StoryCaptain is a children's book subscription that focuses on fostering empathy, understanding, and connection through literacy. Each box comes with 2-3 books, an activity guide, and a fun little freebie. The book selection is under the care of children's literature experts to ensure that every book in your box is both developmentally appropriate and will spark joy. There are two subscription options: one for kids ages 0-3 (board books), and one for ages 4-7 (picture books).
The Cost: $19.95 per month + $4.95 shipping to the US.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 50% off your first box with code MSA50!CODE: MSA50
This review is of the subscription for ages 0-3.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
Here's What's Inside!
This month we received 3 board books that followed the theme of Fruitful Fun. The books came paired with an activity guide which included instructions for a craft, a game, and a science project. We also received some adorable summer-themed stickers like sunglasses, fruit, and pool essentials.
Mrs. Peanuckle's Fruit Alphabet by Mrs. Peanuckle (Author), Jessie Ford (Illustrator) — Retail Value $8.99
Now that my daughter is almost 2, she's starting to recognize letters and smaller words. I always enjoy getting vibrant spelling books like these that help my daughter match words with their corresponding images. She also loves fruit so this book provides a fun way for her to about other fruits that exist (right now berries are her go-to). I'll admit that some of the text was a bit advanced for her age, but this book will be a great resource for several years to come, and I appreciate how much detail was included.
Jamberry by Bruce Degen (Author, Illustrator) — Retail Value $9.99
Upon seeing this book for the first time, I was immediately taken back to my childhood during the early to mid 90s. I then realized this gem was originally from 1983, so it makes sense why it gave me so much nostalgia. This tale was about a boy and his bear friend exploring the world of berries and picking them along the way. I appreciate how detailed the images were yet the text was perfect for my daughter's age. Overall the book was a beautiful read and I thought it was so sweet that the author included his backstory for creating the book at the of the tale. This is defintiely going to be a book we read regularly!
Seed by Maggie Li (Author, Illustrator) — Retail Value $9.99
My daughter always goes crazy for books with indents/holes she can place her finger into while reading along. She also decided that birds are her new obsession when playing outside so she was all about this book. Basically, this story was about a bird eating an apple and then transporting a seed through the air to the water where it's discovered by a gal who raises it until it becomes a large apple tree several years later. I appreciate that Story Captain throws in books like these every so often that teach children about the origins of food, nature, etc. This book was very balanced in terms of imagery and text, and is definitely another solid read for us.
Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $19.95 per month + $4.95 shipping to the US.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 50% off your first box with code MSA50!CODE: MSA50
Value Breakdown: This subscription costs $24.90 including shipping. The 3 books that we were sent in the 0-3 age range for January retail at $28.97 and the additional cost for stickers probably cost around $2. If you take into consideration the standard price of shipping on Amazon or other suppliers, then the total retail value is quite a bit higher than the cost of the box. Not to mention, you receive a carefully curated selection of books, and some fun activity prompts!
Key Takeaways
At this point, I always trust Story Captain to provide us with amazing reads each month. This month's books were very fun and had some beautiful imagery in them. It was hard to pick a favorite, but I'd say for me it was Jamberry and for Maddie it was Seed. However, I think Fruit Alphabet will gain massive popularity in our house as Maddie and Stephen grow up.
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To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, as of this review's publication, this box is still available. After placing your order, your first box will be shipped within 3 business days. For subsequent boxes, they will be shipped either at the beginning or the middle of each future month.
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