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The Mailbox in the Forest
While spending a vacation with her grandparents, Mayu, a Japanese first-grader, finds a mysterious mailbox in the forest near their house. She writes a letter and leaves it in the box. The next day she is surprised to find a letter addressed to her. She responds and a friendship develops between the two letter writers. But who could this mysterious friend be? Mayu discovers who he is, and discovers the joys of writing and receiving letters. And when the time comes to go back home, she and her forest friend find an unexpected way to exchange letters and to continue their friendship. Illustrated in the whimsical style that won Kazue Takahashi accolades for her Kuma-Kuma Chan books, The Mailbox in the Forest offers a delightful look into the everyday life of a Japanese girl—with a little magic added!
74 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 7, 2022
3.5★
“But you can read a letter as many times as you want. And it holds happy memories!”
Mayu’s grandfather explains how letters can be better than phone calls. She is visiting her grandparents who live across the road from a big, beautiful forest, which she can just see the top of from the building she lives in.
She has asked her grandmother whether there might be someone living in the forest – bears or raccoons or fairies. She hopes so! Grandma assures her there are only small animals.
At home, grandfather is writing to a friend, which is when the phone call conversation began.
“Grandpa wrote his response to the letter while Mayu worked on her arithmetic homework beside him.”
They stop for lunch, and here I will mention the Japanese references.
“’Oh, yay! It’s omurice!’ Mayu said. ‘Ooh, I love rice omelette!’”
When she goes for a walk, she looks right, then left, then right – and I thought to myself, that’s Australian or English or, ah yes, of course, in Japan they drive on the left.
Anyway, back to the story. As she crunches over leaves in the woods, she looks for animals, and suddenly: “Placed in between two tree trunks was a box with writing on it that said:”
“MAILBOCKS
Please put letters
in here
Everyone is welcome
From forest friend”
Being a clever little girl, Mayu immediately notices and wants to correct the misspelling. And guess what? She has a pencil and shopping receipt in her pocket, so she fixes the sign, writes a nice note on the docket, and pops it in the mailbox.
When she goes back the next day, there’s a note for her. How exciting! And thus begins a penpal friendship.
“Mayu ripped out the gift that had come with the magazine she and her grandmother had bought the day before—it was a small stationery kit!—and wrote her response.”
(What is it that’s so irresistible about a new pen or pencil and brand new writing paper?)
Notes are exchanged back and forth during her holiday until they meet, which turns out to be quite a surprise.
She loves going back and forth to the big forest to see her new friend.
But soon her family comes to pick her up, and how she and her friend figure out how to touch at the end of the holiday is an interesting twist. She promises to write to her grandparents too.
“I’ll make sure to come back and visit. And I’ll write you letters sometimes too! Phones are nice, but, you can read a letter as many times as you want, and it holds happy memories inside.”
“Mayu smiled and she hugged her bag into which she had carefully packed all her letters from Konta.”
AT the end of the book, the author has designed a page to look like an attractive piece of stationery with lines and images at the bottom for kids to write their own letter.
It’s a cute little book and might encourage some children to try writing to a penpal or relative, particularly at the time I’m reading this, in the middle of a pandemic, where people are often separated for health reasons.
Thanks to #Netgalley and Museyon Books for the copy for review.
“But you can read a letter as many times as you want. And it holds happy memories!”
Mayu’s grandfather explains how letters can be better than phone calls. She is visiting her grandparents who live across the road from a big, beautiful forest, which she can just see the top of from the building she lives in.
She has asked her grandmother whether there might be someone living in the forest – bears or raccoons or fairies. She hopes so! Grandma assures her there are only small animals.
At home, grandfather is writing to a friend, which is when the phone call conversation began.
“Grandpa wrote his response to the letter while Mayu worked on her arithmetic homework beside him.”
They stop for lunch, and here I will mention the Japanese references.
“’Oh, yay! It’s omurice!’ Mayu said. ‘Ooh, I love rice omelette!’”
When she goes for a walk, she looks right, then left, then right – and I thought to myself, that’s Australian or English or, ah yes, of course, in Japan they drive on the left.
Anyway, back to the story. As she crunches over leaves in the woods, she looks for animals, and suddenly: “Placed in between two tree trunks was a box with writing on it that said:”
“MAILBOCKS
Please put letters
in here
Everyone is welcome
From forest friend”
Being a clever little girl, Mayu immediately notices and wants to correct the misspelling. And guess what? She has a pencil and shopping receipt in her pocket, so she fixes the sign, writes a nice note on the docket, and pops it in the mailbox.
When she goes back the next day, there’s a note for her. How exciting! And thus begins a penpal friendship.
“Mayu ripped out the gift that had come with the magazine she and her grandmother had bought the day before—it was a small stationery kit!—and wrote her response.”
(What is it that’s so irresistible about a new pen or pencil and brand new writing paper?)
Notes are exchanged back and forth during her holiday until they meet, which turns out to be quite a surprise.
She loves going back and forth to the big forest to see her new friend.
But soon her family comes to pick her up, and how she and her friend figure out how to touch at the end of the holiday is an interesting twist. She promises to write to her grandparents too.
“I’ll make sure to come back and visit. And I’ll write you letters sometimes too! Phones are nice, but, you can read a letter as many times as you want, and it holds happy memories inside.”
“Mayu smiled and she hugged her bag into which she had carefully packed all her letters from Konta.”
AT the end of the book, the author has designed a page to look like an attractive piece of stationery with lines and images at the bottom for kids to write their own letter.
It’s a cute little book and might encourage some children to try writing to a penpal or relative, particularly at the time I’m reading this, in the middle of a pandemic, where people are often separated for health reasons.
Thanks to #Netgalley and Museyon Books for the copy for review.
August 18, 2021
My grandmother used to always tell me she loved hearing from me on the phone, but preferred letters. I didn't understand at the time, just as the little girl in this story doesn't understand when her grandparents tell her the same thing, when she is visiting them.
They try to explain that you can keep rereading them, and have them with you for always, unlike a phone call.
So when the little girl discovers a mailbox int he forest, with a letter in it, she writes back to the mysterious person, and they start writing back and forth, until she discovers who her mystery correspondence is with, and she realizes she wants to keep writing when she goes back home.
For the other letter writers is a fox child, and they find that with the help of a bird, they can keep writing letters, long after she has returned to the city.
Cute sweet pictures. A slightly strange story, but gentle as well.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
They try to explain that you can keep rereading them, and have them with you for always, unlike a phone call.
So when the little girl discovers a mailbox int he forest, with a letter in it, she writes back to the mysterious person, and they start writing back and forth, until she discovers who her mystery correspondence is with, and she realizes she wants to keep writing when she goes back home.
For the other letter writers is a fox child, and they find that with the help of a bird, they can keep writing letters, long after she has returned to the city.
Cute sweet pictures. A slightly strange story, but gentle as well.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
August 11, 2021
The Mailbox in the Forest by Kyoko Hara is a charming picture book about a young Japanese girl who discovers a new friend, while at the same time discovering an appreciation for the mostly lost art of letter writing. This is a feel good read that will appeal to both young and old.
Mayu is a first grader visiting her grandparents when she wanders alone into the forest, soon discovering a structure labelled 'mailboks'. Inside she finds a letter from an anonymous writer who is hoping for a response. Intrigued, Mayu writes back, correcting the spelling of 'mailbox' and a friendship is founded on the strength of the back and forth missives. It is not long before the anonymous letter writer and Mayu meet face to face, and the little girl is delighted to discover who has been at the other end of the engaging correspondence.
This is a lovely story, beautifully illustrated, and charmingly engaging. I would be delighted to share it with the young readers in my life.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Museyon for an ARC.
Mayu is a first grader visiting her grandparents when she wanders alone into the forest, soon discovering a structure labelled 'mailboks'. Inside she finds a letter from an anonymous writer who is hoping for a response. Intrigued, Mayu writes back, correcting the spelling of 'mailbox' and a friendship is founded on the strength of the back and forth missives. It is not long before the anonymous letter writer and Mayu meet face to face, and the little girl is delighted to discover who has been at the other end of the engaging correspondence.
This is a lovely story, beautifully illustrated, and charmingly engaging. I would be delighted to share it with the young readers in my life.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Museyon for an ARC.
January 13, 2022
The Mailbox in the Forest
by Kyoko Hara and Illustrated by Kazue Takahashi is a delicate, tender story of friendship and understanding. Everything starts when little Mayu stays for some while to the house of her grand-parents. They live close to a forest and Mayu is intrigued by the mystery that the forest is transmitting her. Although her granny reassures her that no one lives in the forest, Mayu is skeptical.
At the same time her grand-father receives several letters and there is a postcard for Mayu as well! Mayu asks to her grand-father what she finds of exciting in reading a letter: her grand-father asks her if she has sent a letter to someone. Mayu tells him that she hasn't never done it, because calling by phone is simpler. Her grand-father so explains her the art of letter-writing. You can re-read what a person sent you, a lot of times, affirms him.
Mayu now, would want to have someone with which exchanging thoughts, but...Where to find him?
Then, one day, wondering in the forest, she discovers a sort of mailbox: someone waits for some letters.
Mayu writes the first one, starting, she discovers, a wonderful and mysterious correspondence with a guy who, certainly doesn't have a great property of language, but that he is more than OK to her.
At the end the big suprise and the promise of staying in touch also when Mayu leaves because it is time to return home.
Although in this story there is the discovery of a wild animal as a correspondent, it is understandable that behind that animal, as also for example in the legend of the wolf of Gubbio, there is boy with some difficulties in this case, someone who didn't sufficiently study for too many reasons, maybe sick, but that he is kind, nice, and has a lot of stories to tell. A real and appreciated friend for Mayu.
I see in this fairy-tale the encounter of two completely different friends in "friendship" for each other, with an important lesson learned: it is crucial to stay in touch with our dear ones and sometimes letters are better than a call or an e-mail.
I love the cover, and all the illustrations have a delicate and dreaming touch.
Highly recommended.
I thank Akira and NetGalley for the copies of this book.
Anna Maria Polidori
by Kyoko Hara and Illustrated by Kazue Takahashi is a delicate, tender story of friendship and understanding. Everything starts when little Mayu stays for some while to the house of her grand-parents. They live close to a forest and Mayu is intrigued by the mystery that the forest is transmitting her. Although her granny reassures her that no one lives in the forest, Mayu is skeptical.
At the same time her grand-father receives several letters and there is a postcard for Mayu as well! Mayu asks to her grand-father what she finds of exciting in reading a letter: her grand-father asks her if she has sent a letter to someone. Mayu tells him that she hasn't never done it, because calling by phone is simpler. Her grand-father so explains her the art of letter-writing. You can re-read what a person sent you, a lot of times, affirms him.
Mayu now, would want to have someone with which exchanging thoughts, but...Where to find him?
Then, one day, wondering in the forest, she discovers a sort of mailbox: someone waits for some letters.
Mayu writes the first one, starting, she discovers, a wonderful and mysterious correspondence with a guy who, certainly doesn't have a great property of language, but that he is more than OK to her.
At the end the big suprise and the promise of staying in touch also when Mayu leaves because it is time to return home.
Although in this story there is the discovery of a wild animal as a correspondent, it is understandable that behind that animal, as also for example in the legend of the wolf of Gubbio, there is boy with some difficulties in this case, someone who didn't sufficiently study for too many reasons, maybe sick, but that he is kind, nice, and has a lot of stories to tell. A real and appreciated friend for Mayu.
I see in this fairy-tale the encounter of two completely different friends in "friendship" for each other, with an important lesson learned: it is crucial to stay in touch with our dear ones and sometimes letters are better than a call or an e-mail.
I love the cover, and all the illustrations have a delicate and dreaming touch.
Highly recommended.
I thank Akira and NetGalley for the copies of this book.
Anna Maria Polidori
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2021
The Mailbox in the Forest es un cuento infantil a través del cual explicar a los niños de forma sencilla y original cómo se realizaba la correspondencia antes de Internet.
Tiene unas imágenes sencillas en tonos suaves y alegres, que transmiten mucha serenidad y están en perfecta sintonía con la historia que ilustran. Es un cuento infantil con el que nos podemos identificar fácilmente también los adultos.
Reseña completa en: https://libroshappy.org/the-mailbox-i...
Tiene unas imágenes sencillas en tonos suaves y alegres, que transmiten mucha serenidad y están en perfecta sintonía con la historia que ilustran. Es un cuento infantil con el que nos podemos identificar fácilmente también los adultos.
Reseña completa en: https://libroshappy.org/the-mailbox-i...
Read
August 20, 2021What a charming book!
The Mailbox in the Forest by Kyoko Hara is a cute story about Mayu, a first-grader, visiting her grandparents who live near the forest. One day, while walking in the woods, she saw a mailbox and left a letter. The next day, she was surprised when she found a letter addressed to her. The owner of the mailbox responded! This started a friendship with an unexpected character.
I read this together with my young niece, and we both enjoyed the book. This book has a lovely illustration that sets the tone for the book and has a nice flow. Since this is a Japanese book, I like that the illustration accompanies anything that is very specific to Japanese traditions. I’m well aware of most things, like the teru teru bozu doll, but not everyone is, especially for foreign readers. It’s not the most important scene in the book, but I like how the writer reiterates how Mayu crossed the street, which became a tool for conversation with my niece about the importance of looking around before crossing.
Overall, it’s a really lovely book to encourage little kids to write too!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy!
The Mailbox in the Forest by Kyoko Hara is a cute story about Mayu, a first-grader, visiting her grandparents who live near the forest. One day, while walking in the woods, she saw a mailbox and left a letter. The next day, she was surprised when she found a letter addressed to her. The owner of the mailbox responded! This started a friendship with an unexpected character.
I read this together with my young niece, and we both enjoyed the book. This book has a lovely illustration that sets the tone for the book and has a nice flow. Since this is a Japanese book, I like that the illustration accompanies anything that is very specific to Japanese traditions. I’m well aware of most things, like the teru teru bozu doll, but not everyone is, especially for foreign readers. It’s not the most important scene in the book, but I like how the writer reiterates how Mayu crossed the street, which became a tool for conversation with my niece about the importance of looking around before crossing.
Overall, it’s a really lovely book to encourage little kids to write too!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy!
October 3, 2021
Mayu visits her grandparents and fetches the mail for them. Her grandfather and grandmother are pleased to receive cards and letters. Grandfather mentions that "you can read a letter as many times as you want. And it holds happy memories!" Mayu maintains that calling on the telephone is faster, so she has never written any letters. During a walk through the woods near the house she discovers a "mailbocks" with a notice on it that says, "Please put letters in here Everyone is welcome From Forest friend." She becomes excited about receiving a new letter each day from her mysterious friend and saddened when it rains and she can't visit the mailbox. From her own experience Mayu learns that her grandfather is right, letters do hold happy memories.
This charming story shows the difference between generations in how written communication is valued. Mayu's grandparents appreciate their correspondence, looking forward to it and cherishing it. At first Mayu doesn't see the appeal of waiting for a letter to arrive when a phone call is so much faster, but that is because she has never received any letters herself. Once she has, then she wants to make sure that the letters can continue even when she returns to her home in the city.
Young readers will laugh at the spelling mistakes of Mayu's pen pal and wonder along with her about his identity. The mystery will be solved to their satisfaction by the end of the story and they will also be pleased by the arrangements for the letters between the friends to continue. Adults reading along will appreciate the whimsical artwork and perhaps be inspired to share stories of special cards and letters they have received over the years (or even pull out some they have saved). There is even a blank letter form in the back of the book to encourage readers to write their own note to someone special.
This charming story shows the difference between generations in how written communication is valued. Mayu's grandparents appreciate their correspondence, looking forward to it and cherishing it. At first Mayu doesn't see the appeal of waiting for a letter to arrive when a phone call is so much faster, but that is because she has never received any letters herself. Once she has, then she wants to make sure that the letters can continue even when she returns to her home in the city.
Young readers will laugh at the spelling mistakes of Mayu's pen pal and wonder along with her about his identity. The mystery will be solved to their satisfaction by the end of the story and they will also be pleased by the arrangements for the letters between the friends to continue. Adults reading along will appreciate the whimsical artwork and perhaps be inspired to share stories of special cards and letters they have received over the years (or even pull out some they have saved). There is even a blank letter form in the back of the book to encourage readers to write their own note to someone special.
August 5, 2022
This short novel is of about 72 pages in large font is just right for readers in first or second grade, or perhaps a bit older if hi-lo - the quiet story is about becoming a letter-writer, in a magical way.
The assumption that communicating with animals is wonderful but also unexceptional is right on target for this age reader, and the vocabulary matches the developmental stage, as do the simple but elegant illustrations - most in b&w, some in color.
There are some typos or small errors of translation but they are especially forgivable since the story is about writing in a foreign language.
It's a very slim story, but perfect for giving a reader a sense of accomplishment by finishing it and knowing it is complete.
The assumption that communicating with animals is wonderful but also unexceptional is right on target for this age reader, and the vocabulary matches the developmental stage, as do the simple but elegant illustrations - most in b&w, some in color.
There are some typos or small errors of translation but they are especially forgivable since the story is about writing in a foreign language.
It's a very slim story, but perfect for giving a reader a sense of accomplishment by finishing it and knowing it is complete.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2021
Perhaps it's because this was Japanese, but it has a lot of calm, old-school, classical qualities almost lacking from modern books for under-tens, and it's all the better for it. A young girl spending some days with her grandparents on the edge of a forest sees the pleasure a letter gives the old man, and then, surprise surprise, finds a magical-seeming letterbox in the middle of said forest, where nobody lives. A correspondence is started, which makes a friendship, even if it's not perhaps what one would expect. Nicely designed artworks and an ease about the text make this a warm little read, and one that definitely comes recommended.
March 19, 2024
While I can appreciate the message this story was trying to send it just fell very flat for me. There were several typos throughout the book and the illustrations were okay at best. For being release in 2021 this felt more like a story from the 1960's/1970's with the long winded wording and back and forth pictures being black and white and occasionally colored. It's stated this book is geared toward preschool ages or children 4-8 years old but I can't see a 4-6 year old sitting through this. Maybe 8-12 year old's who could understand the concept of a pen pal better and would be more willing to sit through the small amount of pictures but vast amount of writing.
October 30, 2021
A cute story about Mayu, a six year old girl who is visiting her grandparents for the winter holidays. They live very near a forest, which Mayu is excited to explore. She finds a "mailbocks" in a tree, and starts a correspondence with the mysterious someone who put it there, and a friendship begins. Soon, though, it's time for Mayu to go back home. Will she and her new friend figure out a way to keep in touch?
January 17, 2022
Though technically not a chapter book since there are no chapters, the format, vocabulary, and longer page length makes this functionally an In-Between. Translated from the Japanese, first grader Mayu finds a mailbox in the woods when she is visiting her grandparents. Through a series of exchanged letters, she makes a new -- and unusual -- friend. A sweet tale that could encourage young readers to also become letter writers.
November 22, 2021
What an absolutely charming little book. For those of us who enjoy letter writing and “snail” mail, this is the dream book to read/give to your young readers. Mayu travels from the city to her grandparent’s home near the forest. When she tokes a short walk alone into the forest, she discovers a mailbox attached to a tree with a sign asking for mail to be put inside.
September 30, 2021
This is a very cute story that I believe children will enjoy! It is a story of friendship and family, and about the joy of both sending and receiving letters in the mail. A tradition that many have forgotten.
December 18, 2021
It's not very often I find easy readers translated into English. This one is a delightful story of a young child, Mayu, who begins to write letters to a mailbox in the woods, thus striking up a friendship with a young fox.
Extolls the virtues of letter writing in a fun way.
Extolls the virtues of letter writing in a fun way.
December 31, 2021
A fun easy reader.
The book flap says it all:
"This is a whimsical story about an unusual friendship,
and one girl's discovery of the joy that letter writing can bring."
looking forward to reading the rest of the Forest Friend series.
Writing prompt?
The book flap says it all:
"This is a whimsical story about an unusual friendship,
and one girl's discovery of the joy that letter writing can bring."
looking forward to reading the rest of the Forest Friend series.
Writing prompt?
December 31, 2021
While visiting her grandparents, Mayu discovers a mailbox in the forest. Mayu wonders who her special forest friend may be and is delighted when she finally meets her pen pal. This cute Japanese import highlights the excitement of getting a letter, even in today's digital age.
September 1, 2022
This is such a super cute story about a little girl in 1st grade discovering the joys of writing and receiving handwritten letters. This would be a great book for 1st grade teachers who want to inspire their students to do more handwriting ✍️.
September 13, 2025
A beautiful children's story, although as a Nanny reading to my grandchildren I loved it too. Definitely a book I will be reading to them again and again, until they can read it to me.
Lovely sentiment about writing letters to grandparents and friends and how much more meaningful it is to hold a letter in your hand to be enjoyed and kept and read again when you are missing them. Great insight into family, friendship and the warmth of keeping in touch when far away.
Gorgeous illustrations too, which my grandchildren really enjoyed looking at.
Lovely sentiment about writing letters to grandparents and friends and how much more meaningful it is to hold a letter in your hand to be enjoyed and kept and read again when you are missing them. Great insight into family, friendship and the warmth of keeping in touch when far away.
Gorgeous illustrations too, which my grandchildren really enjoyed looking at.
October 24, 2025
Charming little story about a girl who finds a mailbox in the forest and starts corresponding with the fox kid who put it there. The flow is a tiny bit stilted as it's a Japanese import, but it's sweet and good for gentle readers.
September 11, 2021
The Mailbox in the Forest is a lovely book which tells the important tale of friendships and family. It has lovely illustrations to accompany it.
Thank you to NetGalley and MUSEYON for my ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and MUSEYON for my ARC.
October 4, 2021
Received from an ARC program that I belong to, this was a lovely, LOVELY art book, somewhat reminiscent of Totoro ;-) Lovely story and art.
February 14, 2022
Really sweet book
March 4, 2022
crying
March 22, 2022
A lovely story!
June 5, 2022
A sweet beginning chapter book
Read
July 12, 2022moving from JFICTION to Early Reader / I Can Read / beginning chapter.
December 14, 2022
A potentially charming story spoiled by typos and a sub-par translation.
November 6, 2025
So charming!
August 12, 2021
This is a very sweet story, but I'm at a loss to figure out the appropriate age range. On the one hand, the language is straightforward and simple for early readers, but it's more text-intensive and the illustrations aren't as much of a focus as one would expect for a picture book for young children. This might be best as a read-to-me book for younger kids, though early grade readers should be able to manage on their own.
The actual story was a little bittersweet--the fox's loneliness came through vividly--but the ending was hopeful. I liked the fact that Konta wasn't the strongest writer, but that didn't stop him from trying and continuing their friendship. There may be students who find it reassuring to see that on the page without undue attention or shaming.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
The actual story was a little bittersweet--the fox's loneliness came through vividly--but the ending was hopeful. I liked the fact that Konta wasn't the strongest writer, but that didn't stop him from trying and continuing their friendship. There may be students who find it reassuring to see that on the page without undue attention or shaming.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews