Toddlecreek Post Office

by Uri Shulevitz

Toddlecreek Post Office, presided over by postmaster Vernon Stamps, is a special place for friendship, sharing, and gossip, until a postal inspector arrives to impose official rules, changing the post office--and Toddlecreek--forever

Genres: Picture Books

30 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Uri Shulevitz was an American writer and illustrator of children's books. He won the 1969 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration, recognizing The Fool of the World and the Flying Ship, an Eastern European fairy tale retold by Arthur Ransome in 1916.

Reviews

[GoldGato · Rating 4 out of 5]

The late Uri Shulevitz (R.I.P. 2025) was an author and illustrator of children’s books, and this is the one I love the most from him. His use of watercolours always makes me linger on the pages, as he uses light in a way that focuses on each character and each structure. This book looks at how we lose a way of life and while losing it, we also lose our own light.

The village of Toddlecreek is small. It is not on any map, it is bypassed by travelers and forgotten by time.

Toddlecreek Post Office is a happy place. It sits within a very small village, but the locals take pride in the way their postal unit seems to shine. The postmaster, Vernon Stamps, is so good at his job that he opens his office when other postmasters are just waking up! It’s also a gathering place for all the local characters, who may not have any mail incoming, but who like to sit and talk with Vernon and other locals who arrive. Even the local stray dog uses the post office to rest during the day, because Mr. Stamps is a softie at heart. And if an aging resident comes in looking to get help for a broken lamp, Vernon is ready to help.



But one day, a postal inspector walks into the Toddlecreek Post Office. And life will never be the same again.

I really enjoyed this book. The pictures are illuminated in a halo of light, showing the joy and comfort brought by the post office and its postmaster. But when the inspector arrives, the light disappears and suddenly the watercolours are dark and gloomy. It’s a tale of treasuring what we have before it gets lost in a world that only values productivity and profits. Local post offices, like libraries, have been disappearing all over the world, as people spend less time with others and more time with themselves at home.

Uri Shulevitz grew up in Poland but his family fled to Turkestan and eventually, the United States. His childhood experiences are reflected in his books, where longing and missed opportunities are quietly illustrated. He died in New York City at the age of 90 and I, for one, will miss his work.

Book Season = Spring (sunny seats)

[Suzannah Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

All of Toddlecreek is held together by Vernon and his post office. We get to know each citizen's personality and how Vernon helps them. One day, things change.

I liked the book, but the ending is not what I expected. I think it could leave some children anxious and confused. The illustrations are beautiful and create a light mood.

I would use this book in therapy to illustrate community and leadership.

[Jolee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was through most of this book, and thought, it was a charming tall tale....until I neared the end, that was. Then, I thought, "What in the world?!" My reaction is not to say that children's book cannot have an unhappy ending or an ending that you did not expect. When that happens, though, I guess you expect that it happens for a reason? I couldn't quite find the reason here. Hence the lower review. Still, I love Uri Shulevitz! :-)

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet and sad story!!!

[Kati Zuber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked how this story is one that begins with a simple scene, but then becomes more and more absurd.

[Caroline · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why close the post office?

[Patti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Excessively depressing for the read-aloud picture book age.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was no doubt in my mind that this book would get 5 stars from me. It is a great story.

But what a bummer.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on who the author is - is something hidden in this sad story? Is it the story of humanity? I’m probably getting two philosophical.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure about the message. The community space will be destroyed by administrative decisions?
Is this story really for children? Liked the illustrations.