Little Feminist Book Club is a monthly book subscription box for kids ages newborn to nine years old. Each month you will receive one to two books selected to help diversify your bookshelf for $22.95 per month + $3.95 flat rate shipping. Plus, you will also receive hands-on activities and tools to help your book come to life. Subscriptions are offered for ages 0-2, 2-4, 4-7, and 7-9. From Little Feminist:
Only 31% of children's books feature a female character, and only 13% feature a person of color.
This review is of the Book Club for ages 4-7 years.
This box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
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Little Feminist Book Club items come in a distinctive cardboard holder with drawings on it. In addition to the book(s), Little Feminist includes an introduction to the book (which has an activity on the reverse side – see below) and a bookmark with thought-provoking questions.
What's Inside The Box
Lion on the Inside by Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir - Retail Value $19.99
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This book, co-written by the subject, tells the true story of Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir, a Muslim-American girl who changed the game of basketball. Qisi (short for Bilquis) was born to play basketball. She practices constantly and even shoots baskets from the dining table. As she grow and starts playing with others, she is underestimated for being a girl and a Muslim. Things come to a head in a varsity game when the ref tells her she can't play while wearing her "scarf." Her teammates and fans stand in solidarity with her, and she is allowed to play. She becomes the first woman to wear a hijab in NCAA history and even gets to play with President Obama at the White House. But when she tries to go pro, rules once again prevent her from playing in a hijab. She contemplates taking it off so she can play the game she loves, but decides to keep her faith and fight the injustice instead. She spends her prime years fighting to get the rule overturned, so that other Muslims girls can play in the future. Qisi is still an advocate for Muslim women and girls in sports.
As you'd expect, my daughter and I spent most of the time talking about hijabs. Both why people wear them and also why she wasn't allowed to wear it during the game. We also talked about not being allowed to do something you love. All in all, this was one of the most conversation-inducing books we've received. I should also mention the story is written as free-verse. It has a beautiful poetic flow. We loved it.
From kidcanpress.com:
A Muslim American girl at the top of her game makes a difficult choice in this powerful and beautifully told true story about breaking barriers. Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir was born to play basketball. At three, she has her own hoop. By seventeen, she’s the star player on her school’s varsity team. On the day of the playoffs, though, the referee says she can’t play while wearing her hijab. Her teammates refuse to play, the crowd shouts its support, and the referee relents. With that game, Bilqis becomes the all-time lead scorer in Massachusetts State history and goes on to play college ball, where she is the first woman to play in a hijab in the NCAA – she even plays basketball with President Obama at the White House. The story follows Bilqis into adulthood and her heartbreaking decision to walk away from a professional basketball career when the rules once again won’t allow her to wear a hijab. Bilqis becomes an activist, fighting for years on the international stage advocating for young Muslim women, and eventually the rule is overturned.
What Do You Think Card
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Each book comes with a "What Do You Think" card that provides questions that you can ask your little reader about the book. I like the way they help you ask direct, thoughtful questions– something that might actually get a real answer rather than "It was good" or "I liked it."
Little Feminist In Action
This month's activity is learning about another athlete who changed the rules that forbid them from competing.
The Verdict
This ended up being one of the best installments from Little Feminist Book Club. I like anything that gets my kids asking questions, thinking critically, and being curious. This is a book I may have passed at the store or library, but receiving from this subscription made us sit down and pay attention. Also, as a parent, it gave me hope that my kids can be the change we want to see in the world.
Value - Was This Box Worth It?
Subscribers – current or future – will have to be understanding of the fact that Little Feminist Book Club is not a subscription that saves you money. The cost of the sub will always be a little more than the book itself. This subscription's true value is the quality of the books and the complementary paperwork, which is carefully chosen and sent to your front door. If you are focused on dollar amounts, this subscription may not be for you. The monthly subscription costs $26 (including shipping). This book retails for about $20. That is a $6 difference.
One thing to note: Little Feminist offers four ways to purchase: monthly, three months, six months, and 12 months. They cost $22.95, $21.95, $19.95, and $18.95, respectively. Shipping is $3.95. So if you were certain you'd like this subscription for a year, it would be $4 cheaper per month and much closer to the book's retail value.
To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? You have to order before the 25th to receive that month’s selection. From Little Feminist:
Once you purchase a book subscription, your first box will be shipped within a week. From then on, your book box will be sent the first week of every month.
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist.
Do you subscribe to Little Feminist Book Club Box? Comment below with what you thought.
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