Coffee and a Classic is a monthly book & beverage subscription box curated by founder 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 ($29.99 / month + shipping) provides you with a classic book, something to sip on, and 2 bookish items each month.
- The STANDARD BOX ($40.99 / month + 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.
My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
This review is for the Starter Children’s Classics Box for $29.99/month + shipping.
About Coffee and a Classic
The Subscription Box: Coffee and a Classic Starter Box (Children's Classics)
The Cost: $29.99 a month + shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 20% off new month to month subscriptions
CODE: HOLIDAY21
The Products: A classic book, something to sip on, 2 bookish items + a bookmark
Ships to: the US and Worldwide (for varying rates)
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) June 2019 Starter Box Review
This month’s selection is Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
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.
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell – Retail Value $17.99 (Found here for $16.46)
From Amazon:
Far off the coast of California looms a harsh rock known as the island of San Nicholas. Dolphins flash in the blue waters around it, sea otters play in the vast kelp beds, and sea elephants loll on the stony beaches.
Here, in the early 1800s, according to history, an Indian girl spent eighteen years alone, and this beautifully written novel is her story. It is a romantic adventure filled with drama and heartache, for not only was mere subsistence on so desolate a spot a near miracle, but Karana had to contend with the ferocious pack of wild dogs that had killed her younger brother, constantly guard against the Aleutian sea otter hunters, and maintain a precarious food supply.
More than this, it is an adventure of the spirit that will haunt the reader long after the book has been put down. Karana's quiet courage, her Indian self-reliance, and acceptance of fate transform what to many would have been a devastating ordeal into an uplifting experience. From loneliness and terror come strength and serenity in this Newbery Medal-winning classic.
This book was originally published in 1960, and after nearly 50 years the story and writing have stood the test of time. I have never read this book, and honestly, I’ve never heard of it – so it was completely new to me and I thought that it was a powerfully written and moving story. I can see my 10-year-old self devouring this book, and at 35 I enjoyed it nearly as much!
Exclusive! Color-Changing Hot Chocolate from McStevens – 4 oz (Buy in bulk of 5 lbs here for $35.00)
Again, we see a special McSteven’s hot cocoa! This month, the package illustrates that this is the Karana Blend. I've had the white chocolate color-changing brews before, so I knew that I liked it right away! This month it's the dark blue color and it is delicious as always.
I’d estimate that this 4 oz pouch is probably enough for about 3-4 servings depending on how much cocoa powder you like to add to your cup.
Exclusive! Shadow Box Frame by Coffee & a Classic
This was a fun little craft! The shadow box frame features artwork by Sarah Brown, and as you can see a little bag of sand and crystals was included. To make, I simply slid the glass panel out and arranged the sand and stones as I wished in the shadow box. Then, I slid the glass back into the frame. I think it would be fun to add in a few seashells! I am going to gift this to a friend, who has a beach-themed powder room. The blue and coral colors are fantastic and the artwork is beautiful.
Sea Otter Glycerin Soap from CindysBathCreations – Retail Value $5.59 (On sale for $4.79)
I received a little sea otter soap in blue, with an unmarked but remarkably fresh scent (I think maybe beach breezes, but I’m not sure). This soap will look lovely in a soap dish on display, but it was also was very nice to use and left my skin feeling soft, clean, and lightly scented.
Handmade Karana Bookmark from CarrotTopPaperShop – Retail Value $4.00
This bookmark features a hand-drawn design of the heroine in the featured book and is printed on card stock. It’s a beautiful and perfectly suited bookmark for the book this month.
Verdict: This was a surprising, yet lovely box! The book selection was not one I expected, but am glad that I was introduced to it. I really liked the bookish items this month – especially the shadow box. I think that this box continues to get better and better, the curation is lovely, and the inclusion of handmade items from small vendors is delightful.
Because of the exclusive items, I couldn’t really calculate value – but given that the box itself costs $38 ($30 + $8 shipping), I think that the value itself remains in the curation and novelty versus the high cost of the retail items. I do wish that there was an occasional hero item in this subscription to validate the cost and value a bit more.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No. Your first box will be the August 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.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 20% off new month to month subscriptions
CODE: HOLIDAY21
Value Breakdown: At $38.00 ($30.00 + $8.00 shipping) for this box, you’re paying about $7.60 per item.
Check out our other Coffee and a Classic reviews, and the best book subscription boxes as voted on by our readers!
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