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Join in for children's book recommendations.

Join in for children's book recommendations.

Children's books

Has anyone tried The Reading Chest?

18 replies

TuttiFrutti · 14/04/2010 13:51

I saw an advert for this yesterday and thought it looked quite good, but then I wondered how it works in practice. It's a borrowing books scheme, a cross between a public library and a DVD rental I suppose, where you get children's books delivered to your house and then send them back when you've finished and get new ones.

It's quite expensive I think, at minimum £9.99 per month, but maybe it would be worth it if it stopped us buying books.

Has anyone used this? Does it work well? Did you like the books?

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Takver · 14/04/2010 19:57

Can't help - but I wonder why anyone would use it when there are public libraries available for free?

Especially as in most places these days you don't seem to get fined for childrens books being late, plus you can request books for free (over the internet in our county if you want to!).

TBH I rarely buy childrens books for dd unless it is something particularly special and they don't have it in the county.

Downsouth · 14/04/2010 21:24

My friend told me about this. I wasn't sure but the library only has a few so I joined just before Easter and it has worked really well. I have selected all their book schemes except for the one DD gets from school (Oxford Reading Tree) as he's probably read them already. We've got 8 new books already this holiday, and he loves the Project X books.

I think you can cancel anytime so it may be worth a try.

curlywurly68 · 14/04/2010 22:32

Our school gives us enough books at moment so not tried it, but got a leaflet about Reading Chest in DDs book bag with a discount code if anyone is interested. (SCH008 which should give you £1 off each month for 6 months.)

cazzybabs · 15/04/2010 10:08

umm I might sign up for the summer holidays - it looks good, although it is expensive! If it were half the price I would have no hesitation, - ALSO it is a shame thy don't have proper books leveled.

Takver · 15/04/2010 10:23

I still don't understand why it is better than the library?

Seems like a lot of money to me for something that is available for free . . . and surely the librarian would help with sorting out books at an appropriate level if that is a problem?

cazzybabs · 15/04/2010 10:28

yes ..but I find it hard to get to a library

Takver · 15/04/2010 13:40

fair enough - that makes sense

TuttiFrutti · 15/04/2010 14:49

Thanks everyone for your replies. Yes, I suppose the only differences from a public library are (a) that it actually delivers the books to you in the post, so much more convenient, and (b) they are properly sorted into reading levels, unlike at our local library where the children's section is just a big jumble of books for all ages from babies to 5 year olds, all together in one bookshelf. Also our local library doesn't have a great choice.

Downsouth, that is interesting that you have actually tried it and think it works well.

Thanks for the discount code Curlywurly! That always helps

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lottaluvin · 16/04/2010 14:05

I looked into this but I think we'd end up repeating the books DS brings home from school as school seem to have all of the publishers and bring home a selection. DS brings home 2 a night and works through a box and a half by the end of the week. We ask for a couple extra at the weekend so we finish 2 boxes a week. All the titles I looked at were part of his boxes. I'm assuming they have an exhaustive list?

Can't you just ask for extra books from the teacher?

Ours generously gave 3 boxes of six for the holidays.

Good idea for summer I imagine, as I'm not sure what we'll be allowed to take home with us....

peroni · 18/04/2010 22:25

I am a Reading Chest member and it is saving me loads of money. I used to buy at least one book a week for DS just from book shop(sorry - I'm just not very gook at getting to libraries). Now that DD is also reading I started buying packs of Oxford Reading Tree books from Amazon etc. With Reading Chest I can get 12 books a month shared between both of them for £12.95.I guess it seems expensive if you would normally go to the library but not if you would buy books.

lollypops72 · 30/04/2010 11:06

I have signed up to Reading Chest for my DS,he was getting really bored of the fiction books at school and Reading Chest do loads of great non-fiction books that he can read properly,because i found school/libary ones tend to be way beyond his level,my DS is just starting to read so I combined to 2 into one package and it actually makes its fairly resonably priced.

rose12345 · 20/12/2012 11:30

I'm a big fan of reading chest! have been a member for 1.5 years! great choice of books, deliverd to your home and fantastic, polite & helpful staff!! I don't think £9.99 per month is expensive at all!

JiltedJohnsJulie · 20/12/2012 11:55

rose its good that you don't find a tender a month expensive but lots of people do, I know I wouldn't pay it but then we use the library a lot.

simpson · 20/12/2012 12:00

I signed DD up to the reading chest when she was in nursery (last year) as she was not allowed reading books until reception

She literally eats books and will only read a book twice so it actually works out cheaper then buying them.

I also use the library too and the Oxford owl website is good too.

redlac · 20/12/2012 12:03

I've used it in the past (but had to cancel due to lack of money) and I think its fab. I never get a chance to take DD to the library so it was a good way for me to get her fresh books and she did love getting the books addressed to her in the post.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 20/12/2012 12:08

I suppose we are lucky then. I don't work on Saturdays so going to the library is no problem and if we are ever too busy on a Saturday our library is open until 7 two days a week.

Iamnotminterested · 03/01/2013 22:02

(quick wave to Simpson who I recommended Reading Chest to) hang on, that doesn't sound grammatically correct? Anyway, yes, love TRC, used it with dd2 a couple of years ago when we had a bit of a stalemate with her teacher over her comprehension ability and have signed up again for DD3 wHo is in reception and is enjoying a variety of clearly levelled books in addition to her slow paced school books, has come on leaps and bounds over the holidays and goes to bed "to read like my sisters". Very good service and kicks oneself for not coming up with the business idea!

Iamnotminterested · 03/01/2013 22:26

(quick wave to Simpson who I recommended Reading Chest to) hang on, that doesn't sound grammatically correct? Anyway, yes, love TRC, used it with dd2 a couple of years ago when we had a bit of a stalemate with her teacher over her comprehension ability and have signed up again for DD3 wHo is in reception and is enjoying a variety of clearly levelled books in addition to her slow paced school books, has come on leaps and bounds over the holidays and goes to bed "to read like my sisters". Very good service and kicks oneself for not coming up with the business idea!

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