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Wilma Sloth writes a thank you note.

A Beast’s Guide to Letter Writing

by Miss Perfect

Miss Perfect believes that any beast can be a good letter writer when he or she grows up.  It is a matter of knowing the proper forms and having confidence in one’s ability to express oneself.  Letter writing takes practice.  That is why Miss Perfect has made the following assignments—so that young beasts can become comfortable with various forms and situations—learning what to say and how to say it.

Party Invitation—You can always buy readymade invitations at the drug store, but it’s so much nicer to make your own.  Cut a piece of 8 ½” x 11” card stock in half and then fold each half.  You have two invitations!  Make as many as you need. Decorate the front any way you please (stamps, cut paper, crayon drawing) and then write your information inside:

Kind of party

Your name

Where the party will take place

Date and time of the party

What to wear

Let’s imagine that you are Alexandra Mole and that you are inviting six of your closest friends to a Halloween Sleepover.  Your mother says you can dig a hole in the basement and decorate it with cobwebs.  Create the invitation.  Decorate the outside with your own illustration.   Put all the necessary information inside.

Thank You Note—It is always important to thank others for gifts.  You needn’t write a long note.  But you should write it promptly.  First of all, thank the individual who gave you the gift.  Say something nice about it (even if it’s something you don’t like).  If you like it, tell how you will use and enjoy it.

Let’s imagine that you are William Raccoon and that you have just received a pair of binoculars from your Great Aunt Gwen for your birthday.  Binoculars are something you have always wanted.  Write to Great Aunt Gwen.

Let’s imagine that you are Eloise Flamingo and that you have received a pair of red and white striped kneesocks from your great grandmother.  You hate stripes and the kneesocks will not stay up.  Write to Great Grandmother.

Post Card—When you are on vacation with your family, it is thoughtful to send your friend a post card.   Mention something specific about where you are and what you have done.  You might also tell your friend how much you miss him.

Let’s imagine that you are  Harriet Otter on vacation with your family at a particularly exciting mudhole in South Florida.  Write to your best friend Sallie Muskrat about the wonderful time you are having.  Remember that a post card won’t hold more than two or three sentences, so make them interesting.  (For fun, you might create your own color post card drawing.)

Sallie’s address is:

2 Winding Lane

Bismarck, South Dakota 58501

Get Well Note—You may wish to write a note to someone who is not feeling well.  What do you say?  First,  express hope for her quick recovery.  Then, if she is someone you usually see everyday, tell her how much you miss her. 

Let’s imagine that you are Gordon Hedgehog and that you are writing to your cousin Bartley Hedgehog, who is ill, having eaten far too many worms at a family dinner.  Write Bartley a letter that will cheer him up.

Pen Pal Letter—Have you a pen pal?  That is, someone whom you have never met but with whom you correspond?  Or perhaps your teacher has asked you to write a letter to someone who would appreciate mail.  What do you talk about?  You might describe yourself—what you look like, what you like to do for fun.  You might also describe your family and your school.  And don’t forget to ask your pen pal some questions.  

Let’s imagine that you are Chester Armadillo of  Cactus, New Mexico and that you are writing to Rodney Possum of Saltwater, Maine.  What will you tell Bartley about yourself?  What questions will you ask?

Bad News Letter—There are times when a letter is the best way to convey news of a serious nature.  It is best to begin such a letter with something cheerful.  For instance, if you have broken the front window of the house next door, you might begin by telling how you were playing a wonderful game of  ball in the street.  In the next paragraph, you may tell how the ball accidentally went through the front window.  You may conclude with how sorry you are, and what you will do to fix the problem.

Let’s imagine that you are Rudolf Moose and that as you and your friend Rodney Tortoise walked onto Tabitha Sheep’s porch to collect a donation for the school band, you accidentally knocked over her flower pot. Tabitha was not home, so you write her a letter.

Letter from Summer Camp—When you are away at camp, it is nice to write a letter to your family describing all the fun you are having.  Or not having.

Let’s imagine that you are Louise Possum and that you are attending Serendipity SleepOver camp in the mountains.  What are some of the activities you are participating in?  What kinds of foods are you eating?  Write your family a letter.

Letter to a Famous Athlete—If there is a particular athlete whose prowess you admire, you might consider writing him or her a letter.  Tell them how much you admire their skill.  You might also ask them some questions about the sport, especially how they came to be so good. 

Let’s imagine that you are Colin Badger,  writing to Jetta Bear, who is a great basketball player.  What will you say to him?  What questions will you ask?

Let’s imagine that you are Jetta Bear, writing to Colin Badger.  What advice will you give him?

Letter to an Author—If you read a book you find especially interesting, it is a good idea to write to the author. 

Let’s imagine you are Dory Mouse and that you have just read Clifford.  What will you say to the author, Mr. Norman Bridwell?

Letter of Complaint— Sometimes you just don’t like something, for example, the food in the school cafeteria.  You have told your teacher that you don’t care for what they’re serving, but nothing has changed.  So, you decide to write a letter to the principal.  As in the “bad news” letter, you should begin by saying something complimentary.  Perhaps you find the cafeteria art display exciting.  In the second paragraph you should make your complaint.  Then suggest a change. End by expressing confidence that a change will take place.

Let’s imagine that you are Marvin Tapir and that you are writing to your school principal, Mr. Spaniel, about the food.  What do tapirs love to eat?    

Letter of Approval—When something is especially nice, we should send a letter of approval.  Like the “thank you note,” this need not be long.  Simply state what it is that pleases you, and why.  Perhaps add what a delight something has been.

Let’s imagine that you are Dorvin Hippopotamus and that you are especially fond of the new Power Punch cereal made by Quicker Oats.  Write the company president, Denise Crocodile, telling her how much you love that new cereal.  

Letter to Miss Perfect—Perhaps you have a problem that has been bothering you.  A family or personal problem on which you would like some advice.  Write to Miss Perfect.

Tell her what the problem is—give her all the details. 

Let’s imagine that you are one of the following: 

Ripley Giraffe

Sally Tortoise 

Melvin Tadpole

Dudley Owl

Yolanda Skunk

Renda Kangaroo

What sort of problem might you have?  Write to Miss Perfect about it.

After you and a friend write your letters, trade.  Then write Miss Perfect’s reply.

* * *

Dear Beastly Readers,

If you want to be a good letter writer, you must practice.  Correspond with your family.  Correspond with your friends.  Write letters of approval and, when needed, letters of complaint. Letters have an impact that neither telephone calls nor emails have.  They come directly from your very own paw.