GOOD-BYE, CURTIS

A charming book that evokes the best of a community and celebrates one special letter carrier named Curtis. Curtis has delivered the mail to the people in this neighborhood for 42 years, and the book opens on his last day of service. As he makes his rounds, readers see just how much everyone will miss him, from the butcher to the crossing guard to the baby in 4-C. They also see the changes that have taken place over the years: Trees have grown larger, children Curtis knew have become parents and even grandparents, people have moved in and out. Curtis never changes. On his last day all the mailboxes hold thank-you gifts for him, and a surprise party awaits him at the last house on the route. Words and art perform an affectionate duet; Henkes (Protecting Marie, p. 469, etc.) provides a text as reassuring as Curtis's daily visits while Russo (I Don't Want to Go Back to School, 1994, etc.) creates both full-page folk art and small decorations to punctuate some passages. Pair this with Cynthia Rylant's Mr. Griggs' Work (1989) for another fond look at one person's impact on a community. (Picture book. 3+)