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Little Feminist Book Club Ages 2-4 October 2021 Review + Coupon

Christen Russo
ByChristen RussoOct 28, 2021 | 0 comments

all contents from Little Feminist 2-4 October 2021

Little Feminist
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Little Feminist Book Club is a monthly book subscription box for kids ages newborn to 9 years old. Each month you will receive one to two books to help diversify your bookshelf. 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 children's book subscription sends books that highlight lesser-represented characters and teaches important life lessons with beauty and nuance.

This review is of the Book Club for ages 2-4 years.

This box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

Opening The Box

 

Little Feminist sends their books in an envelope-style box that I realized last month could be colored by your kid. Of course, I was excited about the idea, but my daughter wasn't as interested. I love the minimal & easily recyclable packaging of this subscription.

Here's What's Inside

Welcome Note & Activity

 

Each month comes with a welcome note explaining the theme and some insights into why that month's book was selected. October's note explains that this month's theme is about teaching our kids empathy and inclusivity of those with a physical disability. They also share that this is one of the very few children's books about disability that was written by a disabled author. James Catchpole wrote it for his five-year-old self.

On the opposite side, and flowing over onto an additional sheet this month, is the coordinating activity. It's an exercise in acknowledging the likenesses and differences between your child and a friend or trusted adult. This is the first month I've seen Little Feminist include a multi-step activity, and I was so happy about it. First, you cut out the 15 little illustration squares provided, then have your kid color them in. Then, you help your child place them in a Venn diagram.

Kid doing Little Feminist 2-4 October 2021 activity

My three-year-old daughter Lorelai chose to do the activity with her cousin's name at the top of the other circle. She loved it and wanted to do it over and over again with different family members. We decided to tape the illustrations onto the paper with masking tape, sort of to add an extra step and make the activity last longer (plus help with fine motor skills), but that certainly isn't a requirement.

What Happened to You? by James Catchpole (Author), Karen George (Illustrator)  — Retail Value $16.95

 

This month's book is about a young boy with a physical disability, and how he navigates relationships. From the very beginning, it's evident that this boy, Joe, is exhausted by having his absent limb pointed out and questioned. All he wants to do is play imaginative games on the playground, and he keeps getting interrupted by other children focusing on his disability. By the end the other children all join in his game of "pirates," and once they're having fun playing together, the "why" and "how" behind his limb difference becomes less important to them.

Our family's introduction to limb differences through literature was with "When Charley Met Emma" by Amy Webb. The author isn't disabled, but her daughter is, and the author/mother is an outspoken advocate of access and rights for those who are physically disabled. Lorelai really took to "When Charley Met Emma," and as a parent, I found that it offered beautiful examples of how to help guide a young child through a real-life conversation with someone who has limb differences. I don't feel that's as much the case with "What Happened To You?" To me, there seems to be a nuance in the dialogue between kids that might be lost on my three-year-old, and while there are some pointers at the end of the book for how to interact with someone who's physically disabled, it isn't shown through example in the actual story. This is the first time I've ever wondered if a Little Feminist book was not age-appropriate for the 2-4 range. That said, with our family's primer to this conversation through "When Charley Met Emma," I feel I could help Lorelai understand that this book is from a different kid's perspective.

Discussion Questions

 

Little Feminist always includes a bookmark with discussion questions about the book that was chosen that month. I do think these questions address some of my concerns above, asking "How does Joe feel when he is playing by himself at the beginning of the book?" to help kids get inside the head of a character unlike themselves, and build empathy. Also, "What is a question that strangers often ask you that you don't like answering?" and more.

Value - Was This Box Worth It?

The Cost: $22.95 per month + $2.95 US shipping. Save with longer subscriptions. 

Value Breakdown: October's box included one hardback picture book with a retail value of $16.95. That values the book selection, activity, and discussion questions at $8.95. Some months that would seem steep, but since this month's activity was multi-faceted and took more than 5 minutes to complete, I'm happy with that value. 

Key Takeaways

The book sent this month wasn't a favorite of our family's, but it's still an important lesson for children, and what better way to start the conversation than through a book? I feel that for a three-year-old (or at least my three-year-old), "When Charley Met Emma" by Amy Webb is a better introduction to a conversation about physical disability with able-bodied kids, but "What Happened to You?" approaches it from a different angle, and that's helpful, too.

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

Other Things You Should Know

Can I still get this box if I sign up today? No. Little Feminist is currently shipping November boxes.

What did you think of the October Little Feminist Book Club pick for the 2-4 age group?? Click below to write a review!

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Little Feminist is a children’s book and activity subscription that focuses on diversity and gender equality, teaching 0-9 year old girls and boys (yes, boys can be feminists too!) empathy and perseverance. Books-of-the-month are selected by a team of educators, librarians, and parents, who then cre... read more.
Christen Russo
Christen Russo

Hi there, I'm Christen. I am all sorts of things:

🌳 a writer who loves to convey feeling

🌲 a mother who wants to have just as much fun as my kids do

🌳 an outdoors-lover who's achieved #1000hoursoutside with my family

🌲 a low-maintenance self-carer

🌳 a general hungry person with an unstoppable sweet tooth

You'll find me collecting stationery and squirreling away stickers, riding bikes and swimming with my family, creating outfits in colors and silhouettes that make me feel amazing, wearing big earrings, drinking beer and asking my husband to feed me harmonies to sing, taking my vitamins, living for dancing to live music, roping everyone into a craft, being human and vulnerable, and celebrating the phenomenon of being alive.

...and doing it all with energy, delight, and jokes along the way.


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