LitJoy Crate is a book subscription service that caters to children. You can get board books for ages 0-2, picture books for ages 3-7 or young adult novels for ages 14 and up. Each box includes one book and two to four book-themed products to enhance the reading experience. I tried October’s spooky Young Adult box. Here’s what was inside:
My LitJoy Crate came in the box above. It was sturdy and clearly marked with their logo.
Everything was packed snugly and padded with shredded cardboard. It all arrived in perfect shape.
At the top of the box were several items. They included a tiny sized book, a coloring card, a necklace and a lollipop. The book is selected works by Edgar Allan Poe. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket but holds several poems and a couple of short stories. Very cool extra for the October box.
The other three items relate to the novel this month. The coloring card and necklace have violins on them that connect with the musical theme of the book. The lollipop has what looks like a bone and blood drop contained inside that correspond to the main characters’ magical blood. The pop was high quality and tasted yummy. The necklace has a metal back and glass overlay making it a pretty addition.
The next objects in the package were a small bag of tea and a plastic infuser. The tea was made specifically for this box and book and holds enough for at least two cups. The flavor was Berry Merlot Black tea. It had a sweet berry flavor making it quite tasty.
The infuser snaps together at the bottom and is shaped like a music note. While you have to add the tea a little at a time due to its narrow opening, it works well once you have it in the hot water. It’s cute and again, ties back to the novel.
Lastly, the box included the book as well as several connected extras. Besides the novel were a letter from the author, a signed book plate, a bookmark and a temporary tattoo. The story this month is Iron Cast by Destiny Soria. It’s a paranormal novel set in 1919 Boston full of music and gangsters. I haven’t read it yet, but I’m looking forward to doing so. The plot sounds intriguing.
I like that LitJoy Crate includes a letter from the author with a bit about the book and why they wrote it. There are a couple of book clubs that do this and I’ve always thought it was a nice personal touch. I also love signed book plates, in essence giving you a signed book. A novel always feels more special with a signature.
The bookmark in this box has a quote by Edgar Allan Poe and a drawing of his face. It’s just a plain black and white cardstock bookmark, but it will get a lot of use in my house. I’m a big Poe fan and it’s a good addition to my bookmark collection.
The temporary tattoo doesn’t tie into the included novel, but to a different novel that came out recently called The Graces by Laure Eve. It’s another story that’s on my TBR list, so it’s fun to have a little reminder.
Overall, this box had a lot of stuff and it was all useable and fun. While it wasn’t a Halloween box, it still had some spooky and candy items, which was nice. I also love that most everything tied into the plot of the book instead of an arbitrary theme.
If you’re looking for a way to encourage your kids to read, this box is a great idea. The excitement of receiving the box in the mail every month is like getting a new present. It’s also awesome for adults who love reading YA.
LitJoy Crate costs $29.99 per month plus shipping which is a good rate. The items in the package are worth that much or more. For an even better deal, try our coupon code CELEBRITYCAFE15 for 15 percent off your first box. If you’re interested in subscribing, click here for more information.