Note from Liz: I’m so happy to introduce our newest reviewer to the MSA team! Welcome, Becca!
My First Reading Club is a monthly subscription that delivers 3-4 age-appropriate books, an activity book, and a gift for mom. This box was founded on a love for reading and improving literacy. This company is passionate about using books to build a child's confidence, imagination, and education.
The subscriptions available are:
- Just Starting Out (Newborns-2)
- Pre-readers and Fledgling readers (ages 3-5)
- Newly Independent Readers (ages 6-8)
- Developing Readers (ages 9-10)
- Established Readers (ages 11-12)
This is a review of the Newly Independent Readers, $21.99 a month box for kids ages 6-8 years old.
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 My First Reading Club
The Subscription Box: My First Reading Club
The Cost: $26.99/month + free shipping. Save with 3, 6, and 12-month subscriptions.
ACTIVE DEAL: Save $5 off your first box!
CODE: NEWREADERS
The Products: 3-4 advanced picture books and early chapter books for readers who are in early and middle elementary school who are beginning to feel comfortable reading on their own, an activity book, and a gift for mom.
Ships to: United States, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, and Sweden
Our Review
This is the first time I have received this subscription, and upon review of past boxes, an information sheet was provided. However, this month I received no information card with the three books, activity book, and gift for mom:
Bartholomew Quill A Crow’s Quest to Know Who’s Who by Thor Hanson - Retail Value $17.99 (found here for $13.15)
This is a hardcover book about a bird named Bartholomew Quill whom is in search of who and what he is. He is a determined bird who asks questions to other animals, discovering differences between him and other animals until he finally discovers he is a crow. My family really enjoyed this book. The watercolor and ink illustrations are absolutely beautiful, and the rhyming text is helpful for my son who is starting to read on his own. Both of my boys love animals, and this book is chalked full of them and is also informational. The story is engaging and fun and features a guide at the end of the book with ideas for group discussions, independent and group activities, and a teacher’s guide for added education. This book has been put in our favorites pile!
Bob and Joss Get Lost by Peter McCleery - Retail Value $17.99 (found here for $10.43)
Bob and Joss Get Lost is a hardcover book that was copyright in 2017. It is recommended for children 4-8 and is a funny book about 2 boys who are bored and decide to go on an adventure. Bob is the leading type, while Joss is more laid back. They decide to go on a boat trip and end up getting lost. While Bob worries about everything and works to build shelter, Joss relaxes and finds fruit, eventually finding an island resort, where Bob becomes bored again. My 5-year-old was able to read this book with my help and was really interested in the latitude and longitude locations that are featured at the top of the pages. This book was quite comical and had me and my children laughing. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and we really enjoyed reading it.
Ballerina Swan by Allegra Kent - Retail Value $16.95 (found here for $11.10)
Ballerina Swan is a hardcover book about a swan that longs to become a ballerina. She has to overcome many obstacles to make her dancing dreams come true, but she never gives up. The book is a very lovely story about never giving up and always believing in yourself. Being it is about ballet, there is a glossary in the front to define some ballet terms, my 3 and 5-year-old would otherwise not know. While both of my boys sat and listened to this book, my 5-year-old son wasn’t all that excited to read it on his own. While there is a male dancer portrayed in this book, my kids just weren’t as interested as in the other books. I do have a 7-year-old niece who is in ballet, and will absolutely adore this book!
Scratch and Stencil Tie Dye by Moira Butterfield - Retail Value $12.95
This activity book is definitely my personal favorite of the box. The tie-dye cover is so bright and inviting, I couldn’t wait to try this out! This paperback book has very helpful instructions and tips followed by patterns and ideas. I like that there are so many different ideas for this paper that included items other than a picture, many that I would have never thought of- a pattern that you can make into actual earrings! The actual pack is on the back of the book. It includes three stencils, each 8 inches by 10 ½ inches, 7 sheets of 8X10 ½ inch scratch paper, and a stylus (the stylus needs to be sharpened with a pencil sharpener before use) This activity book can be used by all ages. My 3-year-old enjoyed just “scratching” on his own, while my 5-year-old was more interested in the stencils. The stencils are very “groovy” as there are a few peace signs, smiley faces, a van, and clothing items.
My 5-year-old and I really enjoyed making bookmarks, while my 3-year-old liked to doodle! Very fun projects, and I even made the 80s looking earrings!
Le Naturel white tea body lotion 40 mL
Last but not least is the “Mom” item of the box. This month I received a 40 mL vial of “Le Naturel white tea body lotion.” On the back of the vial, it states that it is environmentally friendly both in contents and packaging. It also states more information on this product can be found at www.hotelemporium.com, but I was unable to find a value. The lotion itself is a thin, white lotion that has a subtle earthy tea scent. It rubs in nicely without leaving my hands looking greasy, and the vial is the perfect size to fit in my small crossbody purse! A nice addition just for me!
Verdict: This was the first time receiving My First Reading Club for Newly Independent Readers (6-8) and I am very impressed. Although at the moment I am a stay at home mom, I will be a substitute teacher in the next year, so books and education for children are an absolute passion of mine. I spend hours every day reading to my kids, and I love exposing them to different subjects and interests through books. This subscription was a great mix of books, and although my boys weren’t as interested in the ballet book as I was, they did learn what a grand jete and plie are. I love adding creativity into my kids’ life, so the activity book was very welcomed, especially because I liked doing it too! This was a great curation and the mom gift was just icing on the cake to finish off the box.
The value of this months box comes in at $65.88 retail (less with sale prices). Either way, this is a great deal considering the cost of the box is only $26.99, including free shipping. Plus, I found new items I otherwise probably would have never discovered. The only thing that could have improved this box would be to receive an information card like they have included in the past.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, your first MFRC box will ship within 48 hours of ordering, but subsequent boxes will ship the first week of each month. You receive tracking information the day your box ships, and birthdays and special occasions can be accommodated with an extra special surprise!
Coupon – Use code NEWREADERS to save $5.00 off your first box!
Value Breakdown: This box costs $26.99 + free shipping, which means that each of the 5 items in the box has an average cost of $5.40.
Check out all of our My First Reading Club reviews and the Baby + Parent Subscription Box Reviews!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Which My First Reading Club book was your favorite this month?
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