Preschool Post Office Books That Deliver!

Young children are fascinated by the concept of mail. Their eyes light up when the mail carrier comes to the door, or even better yet, has something special just for them! So it is no surprise that there are so many preschool post office books out there. Here are some of the best ones!

The Lost Package by Richard Ho

Everyone loves getting a package from a friend (or online shopping!), but what happens when a package gets lost? This book shows all the package’s steps, including the fantastic maze-like conveyor belts at the large postal offices. At the very last moment, the box takes a tumble and has to find a different way to its destination.

Extending the Learning: In the story, the package has a very unique decoration added to the box. Provide cardboard boxes at the art center, along with stickers, markers, and more. Encourage students to add embellishments of their own.

The Jolly Postman by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

This little book follows a jolly postman as he makes his rounds – around fairy tale land! At each home, he stops and shares a cup of tea with the recipient.

Extending the Learning: Use this book along with a unit on fairy tales and encourage students to name each fairy tale as they are introduced to it in the book.

Snail Mail by Samantha Berger

This adorable book takes the term “snail mail” and runs with it! Four courageous snails deliver a love letter from one side of the country to the other.

Extending the Learning: Play different styles of music and encourage children to move slowly like a snail, fast like a jet plane, and more!

The Post Office Book: Mail and How It Moves by Gail Gibbons

This author gives a bit of history about mail. One of Gibbon’s simpler books, this one is very accessible for early learners and is full of information great for curious children!

Extending the Learning: The cover of this book looks like a stamp. Get different examples of stamps and show them to the students. Give them blank sheets of labels and have them create their very own “stamps” to use at the dramatic play center, preschool post office, or writing center!

Mail Trucks by Martin Harasymiw

Some students are fascinated by trucks and shout with glee when the mail truck, garbage truck, school busses, and more drive past the classroom windows. This book is especially made for those students! Detailed photos of mail trucks, small and large, inside and out, let students imagine themselves in the driver’s seat!

Extending the Learning: Watch the road with students and count the different types of vehicles that drive by during the day. Chart the answers using a simple pocket chart or graph. Discuss what they saw most, what drove by most infrequently, and what their favorites were.

Mail Carriers by Julie Murray or Delivering Your Mail: A Book About Mail Carriers by Ann Owen

Both of these books have simple, easy-to-read text for beginning readers and photos on each page. Either one is great for an introduction to mail carriers.

Extending the Learning: Invite your local mail carrier to talk to the students, or leave them a surprise in the mailbox by creating a bunch of thank you notes from the students.

It Came in the Mail by Ben Clanton

Liam, like most children, loves to get mail. His problem? He’s not getting any mail. He comes up with a creative solution, but what will happen when he gets a little too greedy?

Extending the Learning: Play a mailbox guessing game with the students. Hide a mystery item in the mailbox (or a regular box or bag) and give clues. Students take turns guessing what the item is.

My First Trip to the Post Office by Katie Kawa

This engaging book shows how a letter gets from one person to another in a way that young readers find both educational and enjoyable. This book follows a fictional child’s letter from the day it is written to the day it is delivered. Students follow along with bright illustrations and easy-to-read text as the letter goes on a journey.

Extending the Learning: Set up a preschool post office in the dramatic play center. Students love stamping, addressing, writing, and mailing letters in this center!

A Trip to the Post Office with Sesame Street by Christy Peterson

Part of an amazing “field trip” series, this book uses the adorable and familiar puppets from Sesame Street to highlight all the behind-the-scenes action at a post office. It even has review questions at the end to fully connect students to what they have learned.

Extending the Learning: While not every class can take a field trip to the post office, they CAN take a field trip to the mailbox! Encourage students to write letters to themselves or someone in their families. Help the students address and stamp the envelopes. Next, take a little field trip to the mailbox to put the mail in for the next pick-up. Students will be so excited when they receive their own mail!

Whether it’s for a community helpers unit or a standalone activity, students love learning about mail and mail carriers. Without a doubt, these post office books definitely deliver joy and learning to the classroom!