The Lonely Mailman

March 27, 2017
A badger mailman rides his bicycle through the forest all day, delivering letters to the local animals. Through the letters, the animals—handsomely dressed in sweaters, button-down shirts, and eyeglasses—resolve misunderstandings, exchange invitations to dinner or tea, and form friendships. One letter reveals that Rabbit is eager to join Bear at the lake but doesn’t know how to swim. “Dear Rabbit, I’ve had a great idea for when I’m bathing in the lake,” begins Bear’s reply. “You can climb up on my back, just as if I were a big old boat.” Back in the badger’s den, readers learn that the mailman is actually writing the letters. In lush, richly rendered paintings, Galán (It’s a Pain to Be a Princess!) creates a enchanting forest community; crisp blue day gives way to a spectacular sunset and a night lit by candles that cast a furious orange glow. Though readers may have logistical questions about the mailman’s altruistic scheme and how he’s so aware of the animals’ needs and troubles, Isern (Bear Wants to Fly) makes plain that the first steps to building community can be as simple as reaching out. Ages 6–8.

Starred review from March 1, 2017
A solitary mail carrier brings more than just letters to a forest community.From early morning to shadowy twilight, an aging, bespectacled letter carrier--depicted in Montero Galan's forest scenes as a portly, uniformed badger on a bike--quietly delivers to the forest's burrows, dens, and nests. The notes--all typed and printed in boxes to separate them from the narrative text--offer complaints, apologies, reconciliations, or offers of friendship between animal neighbors. Hedgehog apologizes to Squirrel for an accidental jab, and Squirrel suggests in return having dinner together and a nice chat; Woodpecker's tapping keeps Dormouse up, and Woodpecker replies with a promise to find another tree; Rabbit would love to join Bear in the pond but is afraid of water, so Bear offers a back to climb on, "just as if I were a big old boat." At day's end the weary letter carrier goes home...to spend the evening typing out the very letters he's delivering. Then one day he finds a letter in his bag addressed to him. It's a thank-you note from the animals, who follow it up by gathering that night to heap him with appreciation. Emotionally, Montero Galan begins the letter carrier's tale with an orangey-red dawn and ends with a rosy-red candlelit scene. Although daytime scenes are dominated by blue skies and green grass, the artist unifies the palette throughout with such touches as the red wings of butterflies and red, autumnal leaves on the trees. The effect is to suffuse the pages with warmth. A loving tribute to problem-solvers, quarrel menders, and peacemakers. (Picture book. 6-8)

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 2-Against the orange sky of sunrise, an industrious mailman (a badger) climbs onto his bicycle and begins his day. Once his bag is emptied, the content of each typed letter hovers above the forest animal recipient: apologies, invitations, cleared up misunderstandings-all thoughtful and full of feeling. Through it all, the mailman doesn't say very much. His solitary aura gives the impression that he is a lonely figure who has little effect on his surroundings-until readers follow him home at the end of the day and discover a typewriter on his table. The warmly painted illustrations enhance this sweet mystery, and the close-up of the badger realizing that his secret is out and appreciated is especially heartfelt. VERDICT A satisfying tale about a character so woven into the fabric of the day-to-day that the full extent of his impact goes unnoticed until, thanks to an observant mouse, it is recognized. A lovely choice for most shelves.-Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2017
Grades K-2 Every day, an industrious badger busily delivers kind letters to all the forest creatures. The letters are simple but meaningful, and they encourage friendships and community among the animals: Dear Squirrel, Sorry about pricking you yesterday when I bumped into you at the market. To make up for it, come over for dinner at eight, and don't be late! The mailman spreads kindness with his deliveries, but as the forest animals mingle, they realize not only has the mailman been writing the letters himself, but also that they know nothing about their good-natured neighbor, and there's only one thing to do: write him a letter. Isern's cute-and-fuzzy story includes the text of the letters, which are full of invitations, apologies, and considerate sentiments. Galan's whimsical, richly painted scenes of expressive, nattily dressed forest denizens exude warmth, and as the sun sets on the mailman's day, the sky is filled with brilliant color, and the foreground scenes are thrown into sharp silhouette. A sweet story of generosity and sowing the seeds of friendship.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)