(And Even Some Who Don’t)
There are kids who disappear into books for hours.
And then there are kids who consider reading the back of the cereal box sufficient literary activity for the day.
We like both kinds.
Because sometimes getting a kid excited about reading has less to do with finding the “right book” and more to do with changing how the story reaches them.
Like, say…
In an envelope.
With their name on it.
Waiting in the mailbox.
First, Let’s Talk About Kids Who Already Love Reading
These are the easy ones.
If you have a kid who walks around with a book, asks for “five more minutes” before bedtime because they’re almost done with a chapter, or has ever packed six books for a two-day trip…
You know one.
A Mailbox Tales story gives them something they don’t normally get from a book.
They can’t devour the entire thing in an afternoon.
The story arrives through real letters in the mail, one piece at a time.
Depending on the adventure, envelopes can include photographs, clues, evidence and other surprises connected to the story.
Instead of simply turning the page, they get to investigate what’s in front of them.
Then they have to wait.
We know.
Cruel.
But What About the Kid Who “Doesn’t Like Reading”?
This is where things get interesting.
Hand some kids a book and they immediately see an assignment.
Hand that same kid an envelope addressed to them containing a mysterious letter and suddenly…
Well.
Now they need to know what’s going on.
Who sent this?
What’s that picture?
Why is there a clue in here?
And when is the next one coming?
They’re still reading.
They just aren’t thinking about the fact that they’re reading.
They’re trying to figure something out.
That’s a completely different experience.
The Mailbox Becomes Part of the Story
Think about how kids normally encounter stories.
Bookshelf.
Tablet.
Television.
Phone.
Now imagine the story appearing somewhere completely unexpected.
The mailbox.
One day there’s nothing.
The next day there’s an envelope.
Their name is on it.
Inside is the next piece of an adventure they’ve been waiting for.
That’s difficult for a screen to duplicate.
There’s no notification telling them the next chapter is available.
There’s an actual envelope they get to rip open.
And if you’ve ever watched a kid receive real mail addressed specifically to them, you already know this is a surprisingly big deal.
They Get Time to Wonder
We’re used to getting everything immediately.
Next episode.
Next chapter.
Next video.
Next.
Next.
Next.
Mailbox Tales refuses to cooperate with this arrangement.
The next part of the story arrives when the next letter arrives.
Which gives kids something increasingly rare:
time to wonder what happens next.
They can make predictions.
Study the clues.
Change their theory.
Talk about the story with you.
Go back through earlier letters looking for something they missed.
And then—
finally—
there’s another envelope in the mailbox.
It’s a Reading Gift That Doesn’t Feel Like a Reading Gift
There are plenty of wonderful gifts for kids who love to read.
Books absolutely belong on that list.
But sometimes you want to give them something they haven’t experienced before.
And sometimes you’re shopping for a kid who hasn’t fallen in love with reading yet.
A story delivered through real mail sits somewhere between a book, a mystery, a game and getting a package addressed just to you.
That’s what makes it fun.
The reading isn’t the assignment.
The reading is how you find out what happens.
Give Them a Reason to Check the Mail
Maybe you’ve got a kid who already reads everything they can get their hands on.
Great.
Give them a different way to experience a story.
Maybe you’ve got one who insists they don’t like reading.
Also great.
Don’t tell them we snuck reading into their mailbox.
We’ll keep it between us.
Give them a story they don’t just read. Give them one they get to wait for, open, examine and figure out.
The adventure begins at their mailbox.