FAQ
WHY PICTURE BOOKS?
Picture books carry a special responsibility on their slim spines; since they are aimed at the youngest audience, they serve as a child’s introduction to reading, to art, and to the world itself. In their pages are discovery, reassurance, wonder, and empathy.
But picture books are about much more than what is happening in their pages; the act of reading a picture book together -- words spoken out loud, child tucked into the crook of an arm, worlds discovered with one another -- is a sublime form of bonding.
HOW DOES THE PICTURE BOOK CLUB WORK?
1. You pick a subscription package.
2. At purchase, you tell us as much or as little as you want about the child or family who will receive the subscription, and we will customize our book picks accordingly.
3. Each month, we will send the recipient a surprise picture book.
4. The book will arrive gift-wrapped and will come with a personalized
WHAT KIND OF BOOKS CAN I EXPECT TO RECEIVE?
Our subscriptions are comprised of a mix of hot-off-the-presses discoveries, classic and recent favorites, and overlooked gems. Each subscription will vary based on (1) the age of the recipient; (2) any customization information you provide to us; and (3) the books that are particularly delighting us at the time of your order.
We realize that trusting someone you don’t know to pick out books for you is a leap of faith. While we can’t guarantee that everyone will like every book we pick, we can guarantee a few things:
(1) we have personally read and loved every book we send out
(2) our child labor force has also read and loved every book we send out
(3) our love for each book we send out has survived many, many readings (see #2 above)
WHAT AGE IS A PICTURE BOOK CLUB SUBSCRIPTION APPROPRIATE FOR?
Our subscriptions are aimed at children 0-8 years old.
HOW DOES CUSTOMIZATION WORK?
Purchasers say things like:
"My daughter is equally interested in princesses & fairies and cars & trucks. I would love for her to have some stories about princesses that do not come from Disney" or
"[This kid's] parents come from the public radio-film world, and appreciate urban charm and quirkiness" or
"My nephew is adopted and bi-racial; we'd like him to receive some books that reflect that diversity" or
and we try to pick books we think they'd like.
No algorithms are used in the making of our subscriptions; every book is picked for every kid by yours truly!
WHY A SUBSCRIPTION FORMAT?
In our age of instant gratification, we think there’s something wonderful about having a gift unfurl over a period of months, rather than all at once. We also are hard-pressed to think of someone who doesn’t love receiving presents in the mail.
THAT SAID...
We understand that sometimes nothing will do but immediate gratification, which is why we offer Book Bundles:
WHAT IF I ALREADY OWN A BOOK YOU’VE SENT?
You have a few options:
(1) re-gift it;
(2) list all the picture books you currently own in the customization form (seriously, feel free to do this!) so we will know to avoid those;
(3) opt to receive advance notice of the book we’re planning to send you that month. If you already own it, we’ll pick another book for you.
Please note that The Picture Book Club does not accept returns.
HOW SOON AFTER I PLACE MY ORDER CAN I EXPECT TO RECEIVE MY FIRST BOOK?
Generally, you should expect to receive the first book of a subscription within about 4-6 weeks of your order. If you need it to arrive sooner, email us at info @ thepicturebookclub.com. We are often able to get books out quickly enough to arrive for a special occasion; just let us know what your needs are.
WHO ARE YOU?
I’m a lifelong lover of picture books and have read thousands of them -- as a child, as a mother, as an editor, and during the long stretches of time when I’ve had no “excuse.”
STILL HAVE A QUESTION?
Email us at info @ thepicturebookclub.com.
WHAT MAKES A PICTURE BOOK CLUB SUBSCRIPTION SO SPECIAL?
Every book in every subscription is hand-selected by me.* And every book in every custom subscription is hand-selected with each individual recipient in mind.
While I can’t guarantee that everyone will like every book I pick, I can guarantee a few things:
(1) I read hundreds of picture books every month. It's the rare book that I deem worthy of inclusion in The Picture Book Club.
(2) Every picture book I send out has delighted, surprised, inspired, or moved me in some way.
(3) Every picture book I send out has been tested on my child labor force that is conveniently headquartered in my home. They have to approve, too.
to have met my exacting standards, as well as those of my child labor force. of inspired, delighted, surprised, or moved me both me and my child labor force.
*WHO ARE YOU, ANYWAY?
Before starting The Picture Book Club, I worked as an editor, a writer, and a lawyer.
The picture books I was exposed to as a child remain some of my most vivid and cherished encounters with literature and with art.
Now that I'm a mother, few things make me happier than curling up with the little ones and reading a book together.
Click the images below to read customer stories and testimonials.
WHAT AGE IS A PICTURE BOOK CLUB SUBSCRIPTION APPROPRIATE FOR?
Picture Book Club subscriptions are generally appropriate for children 0-8 years old. I can also include chapter books for slightly older kids.
Click the images below to read more customer stories and testimonials.
WHAT IF WE ALREADY OWN A BOOK YOU'VE SENT?
You have a few options:
(1) re-gift it;
(2) list the picture books you currently own in the customization form (seriously, feel free to do this!) so I will know to avoid those;
(3) opt to receive advance notice of the book I'm planning to send you that month. If you already own it, I'll pick another book for you.
Please note that The Picture Book Club does not accept returns.
HOW SOON AFTER AN ORDER IS PLACED WILL OUR FIRST BOOK ARRIVE?
Generally, you should expect to receive the first book of a subscription within about 4 weeks of your order. If you need it to arrive sooner, enter that information in the customization form or use the contact form at the top of this page. I am usually able to get books out quickly enough to arrive for a special occasion; just let me know what your needs are.
CAN WE HAVE THE FIRST BOOK SENT TO US SO WE CAN PRESENT IT AT A BIRTHDAY PARTY/BABY SHOWER/HOLIDAY GATHERING?
Absolutely! Just note this in the customization form when you check out. The first book will be sent to you and subsequent books in the subscription will be sent directly to the recipient.
DOES THE PICTURE BOOK CLUB SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?
At the moment, Picture Book Club subscriptions only ship to U.S. addresses.
STILL HAVE A QUESTION?
Use the Contact form at the top of the site to get in touch.