I’ve featured several literary subscription boxes here on the blog before like Bookroo, My Lit Box, Heritage Box and The Story Box. Today, I’m introducing you to a new subscription box that was built on the foundation of exposing children of color to literature, characters, authors and stories that are reflective of them: Just Like Me Box.
After first-time mom, Tamara McNeil, grew frustrated with searching for books featuring black characters, she took matters into her own hands and created Just Like Me!. By day, Tamara is a public relations director for a national nonprofit, and by night, she’s juggling the role of wife, mother, and newly minted entrepreneur.
The mission of Just Like Me! is to spark a lifelong love of reading and self-discovery with every box they ship. Each month they will send you a perfectly curated box filled with 2-3 African-American children’s books and other educational tools. Before making their selections they consider the subject, authors, awards, and prices of each item. Each book is read and discussed by their team before it is included in any subscription box.
Just Like Me! has access to thousands African American themed books. From classic children’s books, board books, award winning literature to books written by new authors sharing exciting new adventures, Just Like Me! hand picks items for your child each month. Books are chosen based on educational value, merit, and awards. The Just Like Me! team will search and identify the books that are perfect additions to your child’s reading list each month.
Our friends at Just Like Me! were kind enough to send us a sample of one of their boxes. It came in a sturdy cardboard box and it was nicely packaged. The theme of their July box was “Black Excellence”. A beautifully designed pamphlet was included which contains a definition of what the word excellent means along with some inspirational words and tips that encourage children to achieve and maintain a high level of excellence.
Our box contained the following items:
1 copy of Sugar Plum Ballerinas Plum Fantastic by Whoopi Goldberg
1 copy of Marvelous Me by Lisa Bullard
1 copy of The Marley Adventures: Get to Know Marley by K. Alicia Bolton
1 copy of Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold
1 copy of The Marley Adventures Activity Book
Just Like Me! is a simple subscription service with no strings attached. You are free to cancel anytime.
Cost: $25 per month plus tax with FREE shipping (includes 2-3 books and other educational tools)
Connect with Just Like Me Box!
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
The Giveaway!
Just Like Me! was generous enough to sponsor a giveaway to receive a FREE subscription box! Sorry international friends, this is only for US residents due to high shipping costs. Good luck to all who enter!
32 Comments
This might be the best idea for a kidlit box I’ve seen in a long time!!
July 8, 2016 at 3:36 pmI know, right? I’m so excited to share this box with everyone…it’s great!
July 8, 2016 at 3:41 pmI’m lovin it!!!! Can’t wait to share just like me box with my friends.
July 8, 2016 at 4:40 pmThis is such a great idea! My wife and I have been looking for something like this box for our daughter.
Fingers crossed!
July 8, 2016 at 4:44 pmLove, love, love this!
July 8, 2016 at 6:27 pmI would give these books to my son, and we would also share them with his cousins! 🙂
July 8, 2016 at 11:56 pmI would love to win this for my daughter. I love this!
July 9, 2016 at 12:48 amI would love to have this for my little girl!
July 10, 2016 at 1:40 amI want to win this for my daughter
July 10, 2016 at 12:30 pmI’d give it away to a deserving kid.
July 10, 2016 at 2:35 pmit would be for my own child
July 10, 2016 at 3:48 pmLove to win.
July 10, 2016 at 5:44 pmI would gift them to my nieces!
July 11, 2016 at 3:31 amI want to win the Just Like Me subscription box for my niece and nephew.
July 11, 2016 at 5:34 amIt would be for my son he enjoys reading.
July 11, 2016 at 12:29 pmWhat a great subscription box!
July 11, 2016 at 5:56 pmMy own child
July 12, 2016 at 2:45 amI would choose this for my children.
July 12, 2016 at 3:01 pmThis would be for my own kids.
July 13, 2016 at 1:29 amI’ve recently acknowledged that my classroom library is lacking in showing quality literature depicting people of color. It’s been my goal to change that this year. This box looks wonderful!
July 13, 2016 at 11:46 amI love that Ms. McNeil saw what our community needed and created it. Thank you for that.
July 13, 2016 at 12:09 pmThis is a wonderful idea! I would get this for my son.
July 14, 2016 at 2:15 pmI would be absolutely in heaven winning this for my children.
July 14, 2016 at 4:41 pmI would love to win this for my own children! We read every day and it is so important to me that they have books where they see themselves in the characters!
July 15, 2016 at 1:12 pmI would love to win this for my daughter who is mixed. She was raised by me and her step dad and is having a rough time with being mixed. This would help her so much learn to accept who she is.
July 15, 2016 at 3:14 pmAdorable idea.
July 15, 2016 at 7:34 pmI would love this for my son and daughter!
July 15, 2016 at 9:06 pmWhat a great box! I’d love to win this for my kids.
July 15, 2016 at 10:29 pmThe books will go to the children’s collection of my local library as they rarely get new books due to budget cuts. Dozens of children will be exposed to them at our reading groups in addition to regular checkouts.
July 15, 2016 at 11:37 pmThese books look wonderful! I’d love to share them with my students.
July 16, 2016 at 12:18 amI would love to win this for my niece & nephews! Thanks for the chance!
July 16, 2016 at 3:45 ami would so love to win this!
July 16, 2016 at 3:46 am