This past summer, I gave a presentation on the many wonders of letter writing. Whether at school or home, letter writing is a great way to connect young writers with a real audience. Here are a few books that feature letters and may serve as inspiration for your readers/writers:
Picture Books...
Dear Daddy by Philippe Dupasquier: Daddy’s little girl writes a letter to him while he’s gone at sea. Detailed illustrations both writer and reader hard at work and play.
Corduroy Writes a Letter by Alison Inches: Corduroy shows Lisa that writing letters to express your opinion can make a difference.
The Secret Friend by Joyce Dunbar: Panda feels a little hurt after helping his best friend Gander write a letter to Gander's secret friend.
Dear Bunny by Micheala Morgan: In this bunny love story, Tino and Teeny leave letters for one another in a hollow log.
K-8 Novels...
Edwina Victorious by Susan Bonners: Edwina follows in the footsteps of her namesake great-aunt when she begins to write letters to the mayor about community problems and poses as Edwina the elder.
Dear Napoleon, I Know You're Dead, But by Elvira Woodruff: When he discovers a secret courier service that can deliver letters to people in other times and places exists at the nursing home where his grandfather lives, Marty begins to exchange letters with Napoleon,Van Gogh, Edison, and Lincoln.
A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt by C. Coco De Young: Based on actual events, this story tells how eleven-year-old Maggie Bandini writes a letter to Eleanor asking for help to save her family's home during the Great Depression.
Novels for Teens and Adults...
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows: While researching a new book, author Juliet Ashton discovers friends and life through letters. This book is one of personal favorites!
Posterity: Letters of Great Americans to Their Children by Dorie McCullough Lawson: Mom and Dad had something to say - and now we can read it too!