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: $24.95 per month + $4.95 shipping to the US. Save with longer subscriptions.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 50% off your first box with code MSA50!
CODE: MSA50
This review is of the subscription for ages 4-7.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
Opening The Box
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Subscribers can look forward to a colorful unboxing experience, with their easy-to-spot bright red shipping materials and neatly tissue-paper-wrapped contents.
Here's What's Inside
Welcome Note & Activity
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Our theme this month is Taking Flight, and to follow the theme we're sent two picture books about birds. One is a nod to Thanksgiving, and the other is more universal. The back of the card provides three activities: ideas for making a bird nest with collected items from outdoors, another that's a turky handprint drawing, and the third one is a sharing game. The sticker sheet of the month is a build-your-own turkey character.
Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano (author) and Lee Harper (Illustrator) — Retail Value $15.99
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I'll admit I initially judged this book by its cover. Its blinding cover and silly illustrations didn't appeal to me at all, and so I tossed it on the bookshelf without any fanfare. When my 5-year-old daughter came upon it as she was choosing books for bedtime, she chose it immediately, and I must say I was mistaken...this book is pretty cute! It's about a turkey who dresses up as different farm animals to try to disguise himself leading up to Thanksgiving dinner. There is a cadence to the text, making it fun and sing-songy to read, and Turkey's solution to his problem makes for a delightful, unexpected ending. Hint: the ending is vegetarian-friendly!
The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems — Retail Value $17.99
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We've long been fans of the Pigeon series, and all of Mo Willems's characters. This one features a rare appearance from the Duckling, who is so cutesy-looking, but so mischievous. There is always a witty spin to Pigeon books, and this one has us on a journey wherein Pigeon can't believe all Duckling had to do to get the cookie is ask for it. Ultimately Pigeon is flattered when Duckling gives him the cookie with nuts, only to go on and politely ask for a cookie without nuts. I can see some parents potentially finding this "moral" a little disputable, but our family has always been a fan of humor in picture books—and this playful motive was nothing we couldn't explain to our daughter as being a little rascally.
Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $24.95 per month + $4.95 shipping to the US. Save with longer subscriptions.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 50% off your first box with code MSA50!
CODE: MSA50
Value Breakdown: This subscription costs $29.90 including shipping. This month, we received 2 picture books that add up to a total of $33.98. 'Tis the season for sales everywhere, so they're actually listed at a much lower cost on Amazon right now ($8.79 and $10), but I did not include those sale prices into my calculations this month because I don't believe they would be quite that low were we not in the thick of holiday sale season. Considering these books at their full retail value, we save 12% by receiving them through the StoryCaptain subscription.
Key Takeaways
We enjoyed the two fun, playful books we received this month. Both are bird-themed, and one is seasonal. Both were very well-received by our five-year-old, and even caught the attention of our two-year-old. Win-win!
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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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