First Impressions is a series that introduces and reviews new brands to My Subscription Addiction, drawing from readers' requests for an insider's first look. Interested in seeing more reviews from this brand, or have another box in mind that you'd like to see reviewed? Let us know in the comments.
StoryCaptain is a children's book subscription that focuses on fostering empathy, understanding, and connection through literacy. Each box comes with 2-3 books, an activity guide, and a fun little freebie. The book selection is under the care of children's literature experts to ensure that every book in your box is both developmentally appropriate and will spark joy. There are two subscription options: one for kids ages 0-3 (board books), and one for ages 4-7 (picture books).
Today I'll be unboxing the StoryCaptain book subscription box for ages 4-7.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 50% off your first box with code MSA50!
CODE: MSA50
The Cost: $24.95 per month + $4.95 shipping to the US. Save with longer subscriptions.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
How are the books selected?
The StoryCaptain team looks extensively through children's books to identify ones that feature great stories, have beautiful illustrations, and will spark your child's imagination. From that pool, an on-staff children’s librarian and highly accomplished children’s author pair up to finalize the selection.
From their website: "Each month, we are looking to uncover two to three hidden treasures per club that are not already on your bookshelf and that showcase diverse perspectives on the theme."
Good to know
StoryCaptain strives to choose books that aren't likely to be found in families' home libraries already. But if you already have one of the books you were sent, they invite subscribers to email them a picture of both books [email protected], and they'll send you a coupon toward your next renewal.
What's Inside The StoryCaptain Subscription Box?
1 of 5
The books of the month arrived in a large, flat box with a fun, bright red color. Inside, the two books were wrapped neatly in tissue paper and topped with an intro card.
1 of 3
The card introduces the theme of the month—for July it's "Doctors in Training." The back of the card includes 3 on-theme activities. Each has a visual rating of how difficult setup for that activity will be. There's a QR code on the bottom of the card that you can scan for more instructions and ideas. We haven't tried any of the activity ideas yet, though I appreciate that the supplies needed are likely found in most homes: a doctor kit, paper bags and straws, and playdough. We were also sent a cute sticker sheet with a peach alongside cartoonish eyes, legs, arms, and accessories for your child to make a funny summer scene.
Doctor Ted by Andrea Beaty (Author) and Pascal Lemaitre (Illustrator) — Retail Value $19.99 (On sale here for $17.19)
1 of 5
The first book included in this month's 4-7 age group box is Doctor Ted. It's about a young bear who wakes up and bumps his knee, and proceeds to use childlike reasoning to become his own doctor when he can't find one. He then goes about his day assuming his mother, teacher, and more as his patients, assigning them comical problems that he offers to solve. Mostly they are much to the recipient's dismay!
This book was quite fun for my almost-five-year-old—she got a kick out of the problems and solutions Ted came up with, like his principal needing a shot to cure his bad breath, and giving his teacher two cookies when she hurt her ankle. It's a story that goes quite haywire, playing right into the type of humor that many children in this age group find hilarious. It's a pick-me-up of a read!
I see online that there are other Ted books: Firefighter Ted and Artist Ted. I may have to complete our set.
Shine-A-Light: The Human Body by Carron Brown (Author) and Rachael Saunders (Illustrator) — Retail Value $18.99
1 of 5
The second book on the theme of Doctors in Training is this incredibly cool approach to teaching about the human body. There are quite a few "body" picture books out there, including one we received a couple of years ago through a different book subscription, which takes a very loud and blatant approach to teaching body parts—and quite honestly it makes us uncomfortable so we tend to avoid it. I think there are tasteful ways of calling body parts and functions by name, and this book included in StoryCaptain here nails it. It addresses our bodies' bones, muscles, fingerprints, and lungs. It touches on the blood, nerves, senses, and digestion. It talks about being sick and breaking bones, even sleep and dreams. Of course it doesn't serve the same function as a book showing the name of each body part, but it's awesome for kids ages 4-7 who already know that stuff.
I like the pace of the book—most topics span about two pages, and there are questions throughout. There is a lot of text, but also a lot to spot in the photos, so if 4-year-olds can't sit through all the words yet, this book still has a ton to offer.
1 of 3
The coolest part about the book is its shine-a-light feature. Each spread has one aspect of the photo with a hidden body part in it. If you have a flashlight on hand, your child can shine it through the back of the page to make the body part show. Above, you can flip through the photos to see the bones of an arm appear on the X-ray when my flashlight shines behind it. In the third photo, you'll see that when you turn the page, the skeleton arm is addressed so that the book can still be enjoyed fully even if a flashlight isn't available.
To be honest, my kid was a little spooked by this book! She loved it when it was just illustrations of kids playing alongside drawings of unseen body parts. When she used the flashlight to view the pictures of kids with their guts showing, it didn't sit right with her. So, we will tuck this one away for a year and we'll try again later.
Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $24.95 per month + $4.95 shipping to the US. Save with longer subscriptions.
This subscription is lovely! The bright packaging makes it exciting to spot on your doorstep when it arrives. The books themselves are quality, and they're age-appropriate. I love that there is a theme to guide us and that there are coordinating activity suggestions—compared to other kids subscriptions, that's a lot of suggestions. The little bonus goodie (this month it's the peach sticker sheet) is the cherry on top.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 50% off your first box with code MSA50!
CODE: MSA50
Value-wise, this box costs $29.90 including shipping, and the two books we were sent for July add up to $38.98. I thought this was a great value!
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, as of this review's publication, this box is still available. After placing your order, your first box will be shipped within 3 business days. For subsequent boxes, they will be shipped either at the beginning or the middle of each future month.
What do you think of StoryCaptain's offerings? Click below to write a review!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.