Mule Train Mail - Softcover

Craig Brown was raised in a small farming community, and his art reflects his experiences growing up in the rural Midwest. Craig has illustrated many children's books, including THE TALKING BIRD AND THE STORY POUCH (Harper) and CITY SOUNDS (Greenwillow). He lives in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Visit Craig online at www.craigbrownbooks.com.

PreSchool-Grade 2—In this engaging text, Brown relates the daily trip made by Anthony the Postman from the top of the Grand Canyon to the village of Supai far below on the canyon floor. Wearing "a cowboy hat, chaps, and spurs," he leads a train of mules carrying "letters and packages, along with groceries, water, clothes, and even computers" down the steep trail through all types of weather conditions, for "the mail must go through." An author's note gives additional details that children will appreciate, including the fact that it takes three hours to make the eight-mile trip from the south rim to the village, located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation. He also describes the expedition he made with Anthony Paya, lead muleteer, to appreciate firsthand the journey and the rigors of the landscape. Brown's wonderful pastel and colored pencil illustrations are a testament to the time he spent on the trail. Readers will feel that they are experiencing the heat and dust as well as the beautiful flora and fauna of the region. Shifting perspectives (the book must be held vertically for trail scenes) add to the drama by providing a sense of the canyon's awesome size while close-ups of the mules highlight the animals' important role. A fascinating and informative addition.—Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA
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