Would you use a kids' book subscription?

[KidsReading]

Hi all,

I have an idea for a book subscription for kids – not just to be sent a book a month, one size fits all, but a more curated choice for a child's likes and needs.

Anyway, my question is – have you ever signed up/do you sign up to a kids' book subscription? What was good? Bad? If you haven't - what puts you off?

Thanks in advance!

No

We use the library and they often receive books as gifts

Honestly no...the library is fantastic and I can just give the books back so I don't have to store them

I wouldn't - my children love the library and visit bookshops every few weeks. I also love choosing books for them as gifts, so I wouldn't like someone else choosing for us.

A big bit of enjoyment is reading is…. Selecting the book that you’re going to read from all the wonderful ones out there

no way would my children want that decision taken from them

and not would I - neither for myself or them

Unless you live isolated in the middle of nowhere books are one of the easiest things to get hold of.
Libraries, via school, charity shops, people passing books on, free community book shelves... and of course just buying them from shops - even supermarkets sell them.
I really don't see the need for a subscription service.
Sorry.

And even if I’m arse end of nowhere

Amazon!

Sorry OP another one for no. I either get books second hand cheaply or free from the library. I think it would be hard to offer a subscription for something that is available for free.

I think it’s a really nice idea if it allowed me to discover new books which I might not have chosen myself - for example, from new authors and illustrators, or those from other countries.

Perhaps a Stitch Fix type model - where you answer a quiz about what sort of thing you might like, and are then given a selection of books you can accept or reject / swap out - would work. I think I’d be interested in that if it helped me to find new stuff as well as serving up classics. Especially if it had a benefit of saving some money eg 10% off if you kept the whole package.

I think if the books were full price + postage, I’d rather just choose them myself. Although it means I would miss out on the benefits of a more curated service.

Im often gifted Waterstones and national book vouchers for my two (a toddler and a baby). I do have a library nearby but the selection for young kids is crap.

Please don't apologise. I want to hear all views! I've also never used one, even though I have the idea, and use the library often too.

Another question if I may, where do you find out about children's books? Do you just go into a shop and choose from what's there, or go to Amazon and choose something from the charts/first couple of pages? Or do you use a website such as Love Reading 4 Kids or Toppsta?

Thanks again :)

The books that have been a success in the past

I put in to Amazon and they they show a huge list of

“you may enjoy…”

and

“other customers purchased…”

You can nurture a love for reading with your child without a book subscription. Don't waist your money.

Waste sorry

Again the library. They have little curated themes on display or if I have a subject we're interested in I'll just google children's books on x. Or I'll go the op shop and pick up the classics.

Recommendations from friends, and then if I and my son like them, looking at what else that author / illustrator has done. We’re full on Julia Donaldson converts in this house.

Shamelessly seeing what is on friend’s bookshelves, and especially what DS seems to like from them.

Books from my and DH’s childhood - Mog, Elmer, Judith Kerr, Mr Men, Beatrix Potter.

Sometimes I’ll look up books that cover a particular theme - eg not hitting - or activity - eg encouraging an interest in music, following up DS’ deep and abiding love for cars, cats and Bluey.

Nursery also do a ‘book of the month’ which I’ll always look up if we don’t have it.

That keeps us going!

Did you start a thread about setting up a kids book group for 8-12 year olds?

Yes I have, twice done an annual subscription as gifts (once for my own kid so I can comment on how nice the books were!). From Smallprint Books. Really lovely unusual selection of books - arty and educational, which I never saw in the shops/library. Love them to this day (subsequent baby is using them).

I certainly don’t see it as a waste of money but nor was I doing it as a way to nurture a love of reading in my children. I think they just have that naturally in my experience. I bought these subscriptions because they provided books I wouldn’t come across or buy myself - they’re arty, unusual, an indulgence and a pleasure :)

I'm.sure there used to be a website that did this.

It would send you books targeted for your kid. Can't remember the name.

Will see if I can find it.

Yeah.

Loads come up if you google.
Kids book subscription box.

And they all gear the books towards your kids interests.

It's a nice idea I think the market is very small.

We had one from Willoughby, it was good and was exactly as you said. However it got less good as the 6 months went on - DD was at the age of picture books but I deliberately said she wanted a mixture and not very girly, but she got a few that were very twee, DS had short chapter books and liked a couple of them but some of them were a bit dire/strained (think formulaic things e.g. "by" sports personalities, not classics or newer fun ones).

No we wouldn't. We love going to physically pick a book either at the library or the shop. The kids spend a lot of time reading the blurbs and deciding what they want.