It Came in the Mail

March 21, 2016
Liam, a wide-eyed, freckle-faced kid with brushy hair, wishes for more mail. He writes a letter to his mailbox: “I would like to get something in the mail. Something big! Please! Love, Liam.” The results are spectacular. “When Liam looked inside, he was met by a blast of fire. A dragon had come in the mail!” That might have satisfied some children, but Liam wants more, and he gets it, as a fountain of odd objects and cheerful creatures erupts from his mailbox (some with their own in-jokes, like the snail who says, “Je m’appelle Wes Cargo!”). Clanton’s story shapes up like a Sorcerer’s Apprentice–type tale that will end badly, but Liam generously distributes his mailbox wealth to other children, who are delighted. In keeping with the postal theme, Clanton (Something Extraordinary) draws on postcards, envelopes, and writing paper, his big-eyed, amiable creatures assuring readers that everything’s under control. In this genial twist on a fable of greed, Liam receives everything he wants and becomes a better person for it—and he gets to keep his dragon, too. Ages 4–8. Agent: Marietta Zacker, Nancy Gallt Literary Agency.

April 1, 2016
Sending mail to...a mailbox? Clever! Like all kids, Liam loves getting mail. Like most kids in the usual course of things, he doesn't get any. To fix this, the freckle-faced, boot-clad tyke decides to write--not to himself (a surprise twist, though some readers will wonder why this solution doesn't dawn on him)--but to his pitifully empty mailbox. Doing so yields much more than Liam bargained for: accompanied by rattling and mad cacophony, the mailbox produces a kindly dragon! Thrilled by this amazing result, Liam continues his very polite entreaties. And does the mailbox ever deliver for him: items beyond Liam's wildest imaginings emerge until a literal flood makes him realize he needs to share his considerable bounty with mail-starved kids everywhere. In the end, Liam discovers sending's better than receiving. But he does hang on to that dragon--and a horse his African-American best pal, Jamel, has taken a shine to. This cute but thin story will encourage kids to think about sharing and how to increase their own mail intake; there's the added benefit of subtle, courteous friendly-letter-writing tips. The colored-pencil illustrations are lively, humorous, and child-appealing. Liam is white; the several depicted recipients of his largesse are nicely (and in the case of the extraterrestrial, extremely) multicultural. Surprisingly, no snails included. Still, more fun than bills and junk mail. (Picture book. 4-8)

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June 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-Liam almost gets his freckles scorched off when he opens the mailbox at the end of his driveway and meets Sizzlefritz for the first time. Once the dragon's flames die down, readers see Liam has a toothy smile because he's finally gotten something in the mail. In his thank you letter, he writes, "You are the best mailbox ever!" Once Liam learns the secret to receiving mail (and it's not what you think), he is bombarded with surprises like a funny bone that tells jokes, a whale stamped "air whale," and a wearable red mustache. In the process of finding homes for all his mail, he learns that he enjoys sending things more than receiving them. Against a backdrop of lined paper and burned envelopes, the pencil and watercolor characters say things like "diddly-squat," "krink," and "squibble, wibble, whoop!" Clanton's latest picture book reminds readers that the mailbox is and will always be a magical invention, no matter where you live in the world. VERDICT Storytimes and classroom units on community helpers will be enlivened by a read-aloud of this selection.-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, AB, Canada

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