How We Select Books for Your Child’s Kit
Each personalized kit includes a unique set of 8-12 fiction and non-fiction books. The books are curated by either Literacy Specialist Katherine or me (Literacy Specialist Mohini).
Similar to a Montessori approach, at Literacy Playground we let children and their interests take the lead. We use a child’s interests to inform some of the books that we include in their kit. Whether your child is interested in Minecraft, baking, dinosaurs or graphic design we can find books to engage their interests. When kids are interested, they’re motivated!
Next, we use our skills and experience teaching children to read to choose the books that are at the right level for your child. We may include books within your child’s zone of proximal development (slightly challenging books that are appropriate for reading with your kids), while other books might be suitable for your child to read independently. Pre-readers will receive decodable books to read with their grown up. Decodable books will help you build your child’s phonemic awareness and phonics skills.
Both Literacy Specialist Kathreine and I include books in kits that we’ve previously used with our students. I have endless fond memories of reading the Biscuit series with early readers and like to include them in kits when it makes sense. Katherine used to read R is For Rocket with her first grade class, we’ve included this book in multiple Foundations Kits.
Growing up in 2000s Massachusetts, most of the books I read in elementary school had white protagonists. Today, when I walk into a bookstore in my hometown in California I see an abundance children’s books with protagonists who look and act like me - a South Asian American woman. These books make me feel represented and they make me feel proud of my culture. I get to read books like Fauja Singh Keeps Going and Bilal Cooks Daal to my toddler at bedtime.
I’ve noticed my students get excited to read when a book has a main character who looks like them or acts like them. That’s why we use your child’s culture and lived experiences to inform some of the books included in their kit. One of our students recently moved from Mexico to America. She enjoyed reading the Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls with her mom because it takes place in Mexico, has a female protagonist and references myths and legends from Mexico that she’d heard when she was little.
This year, I’ve made an effort to curate children’s books about topics like neurodiversity and learning difficulties. If your child has a learning difficulty like dyslexia or ADHD, we can include books in their kit that help them feel represented and nurture their confidence. Children are often motivated to read when they relate to the themes and characters within the books they read.
We want your kids to read good books. We want them to read books them make them laugh and stories that keep them on the edge of their seat. To find these books we may read books reviews and we may browse local bookstores.
Since we personally curate books, there is some personal bias that goes into deciding what a good book is. I’m amazed by the availability of diverse children’s books in 2025. I like to include a couple books in each kit that tell the stories of people who I believe are often overlooked. I’ve been known to include books that tell the stories of inspiring black women like Serena Williams and the human computer Dorothy Vaughun.
Additionally, I personally value teaching children to respect families and children who may look or act different from them. I think it’s important to use books as a tool to teach tolerance. That’s why I try to include books in each kit that serve as windows from one child’s culture to another’s.
Lastly, we include at least one book with a focus on social and emotional learning in your child’s kit. Why? Because kids need to feel safe and connected to be ready to learn. Books like The Magical Yet help children develop a learning mindset.
Disclaimer: Since each box contains a unique set of books we aren’t able to read every book that we send your child from cover to cover. We do read reliable reviews and summaries of all the books we send. If you feel like a book that we’ve sent your child isn’t a good fit, contact us and let us know so that we can help.
Once you sign up for a kit you’ll have a chance to share about your child’s strengths and abilities. At this point, you’ll have the opportunity to make requests regarding books. An appropriate request could be “Hannah wears a hijab, are there any novels with hijabi characters that you can include in her box?” or “Laura has been feeling anxious recently, is there a book about anxiety that you can include in her kit?” Inappropriate requests are requests that ask us not to include books because of a character’s race, sexual identity or culture. For example, “Do you include books that might have LGBTQIA+ characters or families? Our kids aren’t ready for that.” At Literacy Playground we value inclusion.
If you feel aligned with what I’ve shared above I hope you’ll consider signing your child up for either Foundations (ages 4-6) or Rise (ages 6-10).
Warmly,
