Picture this: It's reading time, and your 6-year-old suddenly has a stomachache. Or needs water. Or remembers something "really important" they have to tell you. Sound familiar?
You want nothing more than for your child to fall in love with books—to experience that magical moment when stories come alive and reading becomes something they crave, not something they avoid. But somehow, reading time keeps turning into a battle of wills, and you're left wondering if you're doing something wrong.
If you've ever felt that pang of worry watching other kids devour books while yours would rather do literally anything else, you're not alone. At this age (5–7), some kids are natural bookworms, while others need a little extra nudge to discover that reading can be just as exciting as their favorite video game.
That's exactly why we created Lil Readers Book Club. As parents and educators ourselves, we knew there had to be a way to make reading irresistible—to help kids connect with stories in a way that feels natural, fun, and engaging, rather than forced.
How Lil Readers Book Club is Different
The truth is, most kids don't resist reading because they can't do it. They resist because it feels disconnected from their world of hands-on exploration and active learning. Traditional approaches often treat reading as a separate, sit-still activity, when what kids really need is to see stories come alive.
That's the core philosophy behind Lil Readers Book Club. We're not just another subscription box with random books and activities. Every single box is curated by real educators (who happen to be parents too) with one primary goal: helping children develop a genuine love for reading and strong literacy skills that will serve them for life.
We designed Lil Readers Book Club as a monthly subscription that brings stories to life through carefully chosen themed books, complemented by hands-on activities that deepen comprehension and make the reading experience memorable and FUN!
Each box includes three carefully chosen children's books selected for their ability to captivate young readers, plus thoughtfully designed activities that help children connect with the themes of the stories on a deeper level. And (here's what we're most proud of) we include an easy to follow parent guide that doesn't make you feel like you need a teaching degree to nurture your child's reading development.
When children can touch, create, and play with story elements, reading transforms from something they have to do into something they want to do. That's the magic thats built into every box.
In addition to monthly subscriptions, we also offer a rotating selection of one-time boxes based on past themes - perfect if you want to test the waters first.
"Lil Readers is a big deal in our house! It's been a game changer for our daughter’s love of reading."
- Lil Readers Book Club Member, featured on My Subscription Addiction
What Comes in a Lil Readers Box?
Every Lil Readers Book Club box includes:
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Three themed, age-appropriate books that your child will want to read again and again (yes, really!)
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Hands-on activities and crafts that reinforce comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills (with all materials included, so no last-minute store runs for that one random thing you don’t have!)
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Workbook & Parent Guide full of simple instructions, literacy tips, and discussion questions that are easy for kids and parents to follow
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Educationally-sound materials that support reading development while keeping the focus on fun and discovery
The activities included aren’t just fun add ons - they’re a collection of crafts and activities to support comprehension, expand their skills, and enjoy learning about a particular book or new theme. With every box delivery, families get a complete literacy building experience that feels like play.
Here’s a peek inside some of the past Lil Readers Book Club boxes so you can see exactly what we mean:
The Camping Box: Storytime Under the Stars
Theme focus: Outdoor adventures, opposites, teamwork
Perfect for: Summer reading, camping trips, outdoor lovers, or just embracing the great outdoors
When we designed the Camping Box, we wanted to capture that magical feeling of adventure that comes with camping...even if you're just setting up camp in the living room! We've watched kids transform their spaces into base camp headquarters while secretly working on opposites, problem-solving, and teamwork skills through their new books.
Featured Books
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Fred and Ted Go Camping by Peter Eastman
A funny story about two opposite friends on a camping trip—great for teaching contrast. -
Peg + Cat: The Camp Problem by Jennifer Oxley and Billy Aronson
This is a math-focused story set at summer camp with teamwork and problem-solving. -
P.J. Funnybunny Camps Out by Marilyn Sadler and Roger Bollen
A silly, sweet tale about camping and challenging assumptions.
Crafts & Activities
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Lantern Craft: Create a glowing paper lantern to hang in your window.
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Bird Feeder: Make a feeder and see what backyard birds come to visit.
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Day & Night Campsite Craft: Spin your plate to show day turning to night.
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Campfire Hands Craft: Build a tissue-paper campfire with your handprints!
Each project ties back to the camping theme and gives kids a hands-on way to retell or act out the story. The hands on activities we include connect to the themes that they’re learning about in their monthly box so that they can take their learning even deeper (this is what we call learning disguised as fun!).
Hop Into Spring: A Box Full of Blooming Fun
Theme focus: Spring, Easter, friendship
Perfect for: Easter baskets, seasonal learning, or just welcoming warmer weather
When we created this box, we hoped it would be a perfect alternative to candy filled Easter baskets! A little dream that made our educator hearts so happy!
Featured Books
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Mr. Impossible and the Easter Egg Hunt by Roger & Adam Hargreaves
A whimsical egg hunt that gets a little too tricky for its own good! -
Catch That Egg! by Lucy Rowland and Anna Chernyshova
Floppit the Bunny causes chaos in this energetic, funny story. -
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Spring by Eric Carle
A seasonal favorite full of nature, blooming gardens, and colorful illustrations.
Each book is carefully chosen by our team of educators to support literacy development while exploring seasonal themes. Whether your child devours books or you're still working on building that reading habit, there's always something new to discover as a book club member.
Crafts & Activities
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Hatching Egg: Make a spring chick pop out of its decorated egg.
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Tissue Paper Flower: Craft a bright bloom to gift or display.
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Stuffed Bunny: Stitch together your own cuddly bunny friend.
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Very Hungry Caterpillar: Create a moving caterpillar inspired by the book.
These projects don't just keep little hands busy—we designed them to build fine motor skills while reinforcing reading comprehension. It's like sneaking vegetables into mac and cheese, but for learning.
Community Helpers: Real-Life Heroes
Theme focus: Local heroes, field trips, safety
Perfect for: Teaching kids how communities work and who keeps us safe
This box was one of our most loved themes, and we love how it opens up conversations between parents and kids about all the people who help make our communities work. Families tell us that every outing or trip to the grocery store becomes an opportunity to spot community helpers in action.
Featured Books
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The Gingerbread Man: Loose on the Fire Truck by Laura Murray and Mike Lowery
A funny twist on the classic tale—this time at a fire station. -
The Night Before the Dentist by Natasha Wing and Amy Wummer
A helpful look at visiting the dentist, with a comforting bedtime lead-in. -
Hello Hometown Heroes by Toni Armier and Anna Jones
Rhyming verses walk kids through a town full of essential workers.
Each new book showcases real-life professions in a kid-friendly way, opening the door to career awareness, empathy, and curiosity about the world around them. These learnings make a big difference in helping kids understand their world.
Crafts & Activities
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Community Helper Town: Build a paper town complete with buildings and characters.
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Fire Truck Craft: Make your own Gingerbread Man fire truck.
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Mail Carrier Letters: Write notes and deliver them using...
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Mail Carrier Bag: Your own handmade messenger bag!
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Community Helper Bingo: Take your bingo card out and check off real-life helpers.
Between the hands-on activities, pretend play opportunities, and real-world connections, this box keeps families engaged for weeks. And yes, weeks—not just the initial afternoon when it arrives. Between the supplemental materials, pretend play, and real world themes, learning about community helpers is always a favorite!
The Big Bad Box: Fairy Tales with a Twist
Theme focus: Fairytale retellings, perspective, storytelling
Perfect for: Kids who love silly villains and mysteries
We created this box for kids (or their grown ups!) who've heard the classic fairy tales approximately 847 times. Our goal was to breathe new life into familiar stories by flipping perspectives and adding mystery elements that surprise both kids and parents.
Featured Books
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The Three Little Pugs and the Big, Bad Cat by Becky Davies and Caroline Attia
A twist on the classic tale—this time with pugs and a sneaky cat. -
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith
A hilarious retelling from the Wolf’s perspective. -
What Really Happened to Humpty? by Jeanie Franz Ransom and Stephen Axelsen
A mystery-style story uncovering the truth about that famous fall.
These aren't your typical fairy tales—we chose thoughtful twists that encourage kids to think about perspective, question assumptions, and consider different viewpoints.
Crafts & Activities
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Three Little Pigs Puppets: Build your own storytelling puppets for each house and character.
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Humpty Dumpty Craft: Reconstruct your own Humpty!
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Wanted Poster: Create a mugshot and backstory for your favorite villain.
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Big Bad Wolf Puppet: Make a paper bag wolf puppet for retelling or inventing stories.
This box includes books kids love and will genuinely want to revisit over and over again (some may even become their new favorite books). The creative activities were designed to encourage storytelling, comprehension, and critical thinking—skills that extend far beyond reading time (one of the many benefits of being a part of a children's book club like Lil Readers!).
Why Families Love Lil Readers Book Club
Here's what we hear from families about why they stick with Lil Readers Book Club:
It's easy for parents. No prep required, no hunting for supplies, no wondering if you're explaining things correctly. We include everything you need, along with clear guidance so you're never left wondering if you're "doing it right."
It's genuinely screen-free fun. In a world where it's easy to default to devices, the Lil Readers Book Club is an engaging alternative that kids actually choose over screen time.
It builds real confidence and reading skills. You know that moment when your child suddenly "gets" something? You'll watch your child experience those breakthrough moments as they have fun engaging with developmentally appropriate activities.
The activities connect to the books or themes. No random crafts just for the sake of keeping hands busy—everything we include reinforces the themes, vocabulary, and comprehension skills from the stories.
It grows with your child. We carefully calibrate our content for early readers ages 5-7, so whether your child is just starting to read independently or already devouring books on their own, there's appropriate challenge and support.
If you've been looking for ways to make reading more engaging, Lil Readers Book Club might just be your answer. Lil Readers makes reading fun, meaningful, and easy to integrate into everyday life.
With a box of pre-prepped materials and guided support through the accompanying parent guide, parents don’t have to plan ahead—and kids get excited to explore new books and themes each month. It's a big difference from traditional book boxes that just send a book and a bookmark.
If you're exploring ways to make reading fun on your own, joining a children's book club like Lil Readers box is the perfect way to build literacy skills, connection, confidence, and curiosity in your early reader.
Ready to Join the Fun?
Shop Our One-Time Boxes
Want to test the waters? Explore our previous box themes while supplies last. They're perfect for seeing if this is the right fit for your family.
Subscribe to Lil Readers Book Club
Join the community of parents who've found their go-to solution for making reading time something they look forward to. With a monthly book subscription, you'll receive a new box each month that supports literacy and imagination—delivered right to your door, prep-free and ready to go.