Sincerely, Emerson: A Girl, Her Letter, and the Helpers All Around Us

PreS-Gr 3--Emerson Weber, an 11-year-old white girl from Sioux Falls, SD, loved writing letters to friends and family. In this inspirational picture book, Emerson shows her gratitude to her local mailman by writing him a thank you note. This one act of kindness is shared with many other mail carriers around the country and Emerson gains a multitude of pen pals. These correspondences allow her to learn more about the lives of other people, teaching her the importance of community workers and how they make an impact on the world. Sinquett illuminates Emerson's experience in dazzling watercolor and pencil illustrations as well as personalized hand lettering. The carefully designed images link Emerson's story to current events. Families are depicted traveling to school wearing masks and healthcare heroes are seen attending those in need. VERDICT An ode to the art of letter writing and to the importance of giving thanks. A fantastic supplement to lesson plans that teach kindness and empathy.--Claire Moore, Manhattan Beach Library, CA