Mule Train Mail

When cars were invented, the US Postal Service said goodbye to animal-powered deliveries forever—or did it? There's one town in the States that still receives their mail by mule! Meet Anthony Paya, who leads a train of mules on a daily three-hour trek down into the Grand Canyon to bring mail to the townspeople of Supai.

Full of authentic Western details about Paya's one-of-a-kind job and magnificent workplace, this beautifully illustrated journey will fill readers with wonder and respect for this unique American landscape. Back matter includes further information about the hazards of working this mail route and author-illustrator Craig Brown's journey with the mule train to Supai.In some remote pockets of Arizona, the postman wears a cowboy hat and leads a mule train. The front endpaper illustration traces the mail route through the Grand Canyon. At the south rim of the Canyon, boxes of mail are transferred from a postal service truck to the saddlepacks of Anthony the postman's six mules. He rides a horse and has an eager dog to help guide him along the zigzagging trail, full of sharp switchbacks. A succession of double-page spreads that need to be turned 90 degrees for proper viewing emphasizes the steep descent of the route. Deep mud, ice and flash floods make the trail treacherous, but never prevent Anthony from completing his route, which is narrated in a simple, concrete present tense. At length, the mule train reaches its destination, the village of Supai, tucked into a green valley, where Anthony unloads the mail and—because Supai is also Anthony's home—his family greets him. Brown's illustrations, in pastel and colored pencil, look appropriately sun-washed. informative as well as evocative, and told with crisp clarity.

—Kirkus ReviewsCraig Brown was raised in a small farming community, and his art reflects his experiences growing up in the rural Midwest. Craig has illustrated many children's books, including THE TALKING BIRD AND THE STORY POUCH (Harper) and CITY SOUNDS (Greenwillow). He lives in Manitou Springs, Colorado.

Visit Craig online at www.craigbrownbooks.com.