There are so many subscription boxes and services out there. But did you know you can subscribe to get books for your toddler?
What toddler doesn’t like books? Toot loves books and asks me to read to her all the time (even if she doesn’t fully pay attention.)
So obviously, we need some new material on a regular basis. Here are our favorite toddler book subscriptions!
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Digital ebook or real hardcover books?
(Shakespeare voice) That is the question! Whether ’tis nobler to read from a tablet or paper that might be torn?
Well, why not both?
We have one subscription that is for a complete ebook library and one for gorgeous hardcover story books.
Toot likes the hardcover story books right before bed, but asks for the ebooks during the day because it feels more like fun screen time to her.
I mean yeah, tablets or phones are technically screens, but when it’s a book and educational, I don’t count it.
Ebooks are so much better for her than some of the garbage videos on YouTube.
But she feels like she’s playing games so that’s all that matters.
Epic Ebooks
Our ebook library is Epic! Literally. It’s called Epic!
It’s an app for your phone or your tablet plus a full website. So your toddler can explore the ebooks however you’d like.
Our favorite characters and series in Epic’s library:
- Thomas the Tank Engine
- Sid the Science Kid
- The Berenstain Bears (Or Berenstein for those from the alternate 90s.)
- The Magic School Bus
- Clifford the Big Red Dog
It’s so much more than just ebooks
Not only are there regular ebooks on Epic, they also have “read to me” books. The narrator will read the books to your child and highlight the words to draw attention to them.
It helps prep your toddler for reading later. They learn the concept that printed words have meaning and sound. Plus, it gives you a break from reading.
Videos
They also have short educational videos. If your toddler is like Toot, they’ll like the videos. She’s always asking to watch videos.
Highlights
Remember Highlights magazine from your dentist’s office waiting room? Well, they have articles from Highlights on Epic too! It’s never too late to be a 90’s kid.
Audiobooks
And they have audiobooks! I’m definitely an audiobook person. For some reason, I can get through a 15 hour audiobook faster than reading a 200 page printed book.
But they have audiobooks for your toddler which is nice for listening to in the car. They’re different than the “read to me” option because there’s nothing really to look at. It’s just audio and a photo of the cover.
But they’re performed by an audibook narrator similar to what you would hear in an adult audiobook. Some even have music to go with it.
Bilingual Books
Do you have a bilingual baby? (or just wish you did like me)
They have foreign language books in French, Spanish, and Chinese.
I took 6 years of French, and I can probably read at first grade level. But some of the foreign language books are bilingual so they have English translations on each page. So if you’re like me and aren’t fluent, they’ve got you covered.
It’s a good way to introduce a language to your toddler.
Or if your family is fluent in French, Spanish, or Chinese, there are books that are strictly in that language without translation.
We definitely recommend it.
Bookroo hardcover books
Some of our favorite bedtime story books have come from Bookroo.
They send a monthly subscription box (addressed to your toddler, which is super cute.) And the books are wrapped up like presents!
Your choice of book types:
- 2 Hardcover picture books for ages 2-6
- 3 Board books for ages 0-2
The books you get are a surprise
As with most subscription boxes, your books are a mystery. You just have to choose the book type you want.
We started with the hardcover picture story books because I wanted her to grow into them. Plus I LOVE gorgeous picture books. And they pick out the best ones.
You’re not likely to already have the books they send you because they’re books that have been recently released.
They’re not super popular books but more like diamonds in the rough. (Did you read that in Jafar’s voice? Because I can’t read that phrase without hearing it.)
We loved one of our Bookroo books so much we bought it for Toot’s BFF for Christmas. It was called Land Shark, and he loves it too.
His aunt even asked me what kind of “experience” gift or subscription gift she could give him for Christmas, and I told her about Bookroo. So he has a subscription now too!
What kind of books come from Bookroo’s subscription box?
Here are some of the books we’ve gotten:
These are for the 2 book hardcover picture book option.
A Girl and Her Gator is one of Toot’s absolute favorites. I hadn’t heard of any of the books we’ve received. And we’ve loved every selection.
Bookroo is easily one of our favorite book subscriptions.
Does your toddler have any book subscriptions?
Let me know in the comments below! And let me know if you’ve tried either of these book subscriptions for toddlers, or if you know of any others!
Both Epic and Bookroo make great experience gifts for toddlers and preschoolers because they get new books to experience, they get to unwrap the Bookroo box, and there’s no toy clutter.
Consider getting your child a book subscription for Christmas or their birthday!
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