Mule Train Mail

by Craig Brown, Craig Brown (Illustrator)

Overview

When cars were invented, the US Postal Service said goodbye to animal-powered deliveries forever—or did it? There's one town in the States that still receives their mail by mule! Meet Anthony Paya, who leads a train of mules on a daily three-hour trek down into the Grand Canyon to bring mail to the townspeople of Supai.

Full of authentic Western details about Paya's one-of-a-kind job and magnificent workplace, this beautifully illustrated journey will fill readers with wonder and respect for this unique American landscape. Back matter includes further information about the hazards of working this mail route and author-illustrator Craig Brown's journey with the mule train to Supai.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781580891882
Publisher:	Charlesbridge
Publication date:	07/01/2009
Pages:	36
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

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.

Editorial Reviews

In some remote pockets of Arizona, the postman wears a cowboy hat and leads a mule train. The front endpaper illustration traces the mail route through the Grand Canyon. At the south rim of the Canyon, boxes of mail are transferred from a postal service truck to the saddlepacks of Anthony the postman's six mules. He rides a horse and has an eager dog to help guide him along the zigzagging trail, full of sharp switchbacks. A succession of double-page spreads that need to be turned 90 degrees for proper viewing emphasizes the steep descent of the route. Deep mud, ice and flash floods make the trail treacherous, but never prevent Anthony from completing his route, which is narrated in a simple, concrete present tense. At length, the mule train reaches its destination, the village of Supai, tucked into a green valley, where Anthony unloads the mail and—because Supai is also Anthony's home—his family greets him. Brown's illustrations, in pastel and colored pencil, look appropriately sun-washed. informative as well as evocative, and told with crisp clarity.

—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

In dusty brown pastels, [Brown] draws a quietly fascinating picture of a rare way of life.
—The New York Times

Julie Just

PreS-Gr 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

School Library Journal

In some remote pockets of Arizona, the postman wears a cowboy hat and leads a mule train. The front endpaper illustration traces the mail route through the Grand Canyon. At the South Rim of the Canyon, boxes of mail are transferred from a Postal Service truck to the saddlepacks of Anthony the postman's six mules. He rides a horse and has an eager dog to help guide him along the zigzagging trail, full of sharp switchbacks. A succession of double-page spreads that need to be turned 90 degrees for proper viewing emphasizes the steep descent of the route. Deep mud, ice and flash floods make the trail treacherous, but never prevent Anthony from completing his route, which is narrated in a simple, concrete present tense. At length, the mule train reaches its destination, the village of Supai, tucked into a green valley, where Anthony unloads the mail and-because Supai is also Anthony's home-his family greets him. Brown's illustrations, in pastel and colored pencil, look appropriately sun-washed. Informative as well as evocative, and told with crisp clarity. (author's note) (Informational picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews