Just Like Me! Book Box is a monthly subscription box containing children’s books featuring characters of color plus fun book swag! They provide 2-3 hand-picked books for kids 12 and under and offer boxes for different age groups: baby-3, ages 4-8, and ages 9-12.
This review is of the $28.00 a month Just Like Me! Book Box for ages 4-8.
About this Book Subscription Box for Kids
The Subscription Box: Just Like Me! Book Box
The Cost: $28.00 per month + shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
The Products: 2-3 age-appropriate and fun books featuring characters of color, educational tools, and a gift to encourage positive child development.
Ships to: The US for $5
Just Like Me! Book Box September 2019 Review
My daughter is in 3rd grade and my son in preschool. They both love to read! As an African American family, we eagerly seek out age-appropriate books for our children that feature diverse stories and characters and particularly those that feature children of color. We are excited to finally get to review this month’s Just Like Me! Book Box.
This month’s theme is “Back to School.” The start of the new school year, the official end of the summer, always brings new opportunities. New teachers, new friends, new challenges and new goals await. Just Like Me! Book Box reminds us that we are another year closer to achieving our big dreams!
Included in this month's box is a 2019/2020 school year calendar magnet. I’m constantly checking my kids' school calendar. I reference it when planning vacations, scheduling major work events and making sure I book break camps well enough in advance before they fill up! I plan to use a highlighter to customize the calendar to my kids' school schedule.
Kick It, Mo! by David A. Adler and Illustrated by Sam Ricks – Retail Value $4.99
Book Summary:
“The soccer season is starting, and Mo has been working hard on his kicking skills so he can help his team, the Billy Goats, score a goal. But when he gets on the field on game day, it seems like all he gets to do is run back and forth. Will Mo ever get the chance to show his team what he can do?”
Kick It, Mo! is written by author David A. Adler, an award-winning author of over two hundred books for children and young adults. It’s illustrated by Sam Ricks, who has illustrated numerous books for young readers.
My son enjoyed Kick It, Mo! He recently joined his first little league soccer team, so he knows all about practice drills and keeping the ball the ground. In the story, Mo Jackson is eagerly practicing his kick but just can’t seem to get it right and there’s a big game is on the line! The lesson here is to keep practicing, keep trying, and even when the odds are against you, keep going! Also, you’re probably doing way better than you’re giving yourself credit for.
MC Veggie Fresh Rocks the Mic by Shanon Morris, MS, RD, CDN and Illustrated by Merve Terzi – Retail Value $14.99 (found here for $13.55)
Book Summary:
“Oh no, Clementine is in trouble! What is she going to write for her Healthy Hero Election speech tomorrow? Her annoying twin brothers Basil and Sage are no help. But one thing she does know, she has to beat Edgar and his Junk Food Friends. Just when she is about to give up, Clementine discovers her talent for rapping. She becomes MC Veggie Fresh and rocks the mic like a pro at the Healthy Hero Election. But are her rapping skills good enough to win?”
MC Veggie Fresh Rocks the Mic is written by Shanon Morris. Shanon Morris is an author and Registered Dietitian whose goal is to make nutrition education relatable, accessible and enjoyable for all. This book is illustrated by Merve Terzi, who has illustrated several children's books.
Shanon Morris did an awesome job with MC Veggie Fresh Rocks the Mic! I loved the characters – Clementine and her twin brothers Basil and Sage. As a parent, what I loved the most about this book was the black culture references peppered throughout the story. A good example is the mom's apron that read "chop it like it's hot." At the end of the book, the author offers healthy cooking tips and even recipes for some of the food referenced in the story. This was an unexpected and welcomed addition to the story.
Josie’s Bedazzled Shoes by Teresa L. Baker and Lydia L. Miles and Illustrated by Ruth Klassen Andrews – Retail Value $10.95
Book Summary:
“When Josie changes schools, she has a hard time making new friends until a special gift gives her just what she needs. Josie's Bedazzled Shoes inspires girls to be unique, be themselves.”
Josie's Bedazzled Shoes is the first book written by mother and daughter pair Teresa L. Baker and Lydia L. Miles. It's illustrated by award-winning artist, author, and illustrator Ruth K. Andrews.
Everyone can relate to being the new kid on the block and it’s even harder if you’re a shy person like the main character Josie. I love the support she gets from her family as she navigates her new school and struggles to come out of her shell and make new friends.
Verdict: The Just Like Me! Book Box comes in its own specially designed box featuring children of color. It’s very cute and the kids can easily identify it as a box just for them.
This month’s selections were all about facing and overcoming new challenges. Mo in Kick It, Mo! was the youngest and smallest on his soccer team but was determined to learn how to properly kick the soccer ball. Clementine in MC Veggie Fresh Rocks the Mic worked hard to be elected the school's new Healthy Hero. And Josie, in Josie’s Bedazzled Shoes had to build her confidence and overcome her shyness in her new school.
We all had our favorites this month. My son loved Kick It, Mo! because he loves soccer. My daughter found the main character in Josie's Bedazzled Shoes completely relatable. I loved MC Veggie Fresh Rocks the Mic because the author found a way to be both entertaining for children and parents and informative. It was my favorite book in this month's box.
The cost of this Just Like Me! Book Box is $33.00($28 + $5 shipping) and has a retail value of $30.93 not including the school calendar magnet. Although this box doesn’t offer huge cost-savings, Just Like Me has access to thousands of hand-selected African American themed books. The books are picked based on the book’s educational value, merit, and awards. They do all the research and conveniently deliver great books which makes this box more than worth the cost.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, but if you sign-up today, you may be able to receive October’s “Melanin Magic” book box.
Value Breakdown: This box costs $28.00 + $5.00 shipping. Here’s what you are paying approximately for each book in this box:
- Kick It, Mo! – $5.34
- MC Veggie Fresh Rocks the Mic – $16.04
- Josie’s Bedazzled Shoes - $11.72
Check out our lists of the best book subscription boxes and even more great boxes for kids!
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