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Original poster

Mystery books received in post

40 replies

Jessicat1986 · 28/05/2020 06:10

Hi all,

Yesterday a parcel was delivered to me with three books but without a note or invoice. I haven’t ordered these books. So I googled the return address and called the company (Myles Robinson, Unicol Engeneering, Oxford, OX3 8EU). They said they’d received about 30 other calls over the past couple of days with the same story. They don’t know the sender, Myles Robinson and they haven’t sent anything so they’re looking into it with the Post Office. Apparently all the other people that called are all over the country and have recently had a baby or have got a young child.

Has anyone else received these books? If so, so you know who or where they’re from?

The books received were BABY’S VERY FIRST TOUCHY-FEELY ANIMALS PLAYBOOK, THE TRAIN TO IMPOSSIBLE PLACES and POPPY AND SAM’S RUBBER STAMP ACTIVITIES

OP posts:
SionnachGlic · 28/05/2020 06:22

Hi.. did to sign up for anything when you were pregnant or in hospital or buying some baby equipment ...you know those surveys where if you participate you sre included in a draw for A, B, C or children's books?

RedFoz · 28/05/2020 06:25

The health visits gave me a few free books after my baby was born (last year). But they were from a larger group who encouraged children to read. Maybe they are getting the details from the HV and sending out books? You'd think there would be a note though.

Plumpi · 28/05/2020 06:30

Did you get your bookstart pack normally? Maybe they're doing this because of covid.

Original poster
Jessicat1986 · 28/05/2020 10:11

@RedFoz

The health visits gave me a few free books after my baby was born (last year). But they were from a larger group who encouraged children to read. Maybe they are getting the details from the HV and sending out books? You'd think there would be a note though.
I’ve emailed my Health Visitor and she said it’s nothing to do with them so the mystery is still unsolved! I haven’t signed up to anything so I’m so confused!
OP posts:
Original poster
Jessicat1986 · 28/05/2020 10:14

@Plumpi

Did you get your bookstart pack normally? Maybe they're doing this because of covid.
I haven’t signed up to anything and I’ve messaged the women I did NCT with and they haven’t received anything. It just seems a random group of people have received them and the fact the return address is a company that hasn’t got anything to do with any baby or book sites/companies just seems a bit odd to me 🤔
OP posts:
Zippys4484 · 28/05/2020 10:19

Hi there.

We also received a parcel this morning with the exact same books in it!! So bizarre!!
Who are they from? Same sender name: Myles Robinson. I’m more concerned that who sent them has our address.

ScarfLadysBag · 28/05/2020 10:24

There's a Myles Robinson who runs a direct mailing company...

LastTrainEast · 28/05/2020 11:09

I’m more concerned that who sent them has our address come now. This may be a promotion of some kind. What do you imagine they will do with your address.

A very long time ago I got a book with a handwritten address that was presumably meant for someone else, but no return address. It was the Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett and that led to me eventually buying the whole series and getting a lot of enjoyment out of it.

Wish I could thank whoever it was.

ThePlantsitter · 28/05/2020 11:15

I reckon it might be something to do with the Dolly Parton reading scheme. She gets local representatives to send books by getting businesses to sponsor or do the mailing.

I only know this because I applied to do a PhD funded by her scheme (and heard nothing back) so that's all I know. Probably some mumsnetter is actually doing the PhD.

mindutopia · 28/05/2020 11:16

How old is your baby? It's very possible it could be Bookstart. They usually give you 3 books sometime when your baby is a few months old (maybe 3-4? months, I don't remember). It is usually sent to the HV to give to you at a visit, but maybe they've all just been sent out directly by Bookstart, but in a not very thoughtful way.

ThePlantsitter · 28/05/2020 11:16

imaginationlibrary.com/uk/ here.

mindutopia · 28/05/2020 11:21

You don't sign up for Bookstart. They just appear one day with the HV. It's free. To do with the library and promoting reading.

SoupDragon · 28/05/2020 11:21

Try emailing the BookTrust and asking if they know as they are the ones who do Book Start I think.

PrincessFabian · 28/05/2020 11:26

The Train to Impossible Places is unlikely to be a bookstart book - it's not a baby book, it is for 8-12 yr olds

AHall · 28/05/2020 11:47

I received the books this morning and have been racking my brain.. did you sign up for oxford owl reading??

NMC20 · 28/05/2020 11:50

The exact same thing arrived in the post at our house yesterday!!

Original poster
Jessicat1986 · 28/05/2020 11:56

Don’t get me wrong, I’m very grateful for the books, it’s just seems so odd that they don’t come with a note to say who they’re from, and the fact that the return address is some poor, unsuspecting company that have nothing to do with it! 😂
My baby is 3 months old, so 2 of the 3 books are definitely not age appropriate. Although I’ll probably end up reading the Train to Impossible Places to him anyway!
No, haven’t signed up to Oxford Owl Reading either.
It’ll probably be one of those things that eventually finds its way into the news at some point because they have nothing but Coronavirus to report about at the moment..

OP posts:
Original poster
Jessicat1986 · 28/05/2020 11:58

Did you call the company? They took the first part of my postcode to see if there was any pattern to where they’d been sent but it appears they’ve been posted all over the UK. I’m in Worcestershire.

OP posts:
NMC20 · 28/05/2020 12:06

I haven’t called them. I also haven’t signed up for anything other than ellas kitchen. I’m pretty strict about sharing details so I’m struggling to think where or how these have arrived with us.
Like you they aren’t age appropriate and as they don’t come with any sort of note and the return address doesn’t make sense I’ve binned them! Just feel uneasy about them. I also feel guilty for binning them but it’s more for a just in case.
Very very odd 🧐
Let me know if you solve the mystery!!

Fairyinthemud · 28/05/2020 12:17

Glad I’m not alone in this, received them this morning, thought they might be from a well meaning relative or friend at first as they are nearly age appropriate for each of my three boys but googled the sender and this thread came up. I’ve got no idea where they have come from but noticed they are all Usborne books. I wonder if it could be some sort of promotion by the publisher, or someone trying to get some amazon reviews?

mogtheexcellent · 28/05/2020 12:24

There is a Myles Robinson trust which is associated with primary schooling I think? Bit random to be sending books out though. Maybe worth contacting them?

SoupDragon · 28/05/2020 12:32

I also feel guilty for binning them but it’s more for a just in case.

Just in case of what?

7ofNine · 28/05/2020 12:36

You binned three books? Confused Shock
Why didn't you just pop them out on a public thoroughfare with a note saying "free to a good home"?

ScarfLadysBag · 28/05/2020 12:38

Why would you bin them?! Did you think someone had injected Covid-19 into every page? Confused Just give them away if you don't want them ...

Lmunro · 28/05/2020 12:50

I received these today in the post too! Live in Worcestershire too. the envelope was opened and only 2 books in it so someone had taken the other book by the look of it. I was also curious and googled the address and found this thread. Very curious indeed but my kids are happy x