• Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • FAQ
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
  • Subscribe
  • Community
  • Books
    • Books for Children by Age
    • Book Lists
    • Holiday Books and Activities
  • Reading Ideas
    • Babies
    • Toddlers
    • Preschoolers
    • Kindergarteners & Early Elementary
  • Writing Ideas
  • Parental Involvement: Building Partnerships
  • Start Here!
    • WELCOME TO THE GROWING BOOK BY BOOK COMMUNITY
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
    • FAQ
      • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
  • Shop
  • Home
  • Book Lists
    • Books for Children by Age
    • Book Lists
    • Holiday Books and Activities
  • Book Activities
  • Early Literacy
    • Alphabet Activities
    • Circle Time Activities
    • Phonological Awareness Activities

Growing Book by Book

  • Family Involvement
    • Start a Family Dinner Book Club
  • Start Here
  • Store
discovering with babies playing with toddlers exploring with preschoolers building with beginning readers

Bring joy and play into children's lives through books.

Yes, please!
You are here: Home / All categories / We’ve Got Book Mail (Build Excitement for Books)

We’ve Got Book Mail (Build Excitement for Books)

April 16, 2020 • 14 Comments

Sharing is caring!

80 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
creating enthusiasm for reading aloud

Are you looking for ways to create enthusiasm for books and listening to read-alouds?  I’ve got a super-easy idea that will generate interest in your next read-aloud each day.  It’s called book mail and it’s one of my ninja tips for getting kids excited about the book I’m about to share with them.

creating enthusiasm for reading aloud

Book Mail

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

How it Works

Each day a special delivery arrives to your classroom via a special mail person or from a mailbox hanging outside your door.  Inside a specially prepared envelope will hold your day’s read-aloud.

book mail

The envelope has a special stamp that gives a clue to the story that is inside.  Sometimes, there will be clues to reveal to the students inside the envelope too before you unveil the book.

envelope, book, and artifacts from a book

Students will love to guess the type of book that is inside based on the clues.  Then, you reveal the book and the children will be super eager to hear the story.

How to Create Your Own Book Special Delivery Package

It’s super easy to create your book mail vessel.  It’s the package that will hold your read-aloud each day.

creating interest in read alouds

Materials Needed

  • a large plastic mailer (white works just fine but you may want to get a few colors too for variety)
  • printable download of stamps (see free printable below)
  • permanent marker
  • masking tape
  • mailbox (optional)

Set-Up

  1. Address the envelope to your class and choose a return address.
  2. Download, print, cut, and laminate stamps (free printable below)
  3. Store your stamps in a small bag.
  4. Attach your mailbox near the door of your classroom.

You are ready to start your book mail project.

Before the students arrive, select your read-aloud for the day.  There are lots of suggestions below.  Then, decide which stamp best fits your book choice and attach it to the envelope with tape.   You may choose to add a few clues to the package too. Do not seal the package. That way you can reuse the envelope each day.

For example, if you are reading Corduroy for the day, choose the bear stamp.  You might place a button in the envelope as a clue also before you reveal the book inside.

Place the book mail in your mailbox or specially designated place.  Right before it is time to read, allow one of the students to receive the mail.  I like to make this a class job.  Occasionally, you might have a special person (parent, principal, former student, etc.) deliver the package to your classroom instead.

Bring the package to your gathering area and discuss the stamp and any clues inside.  Then, reveal the book and enjoy the read-aloud.

Get the Book Mail Stamp Printable

images of icons on stamps

Grab the printable stamps for your envelopes.  It’s a thank you gift when you become a free VIP member of the Growing Book by Book community.  Plus, you’ll never miss our new posts.

Click here to subscribe

Selecting the Best Read-Alouds to Put in Your Book Mail

Now that your special delivery envelope is ready, it’s time to put it to use. Selecting the just right read-aloud to put in that envelope is key especially when you are reading to a group of students.

The books have to pass my BREAD test.  They have to have bold pictures so everyone can see.  They have to take the perfect amount of time for your audience’s attention, etc.

Here are some book lists that pass the BREAD test.

Circle Time Books

Rhyming Books

Stories to Get Kids Moving and Grooving

Interactive Books for Preschoolers and Up

Interactive Books for Toddlers

I can’t wait to hear how your special delivery book mail project goes.  Share your pictures on Instagram and tag me @growingbookbybook .  I’m so excited for you!

Did you get your free list of Books Kids Will Beg You to Read?

Get It

Sharing is caring!

80 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

14 Comments Filed Under: All categories, Book Activities

About Jodie Rodriguez

Jodie Rodriguez is a mom of two young boys and an early childhood/elementary educator with over 20 years of experience. Jodie's passion is helping parents, teachers, librarians and anyone else interested in nurturing and reaching ALL of our youngest growing readers.

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published.

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Anonymous says

    August 20, 2022 at 2:57 pm

    I used it my classroom. The kids wanted to know who picked the books to send. So I made up a name… Wanda. Wanda often wrote notes to the kids and tell the kids why she chose the book or Give them stickers for being great listeners, etc. They often wrote her back and wanted to put their letters in the envelope. Such fun!!

    Reply
    • Jodie Rodriguez says

      August 20, 2022 at 6:16 pm

      I’m so glad it was a hit! And, I love that the students wrote back. That’s a wonderful way to make the experience even more literacy rich. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  2. Lisa Ratcliff says

    August 26, 2021 at 11:55 pm

    I have been using the book MAILING my class and it has been a huge success.
    I was wondering if you have additional book mail stamps.
    Thank you

    Reply
    • Jodie Rodriguez says

      September 2, 2021 at 12:22 pm

      I don’t have additional ones at this time. But, if there are some you are looking for specifically, let me know and I’ll see what I can add.

      Reply
  3. Lisa Ratcliff says

    October 22, 2020 at 8:01 pm

    I listened to uou on Soar to Success this year. I was so EXCITED to locate your website.

    Reply
    • Jodie Rodriguez says

      October 25, 2020 at 8:15 am

      Thank you so much! Welcome, Lisa.

      Reply
  4. Tracy avakian says

    July 27, 2020 at 7:44 am

    I love this idea!!!

    Reply
  5. Robin Winkle says

    July 24, 2020 at 9:50 am

    I lovE this idea and cannot wait to use it. Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Jodie Rodriguez says

      July 26, 2020 at 6:25 pm

      I’m so happy to help!

      Reply
  6. Anabel says

    July 19, 2020 at 9:37 pm

    Loved the mailbox idea!!

    Reply
  7. Sandy Ryan says

    July 19, 2020 at 8:20 am

    I love this idea! I can see using it daily to introduce our daily activities. Thank you!

    Reply
  8. Sue Williams says

    July 18, 2020 at 11:33 am

    I love this book mail idea!

    Reply
  9. aNTONIA mARTINEZ says

    July 18, 2020 at 11:28 am

    THank YOU FOR SHARING THIS IDEA. i LOVED IT AND WILL BE USING IT THIS YEAR TO BEGIN MY VIRTUAL TEACHING. CAN’T WAIT TO ADD THOSE SPRINKLES!!!!

    Reply
  10. Mary Ellen Moore says

    July 17, 2020 at 7:38 pm

    Thanks for sharing such great ideas.

    Reply

What can we help you find?

Subscribe to Growing Book by Book

lead magnet for growing book bybook
Welcome to Growing Book by Book!  Learn about the creator, Jodie Rodriguez.

Find More

alphabet activities
book lists for children
circle time button

Set Up for Circle Time Success

month by month circle time songs


Copyright ©2023, Growing Book by Book. All Rights Reserved. Custom design by Pixel Me Designs | Privacy Policy