Snail Mail

March 19, 2018
Four snails carry a letter “made by a Girl who loved a Boy” from Santa Monica to New York City in this appropriately leisurely paced tale about the pleasures of taking one’s time. After Colonel McHale Snail issues the directive to “Go!,” the snails inch ahead, chanting the Snail Mail Promise: “Neither rain, nor snow, nor heat, nor hail will stop a snail from bringing the mail.” In measured prose that seems to mimic the letter carriers’ pace, Berger (Monster’s New Undies) tracks the snails across various terrain: “And even though their progress was very slow... there was something special about slowing down... to look around... and notice... what an amazing place the country was.” Patton (The Very Very Very Long Dog) works mainly in light, wispy tones—as though the scenes are filtered through a thin layer of snail slime—which makes some of the snails difficult to decipher. Exceptions include a spread revealing a double rainbow, sunset, and lime-green meadow, and another featuring postcardlike images of some iconic sites (Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone). Readers are rewarded when the couriers finally hand the Boy the letter (though some may be disappointed that its contents aren’t shared), after which the snails receive their own letter containing four gold medals “for good service.” Ages 4−8. Author’s agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Illustrator’s agent: Alli Brydon, Bright USA.

April 1, 2018

PreS-Gr 1-Four brave mail snails are tasked with the delivery of a very special letter and prove on their journey that moving slowly has its own virtues. The missive, written by a girl to her boy crush, is handwritten and sealed with a kiss. To complete their mission, the snails must journey through deserts and forests, and rain, wind, and snow, but they are determined. The digital illustrations evoke a scrapbook and postcard filled cross-country journey, with four well outfitted, detailed, and sometimes goofy snail mail carriers. The text, especially the Snail Mail Motto, will remind readers that some important things take a while to complete and that it's worth taking time to appreciate the beauty around them. This delightfully silly interpretation of snail mail will also appeal to adults wishing for the slower pace and handmade charm of pen and paper correspondence. VERDICT A secondary purchase for schools and libraries, suitable for storytime or one-on-one sharing.-Laken Hottle, Providence Community Library

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 15, 2018
The Snail Mail Promise: "Neither rain, nor snow, nor heat, nor hail will stop a snail from bringing the mail."After asserting that before "e-mail and sending, clicking and texting," letters were sent by Snail Mail, the text introduces four snail mail carriers: Dale Snail, Gail Snail, Col. McHale Snail, and Umbérto. The tongue-in-cheek text goes on to say that people agreed that certain types of mail were made more special by Snail Mail. When a girl in Santa Monica who loves a boy in New York makes him a card, the snails are determined to deliver the letter. They creep into position under the letter and begin their slow, arduous journey. The art shows irresistible snails with eyeballs on stalks protruding above their clothed soft parts, shells exposed to the weather. There is a nod to cinematic conventions as the snail trail, represented by dashes in red ink, winds from the deserts of the West through the country's heartland and into urban New York. Engaging watercolors offer varied landscapes and postcardlike views of famous landmarks. Another scene shows the snails briefly hitching a ride with sparrows. Both children have sweet, brownish faces. The absurdity of the premise--and repeated promise--is humorously upheld throughout. Art and text take a literal definition and do a great job of running--er, creeping--with it. (Picture book. 3-7)

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