This week, instead of reviewing local books, I’m reviewing a new local children’s book subscription business, called Josh and Cherie Books. If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Dayre, you might recall seeing a photo collage of Noah with our very own subscription box of books a few weeks ago.
Noah loves receiving parcels (who doesn’t?), and could hardly wait to open his very own box of books. He shook it a little to figure out what was inside, then declared, “I think it’s books, Mummy!” I have no idea how he knew, but since I order books for him quite frequently, it was probably a no-brainer.
Josh and Cherie Books is founded by a newly-married couple, who were browsing in a bookstore one day, and realised that the variety of children’s books in Singapore is quite limited and expensive. Thus, they decided to start this children’s book subscription business, with the aim of inspiring the love of reading, through the excitement of receiving books as gifts. The subscription price is always lower than store-bought books, and the books are carefully curated for each of the three age groups (0-2, 3-4, 5-7 years old), individually wrapped (like presents!), and delivered right to your doorstep.
Being the auntie that I am, I went to Book Depository to check out the prices of the two books we received, just to see if they’re really more expensive than the subscription price of a Josh and Cherie box. On the Space Station costs $18.13, while There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly costs a whopping $25.17!
The two books we received are actually from the 5-7 age group, as I specifically requested for an older age group for Noah, since we already have so many books targeted at his age group. Personally, I felt that ‘There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly’ was more suitable for the 3-4 age group, since it’s a pop-up book, and the text is repetitive, which appeals more to younger readers. I honestly don’t think a 7-year-old would be interested in it! Noah was more drawn to it initially, because of the colourful illustrations and pop-up pictures, but after we read ‘Inside the Space Station’, he said, “I prefer the space book, Mummy! It’s more interesting.”
Flipping through the pop-up book
‘Inside the Space Station’ was perfect for Noah because he is currently into the whole Space theme, and we haven’t really read anything about the International Space Station yet. What makes this book a winner, is the special shine-a-light feature. You can either hold the book up to the light, or shine the torchlight provided behind each page, to see the hidden images. It’s sort of like a lift-the-flap book, but more fun. Noah loved being able to do that, and even after we read the book twice, he sat quietly by himself to go through the pages again on his own. All non-fiction books should be this fun, I say!
Flipping through ‘Inside the Space Station’
Using the torchlight to discover the hidden image
If you’re a parent who is perpetually clueless about which books to get for your child, then I think this service provided by Josh and Cherie Books would be ideal. You get two or three new books a month, and you can even opt to add a Chinese book to your subscription. They also have gift boxes, and you can choose from either the standard Josh and Cherie Box, an Adventure Kit or a Character Kit. Personally, I find giving (and receiving) books a much better option than toys or clothes, so if you’re at a loss for gift ideas, perhaps you can check out Josh and Cherie Books too!
Happy reading (and shopping)!
*Disclaimer: We received a box of Josh and Cherie books for the purpose of this review. All photos and opinions are, as always, our own.
SPECIAL DISCOUNT CODE FOR READERS OF GROWING WITH THE TANS
In conjunction with National Reading Day, get 20% off your first month’s subscription with the discount code READFORLIFE16! You can also use GROWINGWITHTHETANS12 to get $12 off the 6-month subscription, or GROWINGWITHTHETANS30 to get $30 off the 12-month subscription. All discount codes are valid till 15 July 2016. Remember to place your order before the 15th of the month, in order to receive your Josh and Cherie Box on the last week of the month!
PS. Josh and Cherie Books are having a special giveaway on Instagram, where all customers, regardless of whether they are a 1-month, 6-month, or 12-month subscriber, will stand a chance to win a 12-month extension of their current subscription. There are two other consolation prizes to be won as well, so do check out @joshandcheriebooks on IG for more details. Contest ends on 15 July 2016. Good luck!
Check out the previous Friday Flips posts HERE. I’ve also created a photo album on Facebook with some other good reads, and will be updating it whenever I come across more books that we enjoy. Do pop by for a look HERE.
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