Read what Mumsnet users and their children thought of Banjo Robinson’s personalised pen pal experience

[LucyBMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the Mumsnetters who tested Banjo Robinson’s personalised pen pal experience with their children aged 5 to 8. Banjo Robinson is a magical, globetrotting CAT who sends proper, paper post (and creative activities!) to children twice a month, from exciting destinations around the world!

At the same time as giving feedback on the thread below, Banjo Robinson testers also completed a survey. Results from the survey are now in and:

• 88% said they were satisfied with the service, and
• 89% would recommend to a friend or family member

Find out more or subscribe for your child here.

Testers received an initial introduction pack which includes: a personalised letter introducing Banjo and his travels, a world map, stickers to track Banjo’s progress, personalised stickers to use creatively, two sketch pages to colour, a reply page to draw and write their response, a reply envelope with postage stamp stickers and a recipe cards. Banjo then wrote each child a follow up letter detailing his next stop in his travels and including more goodies.

Here’s what Banjo Robinson has to say: “Banjo Robinson is a magical, globetrotting CAT who sends proper, paper post (and creative activities!) to children aged 5 to 8, twice a month, from exciting destinations around the world! Children can write back to Banjo and leave their replies under the sofa for overnight collection by 'Cat Mail’. Our website allows parents to add a paragraph to the end of the next letter their child receives (PS message), so that Banjo can answer their questions, reference their recent achievements, or simply send love and encouragement.

Each delivery includes a personalised letter from Banjo (now written by children’s author, Anna Kemp!), reply stationery, a colouring-in activity, personalised stickers, country facts, and a recipe from each country. Children also receive a big, beautiful map of the world poster with their first letter - they can add country stickers to this as they follow along with Banjo’s world tour!"

Testers, please answer the following questions as well as completing the short feedback survey which we have emailed to you:

1. What did you think of Banjo Robinson, the character?
2. How was your child’s experience of receiving the personalised letter from Banjo?
3. Did you write a PS message in your child’s letter(s)? If so, what did you think of this feature?
4. What stood out for you with Banjo Robinson? Delight and fun, educational benefits or anything else?
5. If you could change one thing about Banjo Robinson, what would it be?

All testers who leave the required feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Non-testers, if you’re reading this feedback and think that your child would like to receive letters from Banjo, you can get 50% off a 3 month subscription using the code BANJOLOVESMN at the checkout, on the Banjo Robinson website. This includes a big, beautiful map of the world to follow along with Banjo on his travels and six deliveries!

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

1. What did you think of Banjo Robinson, the character? I liked the character and that he was an animal. My child was a bit confused though and wanted to know if you could meet him in person.
2. How was your child’s experience of receiving the personalised letter from Banjo? They were very sceptical about the letter at first and thought it was a bit strange that he knew his name and details about our sofa.
3. Did you write a PS message in your child’s letter(s)? If so, what did you think of this feature? Yes I did but again led to confusion as to how Banjo knew stuff about him when he’d never met him.
4. What stood out for you with Banjo Robinson? Delight and fun, educational benefits or anything else? He loved the map and getting the stickers / it helped him learn about new countries. I also loved the writing aspect which we’ve struggled with in the past.
5. If you could change one thing about Banjo Robinson, what would it be? The way you have to leave the letter under the sofa -this just didn’t work for us & led to too many questions lol - it might be because my child is older.

1) What did you think of Banjo Robinson, the character?
He’s quite endearing.

2) How was your child’s experience of receiving the personalised letter from Banjo?
He loves getting post so was very excited. He loved all the bits and pieces.

3) Did you write a PS message in your child’s letter(s)? If so, what did you think of this feature?
I’m not sure about this feature. It could really freak my son out as he wouldn’t feel happy that someone knew things about him. But it’s optional, so everyone is happy.

4) What stood out for you with Banjo Robinson? Delight and fun, educational benefits or anything else?
I liked the educational benefits as they’re presented in such a fun way. However it was nigh on impossible to get him to write a letter back.

5) If you could change one thing about Banjo Robinson, what would it be?
My son is wary of cats as I’m allergic to them. Maybe offer a globetrotting dog as another option?

1. What did you think of Banjo Robinson, the character?

She loved the idea of him.

2. How was your child’s experience of receiving the personalised letter from Banjo?

She was thrilled when it arrived. She did however think it strange/suspicious that the website was printed on the return envelope (although not that a cat was writing to her...)

3. Did you write a PS message in your child’s letter(s)? If so, what did you think of this feature?

Yes - a lovely feature

4. What stood out for you with Banjo Robinson? Delight and fun, educational benefits or anything else?

I love the tooth fairy magic of it - as much as possible in childhood! - and the geography education.

5. If you could change one thing about Banjo Robinson, what would it be?

I’d love it if the map was a proper map, with countries, capitals etc.

1. What did you think of Banjo Robinson, the character?
   Good, fun and interesting character, my son thought he was funny and wanted to engage with him.

2. How was your child’s experience of receiving the personalised letter from Banjo?
   He absolutely loved it, it was magical!

3. Did you write a PS message in your child’s letter(s)? If so, what did you think of this feature?
   Yes, I thought it was a great idea, but could be about half the length again to allow you to make the most of it.

4. What stood out for you with Banjo Robinson? Delight and fun, educational benefits or anything else?
   It was an easy way to get him to engage with writing. It’s been a struggle to get him to write at home for schoolwork, he did all his writing to Banjo with no complaining from him or bribery from me. He finds the whole thing magical, which is greatly needed and appreciated at the moment.

5. If you could change one thing about Banjo Robinson, what would it be?
   Mainly to make the ps section a bit longer so I can answer his questions (that he wrote to Banjo) and ask some back.

1. i loved the character, so did ds, 8.

2. he initially loved it, the envelope is eye catching and bright, but as soon as he opened it and saw how long the letter was he completely lost interest :( he did read it and loved that it mentioned our cat. But he didnt care about replying or what the 2nd letter said. I must say this is my son all over, any other kid would probably be ecstatic about this, and i thought it was an amazing idea. I did think some of the words were too long for him to understand though.

3)i did use the ps bit for the first letter and i loved it added extra personalisation to ds' life. The reminder email to add a ps for the next letter came before we had even recieved the 1st letter though so perhaps that schedule needs rejigging.

4. i loved the hidden geography lesson, and the encouragement it SHOULD give children to write back. The idea of hiding the letter under the sofa is cute too.
5. the length of the letter and some of the language needs simplifying for the younger kids.

1. What did you think of Banjo Robinson, the character?
   I really liked the idea of Banjo Robinson I thought it was a really fun way to engage with kids to learn a bit more about the world.

2. How was your child’s experience of receiving the personalised letter from Banjo?
   My 7yo was quite excited when he received his letter from Banjo. He loved reading it out to his little sister. He really enjoyed finding the countries on the map and putting the stickers on and after a little encouragement he wrote a fantastic reply.

3. Did you write a PS message in your child’s letter(s)? If so, what did you think of this feature?
   Yes I did write a Ps message, I thought this was a great way of making the letter more personal to my son and engage with his replies.

4. What stood out for you with Banjo Robinson? Delight and fun, educational benefits or anything else?
   It was fun, it encouraged my son to get writing which is fantastic.

5. If you could change one thing about Banjo Robinson, what would it be?
   I really think there should be different age ranges and letters tailored suit these.

1. What did you think of Banjo Robinson, the character?
   My 7 years old didn't believe it, especially that it comes during the night to collect letters, she said straight away that parens do it.

2. How was your child’s experience of receiving the personalised letter from Banjo?
   She loved it, she checked the map straight away and put stickers on it.

3. Did you write a PS message in your child’s letter(s)? If so, what did you think of this feature?
   Yes I did, she loved it she couldn't believe he knows so many things about her. That was the most impresive thing for her.

4. What stood out for you with Banjo Robinson? Delight and fun, educational benefits or anything else?
   Everything except that idea that cat will come to your house and collect letter, I think it will be better for them to attach a stamp so they can learn how and post it back.

5. If you could change one thing about Banjo Robinson, what would it be?
   how to send letter back.

Thanks all for giving your feedback. The winner of the prize draw is @SecretScaryFriend