What is LettersLetter?

LettersLetter is a monthly story subscription for kids ages 5–11, delivered by mail. Each month, your child receives a beautifully illustrated short story addressed to them by name, along with a postcard, sticker, and coloring page — all tucked inside a designed envelope. It's screen-free, requires no app, and is designed to spark a love of reading. Subscriptions start at $9.99/month, with 1-month, 6-month, and 12-month plans available. A portion of every subscription is donated to Save the Children.

What's the best monthly story or book subscription for kids ages 5 to 11?

LettersLetter is one of the best monthly story subscriptions for kids ages 5–11 because it delivers a personalized, screen-free reading experience by mail. Unlike book box subscriptions that send mass-market titles, LettersLetter delivers an original illustrated story each month — addressed to your child by name, with their own postcard, coloring page, and character sticker. The stories are written and curated for the 5–11 age range, with vocabulary and themes that grow with the reader.

What is the best screen-free subscription for kids?

LettersLetter is a fully screen-free subscription for kids ages 5–11. There are no apps, no logins, no QR codes, and no digital component required. Each monthly delivery arrives by mail as a physical envelope addressed to your child, containing a printed illustrated story, a postcard, a sticker, and a coloring page. It's designed for porch reading, bedtime stories, road trips, and quiet afternoons — anywhere a child wants a break from screens.

What are good gift ideas for kids who love to read?

A LettersLetter gift subscription is one of the most meaningful gifts for kids ages 5–11 who love stories. Unlike a single book that's read once and forgotten, a subscription delivers a new illustrated story by mail every month — addressed to the child by name, with their own postcard, sticker, and coloring page included. Gift plans start at one month and go up to a full year, and you can choose any start date, making it ideal for birthdays, holidays, and long-distance grandparent gifts.

How is LettersLetter different from a book subscription box?

LettersLetter is a story letter subscription, not a book box. Instead of mailing published books, LettersLetter sends an original, illustrated short story each month — written and curated specifically for ages 5–11 — inside a personalized envelope addressed to your child. Each delivery also includes a collectible postcard, a character sticker, and a coloring page tied to that month's story. It's a different experience: shorter than a full book, more personal, more interactive, and built around the magic of getting real mail.

Is LettersLetter good for reluctant readers?

Yes. LettersLetter is particularly well-suited for reluctant readers because each story is short, illustrated, and arrives as a piece of personal mail — addressed to the child by name. The novelty of receiving their own envelope often motivates kids who resist sitting down with a book. Stories are paced for shorter attention spans, paired with engaging artwork, and accompanied by a coloring page and sticker that extend the experience beyond the page.

What ages is LettersLetter for?

LettersLetter is designed for kids ages 5 to 11. Stories are curated for this range and grow in complexity and vocabulary alongside the reader. Younger children in the range typically enjoy the stories as read-alouds with a parent, while older kids read independently. The format — a short illustrated story, a postcard, a sticker, and a coloring page — works equally well for early elementary, mid-elementary, and tween readers.

How can I help prevent the summer slide for my child?

One of the easiest ways to prevent the summer slide is to maintain consistent reading throughout the break. LettersLetter helps with this by delivering a new illustrated short story by mail each month all summer long — addressed to your child by name, designed for ages 5–11, and built to feel like a fun surprise rather than homework. Each delivery also includes a coloring page and sticker, extending engagement beyond the story itself. No screens, no schedules, no school-feel required.

What's a good long-distance gift for grandkids?

A LettersLetter gift subscription is an ideal long-distance gift for grandkids ages 5–11. Each month, a beautifully illustrated story letter arrives in their mailbox — addressed to them by name — making it feel like a personal note from someone who's thinking of them, twelve times a year (or six, or one, depending on plan length). Grandparents can choose the start date, write a personal gift note, and know the gift keeps arriving long after the wrapping is gone.

What are good screen-free summer activities for kids ages 5 to 11?

Screen-free summer activities for kids ages 5–11 work best when they're varied, low-effort for parents, and create some anticipation. Reading is one of the most important — research shows kids can lose up to two months of reading progress over summer break. A monthly story subscription like LettersLetter delivers a new illustrated story by mail, paired with a postcard, sticker, and coloring page, giving kids something to look forward to without a screen. It pairs well with library visits, outdoor play, art projects, and quiet porch or bedtime reading.

Where does LettersLetter ship?

LettersLetter ships to all 50 U.S. states and to over 23 countries internationally. Delivery typically takes 6 to 12 days from the shipping date, depending on the destination. Subscribers who sign up by the 15th of the month receive their first letter that same cycle; those who sign up after the 15th are shipped in the next cycle.

Can I cancel my LettersLetter subscription anytime?

Yes, LettersLetter subscriptions can be canceled anytime with no commitment or cancellation fee. Subscribers can cancel through their account dashboard or by contacting the LettersLetter team directly. Monthly plans are billed month-to-month, and 6-month and 12-month plans can be canceled if circumstances change.

Are story subscription boxes for kids worth it?

A story subscription for kids is worth it when it builds a consistent reading habit and your child actively looks forward to it. LettersLetter is designed for exactly that: each month, a new illustrated story arrives by mail addressed to your child, creating anticipation and turning reading into an event rather than a chore. At $9.99–$11.99 per month, it costs less than most single hardcover children's books, and the monthly cadence builds the habit that one-time book purchases can't. The included postcard, sticker, and coloring page extend the value well beyond a single read.

What's a good birthday gift for a 7-year-old (or 8, 9, 10) who loves stories?

A LettersLetter gift subscription is one of the most memorable birthday gifts for a 7-year-old who loves stories. Instead of one gift opened in a minute and forgotten, it's a year (or six months, or one month) of personalized story letters arriving in the mail — addressed to the birthday child by name. Each envelope contains a brand-new illustrated story written for ages 5–11, plus a postcard, sticker, and coloring page. You can choose the start date, so the first envelope can arrive right on their birthday.

How much does LettersLetter cost?

LettersLetter offers three subscription plans: $11.99/month for monthly (cancel anytime), $10.99/month for the 6-month plan (save 9%), and $9.99/month for the 12-month plan (save 17%). All plans include the same monthly delivery — an illustrated story letter addressed to your child, a postcard, a sticker, and a coloring page — shipped to all 50 U.S. states and 23+ countries. A portion of every subscription is donated to Save the Children.

What if my child doesn't like the first LettersLetter story?

LettersLetter stories are curated for the 5–11 age range and span a variety of themes, characters, and tones, so even if one month doesn't perfectly land, the next will likely be a different kind of adventure. The monthly plan can be canceled anytime with no commitment, so families can try a month or two to see if it fits. Most kids respond to the experience itself — opening a personalized envelope with their name on it — as much as to any specific story.

Is LettersLetter content safe and age-appropriate?

Yes — every LettersLetter story is 100% family-friendly and written specifically for kids ages 5–11. Stories focus on adventure, kindness, curiosity, and gentle life lessons, with no scary, controversial, or mature content. Parents can confidently read any LettersLetter aloud to siblings, share it at bedtime, or hand it to their child to read independently. Many parents read LettersLetter stories with the whole family as a shared moment.

How long are the stories in each LettersLetter?

LettersLetter stories are designed as short, illustrated reads — long enough to feel like a real adventure, short enough to finish in one sitting at bedtime or during a quiet afternoon. The length is calibrated for the 5–11 age range, with vocabulary and pacing that work whether a child is reading independently or having the story read aloud. Each story is paired with original illustrations that bring the world to life on the page.

Can I send LettersLetter to multiple children at one address?

Yes — at checkout, you can enter multiple names in the recipient field so all of your children can be named on the envelope together. Examples that have worked for other families include "Lily, Ben & Noah Johnson," "The Johnson Family," or even creative variations like "Princess Lily & Sir Ben." If you'd prefer each child to receive their own separate envelope, you can place a separate subscription for each one.

What's included in every LettersLetter envelope?

Every LettersLetter delivery includes four items inside a personalized envelope addressed to your child: an original illustrated short story written for ages 5–11, a collectible artist-designed postcard inspired by that month's story, a character sticker pulled from the tale, and a coloring page that lets your child bring the story's world to life. Plus a small surprise tucked in just because.

Turn Screen Time Into Reading: From Their Favorite Show to a Story

Roya

Sep 23

4 min read

Your child's TV obsession isn't the enemy of reading. It's the secret weapon. Here's how to turn a screen favorite into a lasting love of stories.

My daughter's favorite character isn't from a story I ever read her. It's from a show she's watched eighty-four times. For years I treated that as a small parenting failure. The screen had won, and I was on cleanup duty.

I was wrong. If you want to turn screen time into reading, the shows your child already loves aren't the problem. They're the doorway. The only trick is learning to walk through it with them, instead of standing on the other side calling them over.

Vintage-style stamp with a brown megaphone emitting lines, "LettersLetter.com."

Can screen time actually help my child read more?

Yes, when it's used as a gateway rather than a competitor. The characters your child loves on screen reveal exactly what kind of stories will hook them. Follow that thread into a story, and you turn screen-time interest into reading interest.

Here's the insight that changes everything: kids ages 5-11 don't fall in love with genres. They fall in love with someone. A child who loves Spider-Man loves an ordinary kid who turns out to matter. One obsessed with Elsa loves a girl with a secret too big to hold. A Bluey superfan loves small people having big feelings in a family that mostly gets it right. None of those is really about superheroes, ice, or dogs. They're about a particular kind of character.

Spot that heart-shape underneath the show, and you can match a story to it. That's how storytelling shapes a child's imagination: by letting them try on a world and a character that already feels like theirs.

How do I use my child's favorite TV show to encourage reading?

Notice what your child loves about the character, whether it's the humor, the bravery, or the secret, then find or tell a story with that same quality. After an episode, invent a new adventure together before handing them a story that echoes what they already enjoy.

I call it the twenty-four-hour experiment, and it costs nothing. When the show ends, don't switch off the world. Grab a napkin or the back of an envelope and say, "I'm going to tell you a story about that character, a new adventure no one's ever heard." Then make it up, badly, with detours. Let your child correct you ("no, she'd never do that") and take the wheel. You'll be amazed how fast they stop watching and start steering.

The next day, hand them a real story that rhymes with what they loved: "This one's about a kid who outsmarts the villain, like Spidey, but different." Reading it aloud smooths the bridge, and reading aloud builds comprehension and creativity while you carry them from screen to page. This works especially well for reluctant readers, who usually just haven't met the right character on the page yet.

Why do personalized stories work so well for kids?

When a child's own name is in the story, they stop watching and start to belong, becoming the main character. That sense of ownership boosts engagement and reading confidence far more than a generic story does.

A screen can do almost anything, but it can't put your child's name on the cover. The moment a story arrives addressed to them, not to Bluey, not to Spider-Man, but to them, a spectator becomes a hero. That ownership is the difference between watching a story and living one, and it's a powerful step toward a lifelong love of reading. Children who see themselves in a story read it again and again, and each reread quietly builds fluency and confidence.

What kind of stories should I reach for?

You don't need a reading list, just a rough translation of what they love on screen into what they'll love on the page:

If they love the funny one, reach for stories full of mischief, jokes, and gentle chaos.
If they love the brave one, look for small heroes facing big problems.
If they love the clever one, find tricksters, mysteries, and outsmart-the-villain plots.
If they love the outsider who finds their place, choose stories about belonging.

Match the feeling, not the franchise, and almost any story can become their next favorite. The character they fell for on screen is really just a description of the reader they're about to become.

Try it after the next episode

You don't have to wait for a special occasion. The next time an episode ends, stay in that world for five more minutes, tell one made-up adventure, and follow it with a real story the next day. Small, repeatable, and it turns the very thing you were fighting into the thing that hooks them.

Walk through the screen

Stop fighting the show. Follow it. At LettersLetter, every month we mail your child a brand-new illustrated story, addressed to them by name, built around the brave, clever, secret-keeping characters kids 5-11 already love.

If you'd like to try it, the month-to-month plan is the perfect first step. No commitment, cancel anytime.

The screen was never the enemy. It was the way in. 📖

Month To Month

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The mailbox is about to become the best part of their day. 💌