Customer Reviews

Mule Train Mail

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Anthony is a different kind of postman. He doesn't walk a mail route, he doesn't work behind a counter nor does he drive a truck. He doesn't wear the Postal Service regulation uniform, but rather "wears a cowboy hat, chaps, and spurs." The mail for his route is delivered to him in bulk and when it arrives he prepares it for his mule train at the "south rim of the Grand Canyon." Anthony, one of the most unusual mail carriers in the United States, delivers anything and everything that can be packed onto the back of a mule. During the busy holiday season the mules have delivered "everything from pumpkins to Christmas trees." "Hi-ya!" It's time to make a few deliveries.

A desert bird can be seen sitting on a leafless branch watching the mule train as it begins its one mile descent to the bottom of the canyon floor. The route quickly becomes precarious as the route "zigzags along sharp switchblades." The trail is teeming with desert life in the plateaus. The narrow trail is not for the faint of heart as Anthony, his dog and mule team need to navigate past hikers and through all kinds of treacherous weather conditions. When they reach the bottom, he "lets the mules take a quick drink from the crystal-clear water" of Havasu Creek. They soon reach their destination, the village of Supai, where everyone is waiting for their mail!

This amazing story certainly gives new meaning to the phrase, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." I enjoyed going along with Anthony and his mule team as they wended their way down the canyon. The book doesn't go into great detail about how much a mule can carry or things such as the population of Supai, but this leaves a lot of room for a young student to work on a report. The artwork was simple, but very appealing and I liked how all of a sudden I had to rotate the book when the trail became steeper. This is a surprising look at just how far some people have to go to deliver the mail!

Neither rain nor sleet nor hail nor flash floods can stop Anthony the Postman from delivering mail to the village of Supai at the base of the Grand Canyon. Anthony, a skilled muleteer, delivers the mail using a small train of mules, usually making the eight-mile trip in about three hours. Although the scenery may be breathtaking, the hairpin turns and rocky path can be hazardous, especially during poor weather conditions. But the mail always goes through.

With its focus on the postal service, this engaging new book presents a good opportunity to introduce young learners to the idea of public services. The descriptive text and striking pastel and colored pencil illustrations are clearly enhanced by the author's personal experience riding with the mule train. In addition to its unique topic, the book also raises awareness of the Havasupai Indian Reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.