Review: Bookabees for handpicked book boxes for children

‘I want to start reading it now!’

As soon as we had opened the Bookabees book box sample we’d received to review, the children wanted to dive into their new books. The books had been selected based on their age and interests and the information I had sent about the children, and I couldn’t have done a better job myself.

With Bookabees the parcel for six-year-old Big Girl included one chapter book that looks just perfect, and is similar to what I would have selected in a bookshop or library if I’d taken time to search through the different sections. It also included Frida Kahlo Little People Big Dreams (Lincoln Children’s Books, £9.99), which inspired us to go see the exhibition at the V&A, and there was also a picture book in the box, which I often forget to look at for Big Girl. For three-year-old Big Boy there were three funny books about monsters, dinosaurs and pirates, which suited his interests perfectly, and both of their boxes also included bookmarks to colour in and other activities.

Bookabees is aimed at inspiring children to read more, and I think it can help take the stress out of book-buying for parents.

When I’ve talked about it to friends, I’ve describe Bookabees as a type of online library, where users also have the option to keep the books. Subscribers pay a monthly fee per child and fill in a quick survey about the child, which helps Bookabees select suitable books. Subscriptions range from £4.99 to £10.99 a month, deepening on the number of books in the book box, and the books can be kept for up to two months.

After finishing with the books, parents can pop them in the pre-paid return packaging, which holds up to 10 books. There is also the option to keep the books and be charged 50% of the RRP per book, or order a new version of the book at a 30% discount.

I think many parents would find Bookabees could help take the stress out of ensuring the children have access to books that are likely to interest them, and I also think the concept will appeal to families that find the house overflowing with books that the children have finished reading and may not read again.

An interesting and innovative book club!

Tags: Book club, Bookabees, Children's books, Library, Subscription service