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
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
Come March, even the most committed of winter-lovers are ready for spring, and StoryCaptain sets us up with two seasonally celebratory reads. This card introduces our two new picture books, and on the back are some cute activity ideas that you can create with items around the house or those you find. We made the Cloud Jars with jars, water, matches, and ice right away and it was an interesting, low-mess science experiment that we'd never done before. They also included garden-themed stickers.
Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld — Retail Value $21.99
Found on sale here for $13.45
This is a story about a small cloud who enjoys being petite, but also longs to be able to do the big, important weather functions that larger clouds perform. One day during a large storm she's blown to a different neighborhood, and in her new setting she learns what she's capable of.
My kids, ages 2 and 5, absolutely love this book. They've requested it as their bedtime story several nights in a row, which is how you know you have a household instant classic. I think what works so well for this book is that it truly focuses on the narrative more than it does on cloud facts. We were handed down the book Drop: An Adventure Through the Water Cycle last year, and while we wanted to love it, it proved to be a little dense with educational bits. So by contrast, Cloudette is so light and sweet.
First Notes of Spring by Jessica Kulekjian (author) and Jennifer Bower (illustrator) — Retail Value $17.99
Found on sale here for $14.89
Next up is a story about woodland animals who wake the Earth up for springtime by playing music. The main character is a badger whose music is a little too noisy for the moose running springtime band auditions. So the badger wanders off to do his own thing, and serendipitously overhears several other animals making noises that go nicely with hers. In the end, the noisier music and the more melodic music end up serving different purposes that work well alongside each other, and Mr. Moose concedes that he stands corrected on the badger's music being "too much." As a parent I love a book that highlights a character (especially a figure of authority) who admits they were wrong. It takes such courage and humility to do that.
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, with shipping included. March's box contained 2 hardback picture books that add up to $39.98 using full retail prices, or $28.34 using Amazon sale prices. With the added benefits of book selection, activity ideas, a sticker sheet, and a fun mail day, the qualitative + quantitative value together exceed the cost.
Key Takeaways
My family welcomed these springtime reads with open arms. Cloudette has become a fast favorite, and First Notes of Spring is a cute story with a great moral. We also enjoyed the provided activities very much!
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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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