Little Feminist Book Club is a monthly book subscription box for kids ages newborn to nine years old. Each month you will receive one to two books selected to help diversify your bookshelf for $22.95 per month + $2.95 flat rate shipping. 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 review is of the Book Club for ages 4-7 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.)
First Impressions
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Little Feminist Book Club items come in a distinctive cardboard holder with drawings on it. In addition to the book(s), Little Feminist includes an introduction to the book (which has an activity on the reverse side – see below) and a bookmark with thought-provoking questions.
What's Inside The Box
Powwow Day by Traci Sorell - Retail Value $16.99
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The story is told by a Native American girl named River. Powwow Day is normally an exciting day of dancing, but this year River will not be participating due to an unnamed illness. She is melancholy all day as she see her friends, her family, her people dance for the Creator. The smell of the grass, the sound of the colorful dresses, the sound of the drum used to fill her with joy, but now they are reminders that she is a witness rather than a participant. At first she said she cannot feel the heartbeat of the drums, but as she watches the ceremony she becomes grateful for the tradition, even if she is not part of it this year. By the end of the book, she once again feels the heartbeat of the drums and the healing dance reminds her that she will dance again some day.
My daughter loves dancing to the beat of her own drum – a very silly drum. She likes the outfits and the idea of a group of people dancing together outside, but it was obvious to me she couldn't wrap her head around what they were doing. I showed her a few videos online and she was more enamored by that. She also could wrap her head around someone being named River, which was cute. She was most concerned by why the girl was sick, which is never answered.
From Charlesbridge:
It's powwow day. But then River remembers: she can't dance like she could before she got sick. She's just not strong enough yet. Family and friends surround her with loving encouragement as she struggles with frustration. At last, the healing prayer of the jingle dance reminds her that she will dance again.
What Do You Think Card
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Each book comes with a 'What Do You Think' card that provides questions that you can ask your little reader about the book. They are nice in the way they help you ask direct questions– something that might actually get a real answer rather than "It was good" or "I liked it."
Little Feminist In Action
This month's activity asks your little one to think of someone who could use a pick-me-up and send them a card. We actually write a decent amount of cards and always include the kids. My daughter is usually very thoughtful and loves drawing a lot of hearts.
Verdict
While I don't think this one will be a favorite, this installment from Little Feminist Book Club got my daughter invested enough to ask questions about it, which I consider a win. We've read plenty of books that we just breeze through without any questions, so it's always welcome to have her curious about what she's seeing. Even though this particular book wasn't a huge hit with my daughter, it was still an informative, colorful, and thoughtful install which, which we've come to expect from this subscription.
Value - Was This Box Worth It?
Subscribers – current or future – will have to be understanding of the fact that Little Feminist Book Club is not a subscription that saves you money. The cost of the sub will always be a little more than the book itself. This subscription's true value is the quality of the books and the complementary paperwork, which is carefully chosen and sent to your front door. If you are focused on dollar amounts, this subscription may not be for you. The monthly subscription costs $26 (with shipping). This book retails for $16.99. That is a $9 difference in value. I hate to undermine the publisher more, but the book it for sale on Amazon for closer to $12. The content is always good, but I would understand if some parents were dissuaded by the cost difference some months. Especially after several installments.
One thing to note: Little Feminist offers four ways to purchase: monthly, three months, six months, and 12 months. They cost $22.95, $21.95, $19.95, and $18.95, respectively. Shipping is always $2.95. So if you were certain you'd like this subscription for a year, it would be $4 cheaper per month and much closer to the book's retail value.
To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? You have to order before the 25th to receive that month’s selection. From Little Feminist:
Once you purchase a book subscription your first box will be shipped within a week. From then on, your book box will be sent the first week of every month.
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist.
Do you subscribe to Little Feminist Book Club Box? Comment below with what you thought.
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