Letters to Anyone and Everyone
What’s inside...
Award-winning author Toon Tellegen has crafted a mesmerizing collection of short stories centered around poetic letters written by animal protagonists. Each tale is filled with dreamlike, philosophical, and fantastical elements, creating a world where creatures can mail letters to the sun and receive a response, write a letter to a letter, and make things come true just by writing them down. The whimsical and charming fables are beautifully complemented by Jessica Ahlberg’s alluring artwork.
Age
5-8
Length
156 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Squirrel Squirrelly
The Ant
Discussion points
What kind of letter would you write if you could send it to anyone or anything? Why?
How do you think the characters felt when they received their letters?
If you received a letter from an animal, what would you want it to say?
What did you learn about the different ways characters express their thoughts and feelings?
How can we use letters to connect with people who are far away or different from us?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own experiences with letter writing to spark your child's interest. Ask open-ended questions to encourage your child to think deeply about the characters and their stories. Emphasize the emotional aspects of the letters and how they might influence the characters' relationships. Encourage your child to imagine their own letters and recipients, fostering creativity and empathy. Share a letter-writing activity where you both write letters to each other or to a fictional character from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The book showcases various animals writing letters to each other, expressing feelings and thoughts. This demonstrates the importance of understanding others' perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of considering other people’s feelings and viewpoints, helping them build stronger relationships.
Example Lesson: The importance of communication
Explanation: The characters in the book stay connected through letters, highlighting how communication can bridge distances and differences.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to express themselves through writing and verbal communication, essential skills for their academic and personal lives.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The unusual scenarios and imaginative events in the letters spark creativity.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to use their imagination to think creatively, a skill that can enhance problem-solving and innovation in real-life situations.
Example Lesson: Joy of Reading and Writing
Explanation: The delightful narratives and the act of letter writing promote the enjoyment found in reading and creating stories.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to engage in reading and writing as enjoyable and fulfilling activities, boosting literacy and self-expression.