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 our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
About Little Feminist Book Club
The Subscription Box: Little Feminist Book Club
The Cost: $22.95 per month + $2.95 shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
The Products: At least one book (sometimes more) and hands-on activities and tools to help bring your book to life.
Ships to: The U.S. for $2.95. Shipping costs may vary for international orders.
Opening The Box
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Little Feminist sends their books in an envelope-style box. Packed snugly inside is the book of the month, a welcome note and activity, and a bookmark with discussion questions listed on the front and back.
Here's What's Inside
Welcome Note & Activity
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In the December welcome note, it's explained that Little Feminist loves spotlighting stories that simply celebrate children (as opposed to always showcasing characters that are overcoming identity-related challenges). This month's book is a story about a young girl who simply adores her mother's khmiars (also known as hijabs), joyously displaying this garment as a symbol of relationships and faith, rather than a political symbol. How beautiful of an introduction for children who aren't already familiar with khimars!
On the other side of this cardstock page is the December activity. It encourages children to think of an outfit or article of clothing they own that makes them feel happy or powerful to wear. It suggests they go get it and put it on, asks how they feel in it, and then directs them to draw a picture of themselves wearing it, or have an adult take a photo. There's also a note to caregivers to encourage playing dress-up to support creativity and problem-solving skills.
Sometimes it takes us a few reads of a new book before my three-year-old daughter Lorelai is ready to try an activity pertaining to it, so we haven't gotten to this one yet. But she has had very strong ideas about what she wears since she was about 18 months old, so I am curious and eager to see what she chooses for this activity.
Mommy's Khimar by Jamilah Thomas-Bigelow (Author), Ebony Glenn (Illustrator) — Retail Value $17.99 (found here for $13.99)
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Just like the welcome note suggested, we found this book to have such a joyful tone. It's lovely to read! The main character is filled with absolute adoration for her mommy, and which is communicated by how very enamored she is by the khimars in her mother's closet. We are taken on a journey through her imagination, as she wraps herself in her mom's khimar in various sweet and playful ways, also choosing to wear it how it's intended at times. One of my favorite parts of the story is the page that tells of her grandmother, who doesn't wear a khimar, and practices a different religion. There is a line that says that they are family and love each other all the same. It's an ever-so-brief side story, but one of great impact in that it celebrates differences within families beautifully.
Something I learned through this book is that a khimar is also sometimes called a hijab. We learn that this character's Arabic teacher calls it that. It helped me understand a little bit more about this garment that, as is acknowledged in the Welcome Note, is so often politicized. Little Feminist is so awesome about giving families jumping-off points to get curious and further learn about topics they're not yet familiar with, especially those of other cultures or life experiences.
Discussion Questions
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Little Feminist always includes a bookmark with discussion questions about the book that was chosen that month. I usually read the book we were sent to my daughter several times before pulling the questions out. They're often my favorite part of the box because toddlers tend to answer open-ended questions hilariously. This month they have us explore various clothing or items that make the young reader/listener feel extra special. My daughter happened to be wearing a long-favorite jumper that day and was excited to say she was wearing it right now! The last question on one side says to go into your parents' closet and tell what colors and shapes they see. We mostly read this book in bed before a nap or bedtime, so we didn't get up to go to my closet. But I do love that that question would otherwise have us getting up and going to explore the items in our home, thinking of them as special. It's a nice incentive to appreciate what we have.
Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $22.95 per month + $2.95 US shipping. Save with longer subscriptions.
Value Breakdown: The December box included one hardback picture book with a retail value of $17.99. It can be purchased on Amazon for a reduced cost of $13.99. That would mean the book curation, activity, and discussion questions hold a value of $7.91-$11.91. While I do feel that the activities have been more involved in recent months, making them feel higher value, I still get stuck on wishing this subscription offered a little more bang for the buck.
Key Takeaways
My daughter holding her new Little Feminist book, which happened to come in the mail on her dad's birthday.
We're really enjoying this month's book selection. As a parent, I'm really happy for any opportunity for my kids to learn about other cultures through literature, giving her an opportunity to ask questions and familiarize herself with those unlike her so that she is a better citizen of the world. I also tend to learn a thing or two through children's books like this one, so win-win!
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? Little Feminist tends to ship the first week of each month. So, if you sign up now, you may still get the December box!
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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