If you\u2019re new to Literati, you may be wondering: by what standard do we judge our books? How expertly do we review book options, and ultimately, how do we determine if a story can stand up to our Literati standards? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We understand there\u2019s a wealth of children\u2019s books out there to choose from\u2014and decision fatigue is real. Sometimes, you find treasures. But sometimes you arrive home with new books, only to discover that the stories aren\u2019t as great as they first seemed. Sometimes, your child doesn\u2019t like your book selection, and then reading gets neglected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if you\u2019re not new here, you know that Literati books are special. They\u2019re profound stories with vibrant illustrations and rich characters that offer a unique, joyful reading experience for you and your child to truly cherish together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do we do it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Magicians never reveal their tricks\u2014but we\u2019re not magicians or mind-readers. We\u2019re people who are passionate about sparking a lasting love of stories. Here, the books perform the magic, so here\u2019s how that magic arrives on your doorstep:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We read a lot of books. <\/strong>More than that\u2014we OBSESS over books. We look for a perfect blend of captivating ideas, guiding illustrations, impactful themes, and characters that become fast friends. When it comes to choosing the perfect Literati books for our Members, our literary intuition lights the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We ask the experts. <\/strong>We are fortunate to know lots of other friends in the biz. Educators, publishers, librarians, teachers, parents and even kids continually help us cultivate a long, beautiful list of thousands of book recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We hunt for gems. <\/strong>Uniqueness is everything. We\u2019re constantly asking ourselves: what takes a book from good to undeniably amazing? Our team is constantly searching and searching (and searching) for stories that truly stand out. We look for books that are thoughtfully written, expertly illustrated, and hands-down the best of the best, whether they\u2019re classics, debut stories, or somewhere in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We don\u2019t shop online. <\/strong>At Literati, there are many things we do to set ourselves apart from popular online book retailers, whose libraries are curated by algorithms instead of book lovers. We use a thorough, personal process to hand-select every story for your blossoming bookworms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We don\u2019t look for bestsellers. <\/strong>That\u2019s not to say that we hate the classics (we don\u2019t), but we know that you\u2019re already familiar with Goodnight Moon<\/em> and Madeline. <\/em>We seek out more rare titles, supporting the authors and illustrators that are producing incredible gems that you won\u2019t find on your E-Reader or next to the TV aisle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Artful.<\/strong> We genuinely see books are a piece of art, and every story delivered to every member reflects that. Plus, we love supporting our favorite illustrators.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Unusual. <\/strong>We said it before and we\u2019ll say it again: we choose books that stand out. We\u2019re always looking for books that bring new activities and interesting dynamics that make reading a full experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Engaging. <\/strong>We read the books ourselves. If we\u2019re not completely swept off our feet by the narrative and ignoring everything around us, then we don\u2019t choose that book. It\u2019s as simple as that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We make sure to select literature that\u2019s going to stimulate the specific development stages your child will go through. As such, the qualities that take a book from good to great are highly-dependent on age and development. We do our best to ensure that your child\u2019s love of reading grows at the same pace they do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s right, even babies need books<\/a>! In fact, babies especially<\/em> need books, and it\u2019s crucial to bring stories into their first years to spark important language development. Our littlest members receive elevated board books rich in primary concepts, vibrant shapes, and colorful characters. And if the ABCs start feeling too simple, take a half-step forward with higher-concept board books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a transformative time for brain development: your little sprouts are off to preschool! They\u2019re also asking non-stop questions as their curiosity\u2014and their vocabularies\u2014blossom. To fuel this fun stage, our book boxes transform preschool reading into a celebration of story. These books<\/a> pair vivid illustrations with compelling characters to drive newfound imaginations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kindergarten and the early grade school years are when your kid is starting to make real friends\u2014learning about themselves and others at a rapid rate. Every member<\/a> receives Literati books that emphasize immersive illustrations and vibrant, multicultural stories. It\u2019s the perfect age for nourishing deeper curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And just like that, they are starting to read on their own! Our book boxes<\/a> bridge the transition from reading to <\/em>your child to reading with <\/em>your child. Our starter chapter books span the wide variety of reading levels in this age, and showcase detailed characters and satisfying plots, with just enough visual clues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ah, those last, precious years before we hit the teenage stage. These readers<\/a> receive a diverse selection of new and classic novels alongside nonfiction and activity books. These books challenge, inspire, and help fledgling readers soar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your teenager might start to distance themselves\u2014but if their nose is in a book, they\u2019re still in good hands. Members in this age range<\/a> get hooked on compelling YA novels that widen their worldview, no matter the genre. From magical new worlds to stories of real life teens, there\u2019s always a shocking twist.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat We Don\u2019t Do<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Across the board, our books are:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A story for every step of the way.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Books for Babies & Toddlers:<\/a> Ages 0-3<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n\n\n\nBooks for Preschoolers:<\/a> Ages 3-5<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n\n\n\nBooks for New Readers:<\/a> Ages 5-7<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n\n\n\nBooks for Independent Readers:<\/a> Ages 7-9<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n\n\n\nBooks for Advanced Readers:<\/a> Ages 9-12<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Books for Young Adults:<\/a> Ages 13+<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n