Mr. ZIP™ for the Holidays

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History of Mr. ZIP

Introduced in 1963, Mr. ZIP became the U.S. Post Office mascot to encourage people to use a ZIP Code on their mail. (Fun Fact: The “ZIP” in “ZIP Code” stands for Zone Improvement Plan!) It’s hard to think about people leaving ZIP Codes off letters and packages these days, but when the ZIP Code was created, folks needed a creative nudge to help them to remember. Enter Mr. ZIP, a cute post office cartoon character based on an original design by Howard Wilcox, an ad agency executive and son of a mail carrier. After some tweaks and time, the Mr. ZIP we all know and love, with the swinging mail bag, was unveiled at the convention of postmasters in October of 1962. Just in time for the roll-out of the ZIP code in 1963! 

(Fun Fact #2: The original name of Mr. ZIP was Mr. P.O. Zone. Not nearly as catchy nor nearly as ZIPPY!)

Mr. ZIP’s Windy Day

And now, just in time for the holidays, Mr. ZIP is back again as the star of a new children’s book titled Mr. ZIP’s Windy Day. 

Written by New York Times bestselling author Annie Auerbach, and illustrated by Laura Catrinella, young readers will love the interactive lift-the-flap element as they join Mr. ZIP for one windy adventure! Mr. ZIP and his trusty sidekick, B. Franklin, start their day in the mail room. Then it’s time to begin the mail route. We accompany Mr. ZIP as he makes his deliveries when suddenly, a huge gust of wind blows the letters away. Mr. ZIP and Franklin have to track them down. Will they be able to find every last letter – and deliver them all before the end of the day?

Releasing October 31, 2023, this board book for ages 3-5 will quickly become a family favorite! To purchase Mr. ZIP’s Windy Day, click here.

This holiday season, as your cards and packages breeze in and out of your house, remember to thank Mr. ZIP with a little “hip hip hooray!” for getting our deliveries to us quickly and efficiently! 

(Fun Fact #3: Santa loves ZIP Codes!) 

And thanks to ZIP Codes, Santa is able to get his packages to all the good little boys and girls on his list quicker, too!

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