The Lost Package

Discussion questions

• Look carefully at the first illustration. Where is the setting of the story at the beginning? Once the package is finally noticed, look closely at the illustration to see where the package is headed? If you still can’t figure it out, peek under the dust jacket to see the smudged addresses!

• The child sent a model of a landmark of her city to her friend in another state. What would be a fun model for you to send to a friend in another state that represents Vermont or your town/city?

• The family found the package and it just so happened to be headed where they were moving to. It was a wonderful act of kindness to perform. What else could they have done with it to try to get it to its destination? What are some ways we can perform acts of kindness for others?

• People tend to send packages to each other to help them feel closer to one another, showing that they care. If you received a care package from a friend, what would be in it and why? 

• People always say “Write what you know.” The author grew up with his dad working as a postal clerk. What are some things you could write about that you know a lot about?

Vocabulary

Video content

• San Antonio USPS distribution center video during busy December ~2 minutes https://video.link/w/IMvzd

• Nashua, NH USPS distribution center video on Dec. 18 https://video.link/w/eNvzd

• Storytime with the author and illustrator on the day the book hit stores.  https://video.link/w/pNvzd
  Author begins reading about 4 minutes in.  About 7 minutes the illustrator does a postcard drawing activity/demonstration.  This is good background for adults, but students would likely loose interest in watching the entire 30 minute video.

Publisher content 

• https://jessicalanan.com/lost-package-coloring-sheet.pdf 

• https://theclassroombookshelf.com/2021/03/22/found-the-journey-of-the-lost-package/ 

Activities

• If you try Google Maps and type in 123 Sparrow Street, San Francisco,  it puts you in a very short alley with no real addresses. However, you could look up the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate bridge! Here’s a link to a 360 degree view on the bridge along with directions on how to best work Google maps. 

• See what wonderful new stamps are available. Some people collect stamps. Others just like to have fun using different stamps to make their mail more interesting. There are many with book and movie connections! (Eugenie Clark - The Shark Lady, Buzz Lightyear)

• Ideas from NEA on ways to use the book including a coloring sheet and lots of postal ideas: https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america/find-your-book

• Discuss the basics of mailing a letter or package (mailing address, return address, and stamp). Write postcards or letters to friends, family, or another class. Visit the post office to mail them or see how mail is metered in your school office. Standard postcards need 48¢ , while larger postcards and standard envelopes require 63¢  to mail right now.  Consider participating in a mail service project: 

  •  Valentines for seniors at a local nursing home.

  • Service members: Any Soldier you write positive letters or cards. They are distributed to soldiers that haven’t been getting much personal mail.

  • Postcards with heArt  print pdfs on cardstock, written in simple English, Spanish, or Arabic sentences to encourage displaced refugee kids that are just learning English. The project has lots of background information on why these kids need some kind words.

Companion books