Special Delivery

A young girl sets out on a solo journey to deliver a package to her grandmother who lives far away. She encounters transportation challenges that require her to find creative solutions using various vehicles and modes of travel. The story follows her determined quest across landscapes and through obstacles as she works to complete her mission. Her adventure brings her into contact with unexpected helpers who assist her along the way. This picture book explores themes of perseverance, resourcefulness, and the bonds between family members. The minimal text paired with expressive illustrations creates a tale that celebrates both independence and the value of accepting help from others.

Readers appreciate the book's depiction of determination and adventure, with many parents noting it appeals to children who love vehicles and transportation. The minimal text and expressive illustrations connect with young readers age 2-5. Positive reviews highlight: - Works for both bedtime and active reading sessions - Humor in the increasingly outlandish transportation methods - Positive message about perseverance - Appeal for transportation-loving kids Common criticisms: - Plot feels rushed toward the end - Some find the story too simple - A few mention the ending lacks impact Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (621 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (59 ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4/5 (4 ratings) One frequent Goodreads reviewer noted: "The illustrations carry the story, making each reread engaging as kids spot new details." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "Perfect for vehicle-obsessed toddlers, though the story itself is basic."

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers A boy helps a lost penguin find its way home through a long journey across the sea.

Journey by Aaron Becker A girl escapes into an imagined world where her red crayon opens doorways to adventure and unexpected places.

The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers A boy discovers a small airplane in his closet and flies it to space, where he meets an alien with similar transportation troubles.

Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann A police officer and his canine partner travel between schools delivering safety presentations with unexpected results.

Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion by Alex T. Smith A girl embarks on a journey through the African savanna to deliver medicine to her aunt while outsmarting a lion who plans to eat her.

🚚 The book uses mostly watercolor illustrations, creating a whimsical, dreamy quality that matches its fantastical journey storyline. 🎨 Author-illustrator Matthew Cordell won the prestigious Caldecott Medal in 2018 for his book "Wolf in the Snow," though it was for a different book than "Special Delivery." 📬 The story features various modes of transportation including mail truck, airplane, train, and elephant—reflecting Cordell's love of incorporating vehicles into his children's books. 🐘 The main character Sadie's determination to mail an elephant to her great-aunt Josephine mirrors the real-life story of a girl who attempted to mail her brother through the postal service in 1914. ✉️ The book playfully exaggerates the concept of postal delivery, which was inspired by Cordell's childhood fascination with the U.S. Postal Service and how mail gets from one place to another.