OwlCrate Jr is a monthly book subscription box for kids aged 8-12. They send books as well as interesting and educational book-related items.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About OwlCrate Jr
The Subscription Box: OwlCrate Jr
The Cost: $27.99 a month + shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first order
CODE: JRMSA2021
The Products: You will receive (1) hardcover middle-grade book plus assorted, gender-neutral, book-related items.
Ships to: The US for $7.99, Canada for $9.99, and International for $19.99
OwlCrate Jr April 2020 "Cabin in the Woods" Review
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This month's theme is "Cabin in the Woods" and we received this magazine which highlights all of our items. It also includes an interview with the author, a creativity corner with a fun scavenger hunt for us, and some information on their monthly photo challenge.
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Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk - Retail Value $17.99
This book is just so pretty! I love the artwork and how the colors used give it a vintage feel. Even better, it looks like this book was an early release, which is pretty exciting! The story has the feel of a classic novel that you might have read in school; it begins during the Great Depression and follows Ellie and her family after they've become accustomed to living in the woods once her parents lost their jobs and they had to leave the city. While the rest of her family struggles to adjust, Ellie feels at home in the woods and she learns how to fend for her family fairly quickly after her father has an accident that puts him in a coma. While the doctor says he may never recover, Ellie is sure there must be something she can do to help him. She has a plan and along the way she discovers that there are others on the mountain that need help and that just might be able to help her. This story is sweet and a little sad but it has a lot of heart! Ellie is caring and selfless, brave without trying, and such a great role model. I wish I was more like her! I really just loved everything about this book and the story gave me all the good feelings once I was finished!
From Amazon:
When the Great Depression takes almost everything they own, Ellie’s family is forced to leave their home in town and start over in the untamed forests of nearby Echo Mountain. Ellie has found a welcome freedom, and a love of the natural world, in her new life on the mountain. But there is little joy, even for Ellie, as her family struggles with the aftermath of an accident that has left her father in a coma. An accident unfairly blamed on Ellie.
Determined to help her father, Ellie will make her way to the top of the mountain in search of the healing secrets of a woman known only as “the hag.” But the hag, and the mountain, still have many untold stories left to reveal and, with them, a fresh chance at happiness.
Echo Mountain is celebration of finding your own path and becoming your truest self. Lauren Wolk, the Newbery Honor– and Scott O'Dell Award–winning author of Wolf Hollow and Beyond the Bright Sea weaves a stunning tale of resilience, persistence, and friendship across three generations of families, set against the rough and ragged beauty of the mountain they all call home.
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In each box, there is a letter from the author and this month there is a signed bookplate, which looks so nice on the inside cover! I always love hearing from the author, it's such a special way to get engaged in a story.
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OwlCrate Jr Exclusive Art Print
This month we received an exclusive art print that features a quote from our book. This is a great quote that is made even more special by the sweet images that surround it which are inspired by events from our story.
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OwlCrate Jr Exclusive Bookmark
To keep our place as we read, we received this great tassel bookmark which features a quote from none other than Laura Ingalls Wilder. It was designed by Kelly Leigh Miller and I love all of the green tones which tie into the green tassel. The quote reads, "Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat" and I couldn't agree more!
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Roy Toy Log Building Set: The Camp - Retail Value $12.99 (found here for $11.49)
This month we received a set to build our very own little cabin with just like Ellie's father built theirs. This log set is really cute and actually a bit challenging since the directions are a bit vague. The pieces are soft and light and they fit together easily. It includes 37 of these naturally died pine pieces and you can use the pieces with other sets that they sell.
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Here is my little cabin all finished. It fits in so well with the vintage cabin vibe from our book! I may have to get some more sets for my kids to play with since they were all excited once they saw this.
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Streamline Woodland Carved Pen - Buy a set of 4 for $19.99
Since Ellie from our story is always finding items carved out of wood that have been left for her, we received our own wood carving in the form of this woodland pen. This pen is so cute with the little owl carved out at the top and it will be fun to write with!
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OwlCrate Jr Exclusive Magnet Pin
Our next item is inspired by Arlo Finch and was designed by Juniper and Ivy Designs. I really love this design! It's perfect for our cabin in the woods theme, and it's so nicely done with the laser engraving. The magnet is really strong, too, so it should be perfect for wearing as a badge on your clothing or maybe even on a bag.
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Cabin Sticker
Each box includes a collectible sticker that fits with the monthly theme, and this adorable design was created by Chie Boyd.
Verdict: This month's OwlCrate Jr box had such a great theme and some nice items that tied in perfectly with our story. I really enjoyed Echo Mountain and it's so exciting that we received it before it was even released! I just loved the retro feel of the items with the classic log building set and the vintage style of the artwork. The retail value of the book and the cabin set comes to $30.98 and this box costs $35.98 ($27.99 + $7.99 shipping). Considering all of the other exclusive goodies we received, I think that's a great value for a sweet cabin-themed box!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, and unfortunately, the May box has already sold out. Join the waitlist here!
ACTIVE DEAL: Save 10% off your first order
CODE: JRMSA2021
Value Breakdown: This box costs $27.99 + $7.99 shipping. We received 7 items, meaning each item has an average value of about $5.14.
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