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OwlCrate JR Book Box Review + Coupon – August 2018

Brandi D.
ByBrandi D.Aug 20, 2018 | 0 comments

OwlCrate JR
4 overall rating
4 Ratings | 1 Reviews

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.

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (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.

LIMITED TIME DEAL: Use coupon code SUMMEROWL to save 20% off a 3 or 6-month subscription to OwlCrate Jr!

The Products: You will receive (1) hardcover middle grade book plus assorted gender neutral book-related items.

Ships to: U.S. for $6.99, Canada for $10.59, and International for $19.99

OwlCrate JR August 2018 Review

An info card was included listing the items in the box as well as the theme for August: Storyteller's Toolkit.

Nightbooks by J.A. White – Retail Value $16.99 (found here for $12.25)

I am only about halfway through the book, but I am loving it! The story begins with Alex, a boy who has an obsession with all things scary and creepy, who is about to destroy his Nightbooks. These are the notebooks that he writes his nightmares and spooky stories in. We don't know why he is going to throw them out and we are left wondering because on his way to get rid of them he is enticed into a young woman's apartment by the smell of pumpkin pie and the sounds of his favorite scary movie. Once inside, he learns that she is a witch and she means to hold him captive. She declares that he will become her own personal storyteller and spend his days writing stories to share with her each evening. We are thrown into a magical world where doorways disappear and plants come to life and the only other person he is able to communicate with is Yasmin, another captive of the witch's who seems to have been there a long time and has no interest in becoming his friend. This book is so fun and interesting with an air of mystery that keeps you hanging on to every word as Alex tries to figure out a way to escape this magical apartment. I love that the writer chose to incorporate the stories that Alex tells the witch into the book, so we are reading several short stories within this longer one. J.A. White is an excellent storyteller, and I can see why this novel inspired the theme for the month!

In each box, there is a signed bookplate sticker and a letter from the author. I love this note from J.A. White that gives story prompts and encourages the reader to write and share their own stories. I always loved writing as a kid, so I think I would have really loved this when I was younger. 

Nightbook Journal

We received a mini version of our very own Nightbook, complete with some story ideas on the back!

Eeboo Create a Story Cards: Fairy Tale Mix-Up - Retail Value $9.99

We received this set of story cards, which I think are the perfect way to be creative and become a Storyteller! This pack featured a little pull out drawer with 36 different picture cards and some instructions. My kids and I had a lot of fun using these to tell some silly stories to each other. This is the perfect activity to do anywhere, any time and is guaranteed to inspire young kids to create their own stories!

Scout Books Notebook - Estimated Value $4.95

Our Nightbook was very cute and fit in with the story, but we also received this larger notebook to write more stories in. I love the design! It looks just a little eery with the pen tip and I love the quote on the back. This looks like a custom book designed for OwlCrate Jr. which makes it super exclusive. This also lays flat, which is great!

Jubilee Design Studio Fresh Page Pencil Set - Estimated Value $3 (based on the cost of the six pencil set)

Every writer needs a set of fresh pencils! These are perfect with their story themed quotes. Another exclusive OwlCrate Jr. item!

 Geddes Book Eraser- Retail Value $0.18

Just in case we make a mistake, we have these handy little book erasers to help us out!

OwlCrate Jr. Exclusive Zipper Pouch  - Estimated Value $10

I wasn't able to find this item online, but I did my price estimate based on similar items that I found on Etsy since they tend to work with small businesses. To keep all of our new writing tools in, we received another OwlCrate Jr. exclusive item, this awesome pencil pouch. I love the color of this and the design! While this box is meant for younger readers, I think the design is perfect for a Storyteller of any age! It's a classic style and perfect to hold the other items we received.

Sword Button - Estimated Value $1.00 

This was another item that I wasn't able to find online, but I am estimating this on the lower end of what button pins cost on Etsy since OwlCrate Jr. seems to work with a lot of independent artists. Each box includes a button that fits with the monthly theme and this typewriter on top of the notebook paper design is very fitting!

OCTOBER SPOILER:

The September OwlCrate JR theme will be Ghosts & Ghoulies. They said they are starting Halloween a bit early this year, and as it is my favorite holiday, I am definitely excited!

Verdict: As usual, I am impressed with my OwlCrate JR box this month. I really love the story and the Storyteller theme is such a great one! Everything that they sent was exclusive and supported the theme perfectly. The curation in these boxes is always incredible and I find myself getting excited when I know I'm about to receive this mysterious box! I love that when they release spoilers, they never actually tell you what the book is which makes it just a bit more thrilling. I estimate the total retail value of the box to be $46.11 and we paid $34.98 ($27.99 + $6.99 shipping). This is a great value for so many exclusive OwlCrate Jr. items and I think that any young writer has just enough items in their toolkit to spin their own story after receiving this box.

To Wrap Up:

Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you will start with the September box.

LIMITED TIME DEAL: Use coupon code SUMMEROWL to save 20% off a 3 or 6-month subscription to OwlCrate Jr!

Value Breakdown: At $34.98 for this box ($27.99 + $6.99 shipping) here is what you are paying approximately per item:

  • Book- $12.88
  • Story Cards- $7.58
  • Notebook- $3.76
  • Pencils- $2.27
  • Eraser- $0.14
  • Pouch- $7.59
  • Button- $0.76

Check out all of our Owl Crate Reviews and the Book Subscription Box Directory!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!

What did you think of OwlCrate JR?

Starting at $29.99
Active Deal
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Use Coupon Code JRMSA2021
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OwlCrate Jr is a monthly subscription box for young readers, brought to you by the team behind OwlCrate! This box of fun goodies and great books is perfect for kids aged 8-12
Brandi D.
Brandi D.

I am a homeschooling mom to 4 kids; 1 girl and 3 boys. While I have been reviewing boxes since 2018 and I love the luxury of trying new products, I'm also balancing it out by dabbling in a little bit of homesteading, too. We now have 4 chickens and a rabbit and my sourdough starter is going strong! I love learning about new brands and sharing the great things I find with others in hopes that they find something new to love or to fit their needs!


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