Mail by the Pail

Great Lakes Books Series

by Colin Bergel

In the port city of Manistee on the coast of Lake Michigan lives a girl named Mary. Mary's father is a sailor who works on a lake freighter called the Big Laker. The Big Laker delivers iron, stone, and coal to the many cities along the Great Lakes. Mary's father will not be home this year for his birthday and Mary wants to send him a card. But Mary's card can't be delivered by a mail carrier like other letters. Her father gets his mail by a pail!

This is a delightful story that illustrates the mail delivery system for Great Lakes freighters. The J. W. Westcott Company operates the mailboat for the U.S. Postal Service marine post office in Detroit ―the only mailboat that delivers mail to freighters while they are moving. The colorful pictures and expressive words in Mail by the Pail will interest young readers as well as anyone living in the states that border the Great Lakes.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2000

Reviews

[Lenore Kuipers-Cummins]

When I read this book I found out about "mail by the pail" which I didn't even know about. I know a bit about our Great Lakes, but had no idea that this was taking place. But of coarse it would...otherwise how did sailors ever get their mail? It also discusses when the sailors get to see their families.

It all started with Mr. John W. Westcott in 1874, when he started a delivery service by boat. Now there is a mailboat named the J.W. Westcott II that works every single day-including nights, weekends, and holidays through the entire shipping season. It is 46 feet long with a very large cabin to hold all of the mail.

The illustrations are well-done, and there are several maps included.

[Sarah]

Set in Michigan. An interesting look at the maritime mail system.

[Carolyn]

Colin (now a captain!) does a wonderful job explaining the mail process in a warm and touching manner. A perfect children' s book for all kids, but especially for those living on the Great Lakes.

[Danielle]

Genre: Historical Fiction, Children's Picture Book.

A young girl named Mary's father, who travels all over the lakes won't be able to make it home for his birthday, what can she do to still make his day special?

This is a great book for learning a little about different ports on the Great Lakes, but also the stress of having a parent that works away from home.

Unique feature: Did you know mail can be delivered to sailors? I didn't!

Suggested Grades: K-5

[Morgan Meyers]

This book would be a great anticipatory set or read aloud for a lesson on how to write a letter, as well as the mailing process. I learned things through this book, as it provides a lot of rich factual and interesting information!

[Cheryl]

A little slow, but fun since Daddy has been to the post office down on the Detroit River. We may take a field trip there to see it.

[Caroline]

Mary finds out her sailor father won't be home for his birthday. She decided to make a special card and sends him "mail by the pail."