Disclosure: I received a subscription toZooBean for the purpose of this review. All opinons are 100% my own.
I've been bursting to tell you about Zoobean for over a month, so - phew - very glad I can share this with you today!
ZooBean is primarily a personalized book-of-the-month service for children. The books are hand-picked just for your child, according to the information you provide.
When you first sign up, you choose your child's age, and then give some information about what your child is interested in. Do they prefer stories about animals or people? Ballerinas or trucks? There are many options and I was able to find ones even for my eccentric little one. (One of the areas of interest is "Not so pink girls." Checked that one for sure!) Next you choose the reading level - from read-aloud to chapter books for older kids.
When you first sign up, you choose your child's age, and then give some information about what your child is interested in. Do they prefer stories about animals or people? Ballerinas or trucks? There are many options and I was able to find ones even for my eccentric little one. (One of the areas of interest is "Not so pink girls." Checked that one for sure!) Next you choose the reading level - from read-aloud to chapter books for older kids.
You can even choose an honorific to add to the beginning on their name - Little Miss/Mister, Prince/Princess or Young Lady/Sir.
Kay had just started her "princess phase" when the first package came, so the fact that the address label came to "Princess Kay" was enough for her. "It's from Cinderella!" she exclaimed. She was so ridiculously excited by this that I couldn't bear to bring reality into play. She'll have a lifetime of reality; magical moments end all too soon. Inside the book was..."The Monster Princess." Well, that clinched it. Definitely from Cinderella.
Kay had just started her "princess phase" when the first package came, so the fact that the address label came to "Princess Kay" was enough for her. "It's from Cinderella!" she exclaimed. She was so ridiculously excited by this that I couldn't bear to bring reality into play. She'll have a lifetime of reality; magical moments end all too soon. Inside the book was..."The Monster Princess." Well, that clinched it. Definitely from Cinderella.
I have to say, when the first month's selection came, I felt that they had nailed it with the story about a goblin who wants to be a princess. But, one time could be a fluke, right? I reserved judgement until month 2. That was a story called "The Pet Dragon," which includes Chinese characters on each page to go with the story. We spent time after reading it trying to copy some of the characters and Kay had fun guessing what they meant as we went through the story. Nailed it again!
ZooBean has 2 options - you can choose to have a book shipped to your home each month, or just can pick the online-only SmartList.
ZooBean recently rolled out it's SmartList, providing recommendations for apps and books personalized to your child, along with reading guides and app companions. (If you subscribe to the home delivery, you will get a reading guide to go with the story you received, including questions to ask for guided reading and activities to extend the learning.)
ZooBean recently rolled out it's SmartList, providing recommendations for apps and books personalized to your child, along with reading guides and app companions. (If you subscribe to the home delivery, you will get a reading guide to go with the story you received, including questions to ask for guided reading and activities to extend the learning.)
For parents, there is a news and information section with articles that you may find interesting. (Surprisingly, I usually did - and I'm pretty picky!) For example, month 2's articles included helping children retain early memories, the importance of risky play, and how reading comprehension is lower for e-books than actual books.
What makes ZooBean stand out is that the books are hand-picked by educators, librarians, and parents.
I can't say enough about this service. Kay loves that it comes in her own name, and I love that she's excited about reading again (something that had been waning, much to my dismay). I think what separates ZooBean from just any other "toy of the month" or "book of the month" program is that no subscription is the same, as it is individualized to your child, based on the information you give them. I recently reviewed another service where you get a box with a few toys each month, and it had very little to interest Kay in there. Founders Jordan Lloyd Bookey and Felix Brandon Lloyd have hit it out of the park with this one!
I can't say enough about this service. Kay loves that it comes in her own name, and I love that she's excited about reading again (something that had been waning, much to my dismay). I think what separates ZooBean from just any other "toy of the month" or "book of the month" program is that no subscription is the same, as it is individualized to your child, based on the information you give them. I recently reviewed another service where you get a box with a few toys each month, and it had very little to interest Kay in there. Founders Jordan Lloyd Bookey and Felix Brandon Lloyd have hit it out of the park with this one!
But don't just take my word for it. Try out the ZooBean SmartList for 60 days - FREE (no credit card required).
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