Coffee and a Classic is a monthly book & beverage subscription box, curated by Ashlee Doherty. Ashlee’s mission is to create a complete escape each month for lovers of literature, providing a thought out and curated experience where readers can curl up with the book, a beverage, and other bookish items to retreat from everyday life.
There are two different subscription levels available:
- The STARTER BOX ($28.99/month + $8 shipping) provides you with a classic book, something to sip on, and 2 bookish items each month.
- The STANDARD BOX ($39.99/month + $10 shipping) provides you with a classic book, something to sip (your choice of coffee, tea, hot chocolate) & snack on, a bookmark, a coffee mug, and 1-2 bookish items based on a theme. This book box is also packaged in a high-quality photo box.
With each level of subscription, you can select from three genres: Classic Literature, Children’s Classics, and Classic Nonfiction.
This review is for the Starter Children’s Classics Box.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Coffee and a Classic
The Subscription Box: Coffee and a Classic Starter Box
The Cost: $28.99 a month + $8 shipping. Save 5%-15% with longer pre-paid subscriptions.
The Products: A classic book, something to sip on, 2 bookish items + a bookmark
Ships to: the US only
Good to Know: Boxes ship between the 19th-23rd of each month. You can cancel your subscription at any time (recurring billing happens on the 1st of the month). Each month, a sneak peek is available and you can change genres if something catches your eye.
Coffee and a Classic (Children’s Classics) November 2018 Starter Box Review
This month’s selection is The Wizard of Oz:
The Wizard of Oz is an American children's novel written by L. Frank Baum, originally published in 1900. It has been adapted for the stage, the screen, and in several reprints and is truly a time-tested favorite for both the young and the young at heart.
Like most subscriptions, the first item you see when you open the box is an info card detailing the products inside. The contents listed include the book itself, a package of hot chocolate, 2 bookish items, and a bookmark.
The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W.W. Denslow – Retail Value $10.00
I love that I received this beautiful hard copy edition, which again looks to be a Barnes & Noble Collectible Edition. I’m impressed by the physical quality of this book and was surprised it retails for just $10.00. It even has a bonded-leather binding, a satin-ribbon bookmark, and gilt edging. Such great quality and such a nice chapter book to read to my son!
I’m very happy with the book choice this month, and I think he’ll like hearing about the Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man. I also have to point out all of the amazing illustrations! This edition was published in honor of the 75th anniversary of the classic movie adaptation and features images from that movie, as well as reprinted images from the original novel (now 118 years old!)
AND now “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” is playing on repeat on my Alexa as I continue to write this review…
From Barnes & Noble:
After a cyclone scoops them up with their Kansas farmhouse, Dorothy and her dog Toto find themselves transported to Oz, a magical land that is home to diminutive munchkins, witches wicked and good, flying monkeys, and all manner of marvelous creatures and beings. In the company of friends whom she makes during her stay--a Tin Woodman in search of a heart, a Scarecrow desperate for a brain, and a Cowardly Lion who craves courage--Dorothy seeks out the Wizard of Oz, the only person in the land with the power to return her home.
Exclusive! Yellow Brick Road Hot Chocolate by McStevens (3.5 oz) – Estimated Value $6.13 (based on a similar item found here)
I love this white hot chocolate! It's fun that it's yellow and themed, but what matters most is that it's rich and creamy without being too sweet – just what I want in a cup of cocoa. I'd estimate that this package of 3.5 oz would make 2-3 oz. servings of cocoa, based on how much mix you like in your cup.
Oz Passport Notebook – Retail Value $3.50
This pocket-sized (3 3/8" x 4 7/8") notebook contains 48 lined pages, each stamped with an image of the Oz characters in the lower corner. For a book lover or Oz enthusiast, I think this is a cute stationary item that anyone could find useful. I leave little notebooks like this all over my house, car, an always have one in my purse – so I will certainly put this to use.
Exclusive! Good Witch / Wicked Witch “Adornment Set”
OK – so this one was a miss for me. I've felt this way in the past about their "hand-made" or exclusive items. These are plastic ornaments with a felt hat or a foam crown hot glued to the top. It's a cute idea in theory – given the time of year, but it's just not executed well and seems like it should be a bonus if anything – it should not count towards the value of the box. I couldn't even begin to guess what they would list as the price – but if it were me, I wouldn't pay more than $1 for both of these items.
Exclusive! Handmade Bookmark from Coffee and a Classic
There is no listed value on the bookmark, but unlike the ornaments above this handmade item was executed really well. It’s a simple gingham ribbon (recall, the same print as Dorothy’s dress), around 8" long, with a small silver charm adoring each end. One side has Dorothy's pup, Toto, and the other side has her infamous ruby slippers.
Verdict: It's hard to quantify the exact value of this box because of the exclusive items. As always, the curation is absolutely adorable but this month, I don’t feel that the value was there. This box costs $37 ($29 + $8 shipping) and I was able to find/estimate only 3 of the items online – which comes to around $20. That would mean that the ribbon bookmark and the ornaments would have to be $17 to get me to the purchase price, and I think that’s a stretch. I did love the book selection this month though, and I did like being reminded of this cute story and sharing it with my child.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. Your first box will be the January selection.
Your box will ship between the 3rd Thursday and the 4th Monday of every month. Please order by the 15th of the month to get the current box.
Value Breakdown:At $37.00 ($29.00 + $8.00 shipping) for this box, you’re paying $7.40 per item.
Check out all of our Coffee and a Classic reviews and the Book Subscription Box List!
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