No Mail for Mitchell

This Step into Reading book stars Mitchell the dog, a friendly, dependable mailman. The simple yet witty pictures show him delivering a lavender hatbox to the stylish Mrs. Groundhog; a copy of Mouse and Garden magazine to Mrs. Mouse; and a box of books (return address: Random House) to the erudite Beaver family. But the hardworking Mitchell returns home to find his own mailbox empty. He decides to write a letter to himself, but when he goes out into the rainy night to mail it, the envelope blows away in the wind. When Mitchell braves the elements to deliver a special birthday package, he comes down with a bad cold. Mr. Pig takes over, and the bulging sack he brings to Mitchell's door makes the ailing mailman very happy. With its controlled vocabulary, large type and bright illustrations, Siracusa's cheerful tale is a welcome addition to this excellent series for beginning readers. Ages 4-8. (Oct.)