Raising Kids Activities Best Baby Book Subscriptions [Add subhed] By Nicole Bonaccorso Nicole Bonaccorso Twitter Nicole is an expert in healthy family living, diet and exercise, and wellness. Her work has appeared on Weather.com, AskMen.com, Upworthy, NBC.com, RetailMeNot, and Mashable. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 20, 2023 Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD Medically reviewed by Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD LinkedIn Tyra Tennyson Francis, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician and currently serves as the medical director of an outpatient clinic. Learn about our Medical Review Board Fact checked by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact-checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. It’s never too early to start building your child’s library. Luckily, there are plenty of baby book subscription boxes on the market to help you collect the books that will help your baby's vocabulary. A study conducted at the University of Melbourne found that children who were read to earlier in life showed better rhyming ability, verbal comprehension, and concept formation. These linguistic competencies are beneficial for their later academic development and life skills. A book subscription is a great way to get parents and young children excited about reading. You’ll get new titles regularly to help your baby better understand the world and strengthen your bond with them. Here are our picks for the best baby book subscription boxes on the market today. Best Baby Book Subscriptions of 2023 Best Overall: Literati Kids Best for Toddlers: Bookroo Best for Boosting Creativity: Owl Post Books Best for Learning Concepts: My First Reading Club Best for Diverse Characters: Ourshelves Best for Bilingual Families: Sol Book Box Most Affordable: Amazon Prime Book Box Kids For Animal Lovers: My Zoo Box Best Baby Book Subscriptions View All Best Baby Book Subscriptions Our Top Picks Literati Kids Bookroo Owl Post Books My First Reading Club Ourshelves Sol Book Box Amazon Prime Book Box Kids My Zoo Box See More (5) Final Verdict Compare Providers How to Choose FAQs Frequently Asked Questions Methodology Best Overall : Literati Kids Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $10 per month (shipping included), plus the cost of the books you choose to buyDelivery: MonthlyNo. of Plans: 4 for different age groups Why We Chose It Literati Kids has a try-before-you-buy service for books. You and your little one will get a week to decide which books to keep before buying or returning. Pros & Cons Pros Unique book choices Prepaid shipping label for returns Four book clubs offered for four different age groups Cons Late returns not accepted Little control over what is sent Overview You’ll receive five carefully curated books for your child's age group every month with the Literati Kids’ Club subscription. Once you receive your books, you’ll have a week to decide which ones you want to buy. After seven days, you keep the books you want and return the rest using the prepaid shipping label provided. The cost of each book will either match or beat Amazon's listed prices. When signing up, you'll need to choose the appropriate age group for subscription: Babies & Toddlers Box for 0 to 4 years old; Preschool Box for 4 to 8 years old; 3rd-5th Grade Box for 8 to 11 years old; and 6th-8th Grade Box for 11 to 14 years old. Each month’s box has a fun theme, and in the past included math, Wit +Wisdome, Star Wars, Infinity + Beyond, which explored space, and exploration, and Game On, which focused on athletes and sports. Boxes ship monthly, and you’ll pay around a $10 per month subscription fee, plus the cost of the books you purchase. Best for Toddlers : Bookroo Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $22 per month or $18 per month for an annual planDelivery: Monthly or every other monthNo. of Plans: 2 Why We Chose It Your toddler will love receiving their Bookroo delivery because each book is individually wrapped, so it feels like a real surprise. You can choose a subscription for babies and toddlers ages 0 through 3 or kids ages 3 through 6. Pros & Cons Pros Books for ages 0 through 3 and 3 through 6; books for older groups available as well Each book is wrapped like a gift Flexible payment options Cons Least frequent option is every other month No international delivery Overview What toddler doesn't love a gift? Bookroo makes a book subscription fun for babies to toddlers because each book is gift-wrapped, upping the excitement your child will experience when their new books arrive. You can choose between the board book subscription (suited for ages 0 through 3 years), which comes with three books each month, or the picture book subscription (suited for ages 3 to 6 years), which comes with two books per month. Subscribers can save money by paying for three, six, or 12 months upfront. There is also an option to pay monthly if you prefer. Annual prepayment comes to about $18 per box, a six-month prepayment comes to about $20 per month, and a three-month prepayment comes to approximately $21 per month. Monthly payments without prepayment are around $22. Users can also opt for a box every other month. Best for Boosting Creativity : Owl Post Books Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $15-$34 per month; free shippingDelivery: Monthly No. of Plans: 3 Why We Chose It We chose Owl Post Books as best for creativity because each box comes with a craft and an interactive experience. Pros & Cons Pros Choose between 1 or 3 books per month Each delivery comes with a seasonal craft Each delivery includes an interactive box Cons All subscriptions are monthly No refunds Overview Not only does Owl Post Books deliver handpicked new reads to your door every month, but each interactive box comes with a seasonal craft for your child to enjoy as well. While the youngest subscribers may not be able to craft quite yet, it may come in handy as babies and toddlers develop a sense of creativity. Subscription options include: The Imagination Box with three hand-selected books for about $32.99The Imagination Mini with one hand-selected book per box for approximately $14.99The YA Fantasy Imagination box, which caters to older children, and includes three YA novels per box for about $29.99 When subscribing, you’ll select your child's age range from 0 to 13 and YA. Best for Learning Concepts : My First Reading Club Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: Around $16.99 to $19.99; free shippingDelivery: MonthlyNo. of Plans: 5 Why We Chose It If you're looking for monthly deliveries of books that teach learning concepts like colors, numbers, and shapes, My First Reading Club does just that. Pros & Cons Pros Offers board books for baby 0-2 and toddlers 3-5 all the way up to 12 years old Learning concepts addressed in each box Gift for parent in each box Cons Website difficult to navigate Customer service is not easy to contact No set shipping schedule Overview The books in each My First Reading Club box teach key learning concepts for babies and toddlers, including colors, numbers, shapes, sign language, the senses, beginners’ Spanish, and motor skills development. Each box packs three books and a gift for the parent, so you’ll both have a fun time bonding while opening each package. Subscribers can cancel any time and receive a refund for the books that didn’t yet ship. The book subscription offers books tailored to the youngest babies through 12 years old. The youngest age group is 0-2 and offers sturdy board books safe for teething babies. You can pay monthly, which costs about $19.99. You can also prepay for three months at roughly $19 per delivery, six months for approximately $17.99 per box, and a year for around $16.99 per month. Shipping is always free. Best for Diverse Characters : Ourshelves Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: Price varies based on a subscription plan; Starts at $14.99 quarterlyDelivery: QuarterlyNo. of Plans: 3 Why We Chose It OurShelves features books with black and brown characters, LGBTQ characters, neuro-diverse characters, and more. The subscription is a great way to fill your child’s bookshelf with relatable and diverse characters. Pros & Cons Pros Offers diverse books for babies and kids Activities included in the 3-book and 5-book subscriptions Free shipping Cons Only ships 4 times per year Only available in the U.S. Can become very expensive Overview Children should see people who look like them in their books as well as out in the world. You can start diversifying your child’s bookshelf early by subscribing to OurShelves; the youngest age range is for babies ages 0-2. The subscription includes characters of different racial backgrounds, LGBTQ characters, and neuro-diverse characters. Another great thing about OurShelves is that the company uses consumer power to advocate for existing and still-needed diversity in children’s books. OurShelves shares data with publishers about the types of books consumers are interested in and much more. Subscribers can choose from two plans—quarterly or annually: One book per box costs roughly $14.99 per delivery.Three books per box and an activity to encourage further discussion is $35.97 per box. Each subscription ships four times per year. Best for Bilingual Families : Sol Book Box Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: Starts at $22 upwards to $38 per month; free shippingDelivery: MonthlyNo. of Plans: 3 Why We Chose It Sol Book Box ships monthly deliveries of bilingual or Spanish children’s books to your door for children ages 6 and younger. Pros & Cons Pros Books are individually gift wrapped 3 payment plan options Hard-to-find books shipped straight to your door Cons Base subscription only offers one book for $22 Cannot select age range Overview Another way to diversify your child’s reading list is to include bilingual or Spanish books on their shelves. Sol Book Box delivers one hard-to-find bilingual or Spanish board or picture book to your door every month with an added activity and an extra surprise. Each book is gift-wrapped to make the delivery extra special. Parents can choose from three different plans, all with free shipping: Monthly Classic Book box ($22 per month) includes one beautifully illustrated, culturally relevant picture book. Subscribers choose to receive either Spanish-language or bilingual titles.Armour Gift box ($33 per month) includes two Spanish or bilingual board books and one age-appropriate toy, activity, or keepsake. Parents can choose the language and highlight genres that best resonate with their little ones.Sol Learner box ($38 per month) includes one hand-selected, age-appropriate bilingual picture book, one high-quality, educational Spanish game or activity and one extra surprise. Most Affordable : Amazon Prime Book Box Kids Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: $20 a box; the first box has a small discount at $17 plus tax. Shipping is freeDelivery: Every 1, 2, or 3 monthsNo. of Plans: 3 delivery plans; 4 age groups Why We Chose It Amazon Prime Book Box Kids is one of the most affordable baby subscription boxes. Each box is $20, and subscribers can choose the frequency of deliveries to match their budget. Pros & Cons Pros Choose delivery every 1, 2, or 3 months Saves up to 40% off list prices Four board books in every “baby to age 2” subscription Cons Most books are very popular and subscribers may own some already Must have an Amazon subscription Overview For a more affordable and flexible option, Amazon Prime Book Box costs about $20 per box, which is about 40% off book list prices, and has free shipping. Subscribers can choose to have a box delivered every month, two months, or three months. Customers will receive four board books in every box for the “baby to age 2” subscription. Books include popular titles and those that are widely loved. Prime members can sign up for a Book Box profile but selecting their child’s age group and the preferred delivery frequency. For the first box, you’ll have the option of choosing titles. After that, you’ll get a preview email to review the selections and make changes before it ships. Choose from alternate titles or skip that month’s box. For Animal Lovers : My Zoo Box My Zoo Box Learn More Key Specs Pricing: $19.95 to $37.95 depending on the length of the subscriptionDelivery: MonthlyNumber of Plans: 5 Why We Chose It My Zoo Box will keep you and your toddler engaged each month with a fun animal-themed book, a plushy animal toy that matches, and lots of fun activities. Pros & Cons Pros Each month is focused on a different animal Box includes a book, toy and craft, game, or activity Box sent on the same day each month so you know when to expect it. Cons You do not chose the book or animal theme for the month Animal theme can become boring after a few months for some toddlers Overview My Zoo Box is perfect for animal lovers. Each monthly subscription box includes a book, plush animal friend, art or science activity (all supplies included), animal anatomy poster, postcard from the animal, recipe, and sticker for the zoo passport (provided in the first subscription box). There's also a special extra surprise. My Zoo Box is a perfect option for those who want to gift a book subscription but aren't too familiar with the child's likes or the books already in their home library. Unlike other subscriptions that require you to choose the age and desired theme or preferences for the child, all you have to do is sign up, provide the address and payment info, and the first box will be shipped on the seventh of each month with a different animal. The Mini Zoo subscription starting at $24 a month is perfect for children ages 2 and up and includes an animal friend, book, passport sticker (in the first shipment only), and postcard. Final Verdict Our favorite baby book subscription on this list is Literati Kids for the unique try-before-you-buy service where you and your little one get a week to decide which books to keep before buying or returning. But if you're looking for a diverse book subscription, we love Ourshelves for the representation of black and brown characters, LGBTQ+ characters, and neuro-diverse characters. Compare the Best Baby Book Subscriptions Subscription Pricing Delivery No. of Plans Ages Literati Kids Best Overall $10 per month (shipping included), plus the cost of the books you choose to buy Monthly 6 Newborns to 13+ Bookroo Best for Toddlers $22 per month or $18 per month for an annual plan Monthly or every other month 4 Ages 0-3 and older Owl Post Books Best for Boosting Creativity $15-$34 per month; free shipping Monthly 3 0-13+ My First Reading Club Best for Learning Concepts Around $16.99 to $19.99; free shipping Monthly 4 0-2 and up OurShelves Best for Diverse Characters Price varies based on a subscription plan; starts at $14.99 quarterly 4 times per year 3 0-2 and up Sol Book Box Best for Bilingual Families Starts at $22 upwards to $38 per month; free shipping Monthly 3 6 and under Amazon Prime Book Box Kids Most Affordable Approximately $20 per box; free shipping Monthly, every other month, or every 3 months 3 0-2 and up My Zoo Box Best for Animal Lovers Starts at $19.95 to $37.95; free shipping Monthly 5 2 and up Guide for Choosing the Best Baby Book Subscriptions Are Baby Book Subscriptions Right for Your Child? Baby book subscriptions can help parents save time and money building their child’s library. They can also deliver hard-to-find and unique books that parents otherwise may never come across in a bookstore. Book subscriptions are a great option for families who prioritize reading with their children. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages all parents to read aloud to their children because activity can enrich parent-child relationships and enhance children’s social-emotional development while preparing children to learn language and literacy skills. Comparing Baby Book Subscriptions There are book subscriptions for every family out there, whether you’re looking for books that feature diverse characters, teach key learning concepts, or encourage bilingual skills. Here are some key factors we recommend considering when purchasing a book subscription: Price: Does the subscription fit your budget? Is it flexible so that you can order more books or fewer per delivery or adjust the frequency of delivery to better fit your budget? Age ranges: Look for a plan that fits the age of your child or children. Some of the best book subscriptions offer plans for multiple age ranges, so you can continue as a customer for years as your child grows.Subject matter: Do the books address subject matter that's important to your family like diversity, learning concepts, and creativity? Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions How Much Do Baby Book Subscriptions Cost? Baby book subscriptions can cost anywhere from $10 per box to nearly $50 per box. Some lower-end monthly subscriptions may also charge for the books you decide to keep. What Do You Get With Baby Book Subscriptions? You may receive anywhere from one to five books monthly or in intervals of every other month, every two months, or four times per year. Some baby book subscriptions have bonus items such as activities, crafts, or gifts for the parents. Can Baby Book Subscriptions Help With a Child’s Development? Research shows that reading to a child from infancy can boost their vocabulary and reading skills later. For example, reading to your baby encourages them to look, point, touch, and answer questions. Your baby also improves their language skills by copying sounds, recognizing pictures, and learning new words. Plus, it helps with social development and thinking skills. So the sooner you start filling those bookshelves with books to read to your child, the more robust your collection may become in the future. Who Chooses the Books for the Subscriptions? Typically, experts, teachers, parents, and reviewers at the subscription service curate book choices each month based on the type of subscription and themes. What if I Find That the Subscription Does Not Fit my Baby's Needs? You may have to test out a few different subscriptions before you find the perfect fit for your baby's needs. It might be best to subscribe to a couple of services for a month at a time until you find the perfect fit. Your baby may also grow out of a subscription. In this case, either check with the company to see if there is a more age-appropriate option or test a new service or two until you find a better fit. Methodology We considered 31 book subscriptions when compiling this list. To narrow it down to the best options, we assessed book selection, price, ages catered to, character and author diversity, educational value, and delivery locations. VerywellFamily / Design by Amelia Manley Article Sources Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. SAGE Open. The sooner the better: Early reading to children. High PC, Klass P, Donoghue E, et al. Council on Early Childhood. Literacy promotion: An essential component of primary care pediatric practice. Pediatr. 2014;134(2):404–409. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-1384 AAP News. Reading with children starting in infancy gives lasting literacy boost. Nemours KidsHealth. Reading books to babies. Updated by April McCormick April McCormick April is the health editor for performance marketing at Verywell, where she oversees family health, wellness, and lifestyle content. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, Verywell Mind, Verywell Family, Verywell, Fit, Verywell Health, Time, Parents, Parents Magazine, The Straits Times, The Huffington Post, TripSavvy, Parenting, First Time Mom and Dad, Mama Mia, All4Women, the New York Times Bestseller, A Letter To My Mom, and more. Learn about our editorial process Edited by Simone Scully Simone Scully Simone is the health editorial director for performance marketing at Verywell. She has over a decade of experience as a professional journalist covering pregnancy, parenting, health, medicine, science, and lifestyle topics. Learn about our editorial process and Ally Hirschlag Ally Hirschlag Ally is an expert in health, science, sustainability, wellness, mental health, and parenting. She has written for publications including The Washington Post, The Guardian, BBC Future, and more. Learn about our editorial process See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies