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).
The Cost: $24.95 per month + $4.95 shipping to the US. Save with longer subscriptions.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 50% off your first box with code MSA50!
CODE: MSA50
This review is of the subscription for ages 4-7.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
Opening The Box
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Subscribers can look forward to a colorful unboxing experience, with their easy-to-spot bright red shipping materials and neatly tissue-paper-wrapped contents.
Here's What's Inside
Welcome Note & Activity
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To introduce the books of the month is this welcome card. It tells of September's theme, which is Sights and Sounds of Africa. It's no mystery that literature is a powerful way to learn about different cultures, and these two books are beautiful for their own reasons. The three activities provided require imaginations and, in some cases, a few materials you're likely to have at home, like yarn/string and paper. Very doable! This month we sadly didn't receive any stickers.
Anansi and the Golden Pot by Taiye Selasi (Author), Tinuke Fagborun (Illustrator) — Retail Value $16.99
Found on sale here for $11.99
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We've been receiving a different children's book subscription for the 2-4 age range for a couple of years and been sent many picture books. It was hard for me to envision how picture books might look for the next age up, but this one is a good example: while some spreads have one large illustration and a paragraph of text, others have several scenes depicted and multiple paragraphs of text.
My daughter is newly 5 and this book was a lot for her. The story is quite detailed and dips its toe into the fantasy realm, and as someone with a very active imagination that can at times overwhelm her, it was a little too much. We decided to gift it to her cousin, who is up for more sensory input, and who is a mature 6-year old. She loved it!
Wherever I Go by Mary Wagley Copp (Author), Munir D. Mohammed (Illustrator) — Retail Value $19.99
Found on sale here for $11.99
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The first thing I noticed about this book is how its illustrations are a work of art. By contrast to the playful story and art of the other book in the box, this one is peaceful and solemn. It offers a story to bring a refugee experience to life for little ones, but in a way that's not frightening. It's an important book, and incredibly well-done, but unfortunately it was also not the right moment for my daughter. I had a hard time keeping her engaged, and I suspect it was because there wasn't a lot of "action" in the visuals. I actually wonder if we'd have better success with it trying it again with Anansi out of the picture. But for now, I've tucked it on her bookshelf to 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.
ACTIVE DEAL: Get 50% off your first box with code MSA50!
CODE: MSA50
Value Breakdown: This subscription costs $29.90 including shipping. For September we were sent 2 books that add up to $36.98 at full retain value. Both have discounted prices on Amazon, bringing the total value down to $23.98. If you consider the books at full price, this subscription gives you a $19% discount, plus of course the qualitative benefits of book curation and activity suggestions.
Key Takeaways
This month was a miss for my family. The storyline of Anansi proved a little too mature for my just-turned-5-year-old; the illustrations of Wherever I Go are a work of art but also didn't draw my kid in. We ended up gifting Anansi to an older cousin and tucking Wherever I Go away to revisit when my daughter is a little older.
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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.
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