mail, by award-winning author Samantha Berger, evokes indescribable feelings of nostalgia—a pleasant reminder of past Pen Pals and a longing for simpler days.
In Snail Mail, a girl handwrites a special letter to a boy she loves who lives across the country, and it can only be delivered by snail mail. Responsible for the delivery of this noteworthy letter is a quartet of amusing snails.
Julia Patton’s watercolor illustrations are bright and brilliantly witty, providing an exceptional complement to the text. This award-winning illustrator paints an endearing hint of comedy to characters Gail Snail, Dale Snail, Colonel McHale Snail, and Umberto.
As they prepare for their journey across the country, each snail is ready for duty, equipped with protective gear and 19 snail emergency essentials to handle any type of severe weather which include Night Vision Goggles (√), Folding Umbrella (√), Snail Lunch Snacks (√), and Thermos (√) to name just a few.
Adhering to the Snail Mail Promise “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor hail will stop a snail from bringing the mail” guarantees their unwavering loyalty to deliver the mail since Return to Sender Address Unknown is nonexistent in the Snail Mail Employee Handbook.
Snailing across United States soil to reach their destination, these dedicated snails pass well-known landmarks. Shifting from slow to super slo mo, they appreciate the scenery, a reminder for us to slow down and take time to smell the flowers.
The Snail Mail crew finally accomplishes their monumental task of finding the boy and handing him the letter. The expression on the boy’s face says it all.
There is a degree of satisfaction in receiving a handwritten letter by snail-paced mail rather than immediate delivery by electronic mail. Think of your name being penned in bold letters on front of the envelope and/or a certain embellishment designed especially for you on the back of the envelope. It takes some time to receive a handwritten letter by snail mail, but receiving one is truly (usually) worth the wait.
In Snail Mail, the author teaches children and adults that determination is crucial in accomplishing goals. And just ahead of us is a reward for the completion of a job well done.
Snail Mail encourages both young and old to rediscover the joy in sending and receiving handwritten letters, which make for lasting and memorable impressions. In addition, children will be delighted by the colorful illustrations throughout the storybook—especially the humorous renderings of four tried and true, hard-working snails.