FAQs

Below, find answers to some of the most common questions we're asked.

Still need help? Contact us and we'll respond ASAP.


In order to handle increased holiday volume and meet shipping deadlines, NEW ORDERS placed November 21 - Dec 31 will ship throughout the month of December. In order to avoid shipping congestion and guarantee ontime delivery, The Reading Bug recommends the "Fast Shipping & Priority Mail Upgrade," if possible.

Recommended order dates for on-time delivery for the Christmas holiday (as outlined by USPS and UPS) are as follows:
- Standard Mail: Dec. 10
- Priority Mail: Dec. 18
To help ensure a happy, stress-free holiday, The Reading Bug recommends placing your order as early as possible!

The cut-off for shipping is the 20th of each month. Boxes ordered before then will ship on the 20th - and a few boxes may ship in the weeks before. Because each box is custom and hand-picked by our staff, it takes several weeks for us to pick all the exciting books for every subscriber. If you have a special shipping/timing request, please let us know and we may be able to accommodate. The "priority mail" shipping option at checkout will help get your first box delivered more quickly if needed. Email us with additional questions or requests.

Books for each Reading Bug Box are selected by the expert booksellers at The Reading Bug, our independent children's bookstore. As booksellers, we eat, sleep and breathe children's literature, and our selections reflect our experience reading books at storytime, working with local schools and talking with the children and parents who shop with us every day.

Personalized subscriptions include books that are hand-selected by a member of our store staff and perfectly matched to the recipient, based on the specified age and interest of each child. We are confident each Reading Bug Box is packed with love, attention to detail, and the very best books we can find.

The number of books in each box will vary but you always get more value than you pay for. Our curated baby box contains 3 board books. Our personalized boxes contain 3-4 books. This too may vary depending on your preferences (for example, if you want all hardcover books, there may be less per box).

A Reading Bug Box for 2 children is packaged and delivered in a single box and is meant to be shared. The box will usually contain 5-6 books per month, some for each recipient and, where possible, at least one book to share. We love this option, especially for children who are closer in age, because it allows our expert booksellers to choose books that can be shared or passed down. You'll save 10% over the cost of 2 boxes and also save on shipping.

Reading Bug Box is primarily a book box, so books are the main attraction! We will frequently include other "extras," however, but the size and value of these extra items will vary month-to-month and child-to-child. Some examples might include stickers, art supplies, small games, or activities - and we try to match any extra items to the books in the box.

Our monthly mini-magazine also contains activities and details about our favorite books, which you can request be added to future boxes, or can purchase from our store at www.TheReadingBug.com.

Because we know your child's age, we'll adjust our personalized selections as they grow. Every few months, we'll include a "what's new about you?" card in your box. Fill this out and get it back to us ASAP whenever you have new interests to add! Changes will take place within the next 1-2 boxes, based on your subscription. If you have updates in between receiving cards, simply email them to us at bugbox@thereadingbug.com. Any time you want to give us information to help refine our book selections, we welcome it!

Note: Our Baby Bug Box is not personalized... if you'd like to adjust selections for a Baby Bug recipient, please upgrade to a Reading Bug "Read to Me" Box.

We'll pretend we didn't just hear that! Like I said, we're book experts. It's our job to know how to match the best books to every young reader, regardless of their age, interests or reading level. We make avid readers out of reluctant ones with our book choices - and we introduce voracious readers to new interests and adventures! That's our job - and we love it, and are passionate about it. Reading Bug Box grows with your child as they improve their reading skills and expand their interests.

We've got you covered. You can add a child to any personalized subscription and save 15% plus the extra shipping. For two children, the books are sent together in a single box. More than 2 children, and you'll need to purchase multiple subscriptions, however.

A Reading Bug Box for 2 children is packaged and delivered in a single box and is meant to be shared. The box will usually contain 5-6 books per month, some for each recipient and, where possible, at least one book to share. We love this option, especially for children who are closer in age, because it allows our expert booksellers to choose books that can be shared or passed down. You'll save 10% over the cost of 2 boxes and also save on shipping.

As booksellers, we're constantly seeking out new hits and hidden gems for our customers. We've got a great track record and it's unlikely you'll be receiving a title that's already in your collection! But if you do, we want you to share the love (of books) and donate or gift the duplicate. Send us a picture of you gifting the book and we'll give you a credit (up to $5) to spend on any of the millions of books available at www.thereadingbug.com

No problem! Just log into your account and skip the next month's renewal - or cancel any time with a month-to-month subscription. It's really easy, I promise.

All boxes ship between the 10th & 20th of the month. Orders placed after the 20th will ship the following month. Need it sooner? No problem! Email us and we'll do our very best to accommodate!

Your card will be charged on the first day you subscribe. You will be rebilled on the last day of each subsequent month. Boxes ship between the 15th and 20th of each month, and any order placed before the 20th will ship its first box in the current month.

You can update your reader's preferences or send us more information to help our team of experts personalize your Reading Bug Box any time! Log into your account at readingbugbox.com/customer/account and use the "Edit" button next to your subscription to make changes.

Yes! We have both. The Referral Program is available to all Reading Bug Box customers and can be accessed by logging in to your account at readingbugbox.com/customer/account. By referring friends and family members to Reading Bug Box, you can earn free boxes. Use your unique referral code and refer friends by email or social media - and for every 3 subscriptions created using your referral code, you will earn a free Reading Bug Box (value $30). The discount will be applied to your next renewal. There is no limit to the number of free boxes you can receive - so keep on referring! The Reading Bug Box Affiliate Program is best if you have a blog, channel, social media account or email list with a large number of subscribers, and you need not be a Reading Bug Box customer to participate. Through the affiliate program, a percentage of the purchase is paid to you every time you refer a subscriber to Reading Bug Box. Details and affiliate application are available at https://readingbugbox.tapfiliate.com/publisher/signup/reading-bug-box-affiliate-program

For month-to-month subscriptions: Cancel any time before billing (last day of each month) to avoid charges and receipt of the month's box. For 6-, or 12-month subscriptions: Once you cancel, you will not be billed for another term, but you cannot be refunded for boxes remaining in the term (For example, if a 6-month subscription is canceled after the fourth month, two more boxes will still be shipped). Cancel before the last day of the month of your renewal to avoid being charged for the next term. Renewal dates are shown in shipping emails from Reading Bug Box or in the "My Account" section of www.readingbugbox.com

More questions? We've got more answers on our FAQ page.

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The Reading Bug Box is a subscription box that matches the best in children's literature and other educational extras to your child's age, gender, interests and reading level - ensuring that each delivery gets children and their parents excited about reading, learning and discussing new topics. From read-aloud books for the whole family to enjoy, to early-reader and chapter series for new readers, the Reading Bug Box will grow with your child, adjusting and improving as they acquire new skills and interests.