Like me, I know many of you may have been slightly frustrated with the delay of mail following the winter storms that recently swept across the US. Little did I know, there was a book being delivered to my door that would make me change my grumpy tune.
The Lost Package by Richard Ho was the exact book I needed to remind me of what a modern marvel the United States Postal Service is and how much it needs our support right now.
This delightful book doesn’t follow a specific person; instead, our “main character” is a package. We see it carefully wrapped and follow along as it is processed through the Post Office, but it doesn’t find its way to the airport with the rest of the deliveries. Luckily, this package’s story is just beginning. I won’t spoil the end, so I will just say the package is found and delivered through an unconventional but heartwarming method.
Richard Ho, whose father worked for the United States Postal Service, was inspired to write this book in response to the crisis the USPS is currently facing. Because the USPS doesn’t receive any taxpayer money and relies solely on profits from the use of its services, it is threatened by the rise of email and private shipping services like FedEx and UPS. These challenges were only amplified by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Post Office is a “pillar of the republic” and vital service for so many of us. But it is also magical! During the pandemic, I have received (and sent, of course) so many lovely notes, letters, and gifts from friends and family across the country who I have not been able to visit. A handwritten note checking in on my family or snapshots of a friend’s life to put on the fridge are just not something email can always capture. The Postal Service connects us all, no matter what our zip code is. The Lost Package captures the magic of this connection in a beautiful way.
I also adored the illustrations by Jessica Lanan, and the way they bring the package’s journey to life.
The Lost Package is available now wherever books are sold, including Bookshop and Amazon. (Please note: Some links provided are affiliate links. Affiliate links allow me to receive a small commission for recommendations at no cost to you. This commission is used to maintain this site and continue bringing content to you. Your support is always appreciated!)
The Lost Package is Richard Ho’s second children’s book. To learn more about him and his work, please visit his website at richardhobooks.com.
Jessica Lanan is an author, illustrator, and painter based in Boulder, Colorado. To learn more about her and her work, please visit her website at jessicalanan.com.
Thank you to Roaring Brook Press and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for generously sending me a review copy of another amazing book. I’m so grateful to be able to share The Lost Package with you all, and do my part in encouraging even the youngest of us to support the United States Postal Service.
And don’t forget, if you would like to support the USPS, you can ship a package or letter, purchase stamps, or visit the Postal Store today.
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