Frequently Asked Questions
About our Award-Winning Kids' Book Club
1How do you choose the books?
We read widely and select only the very best children's books for our subscription boxes. Tales by Mail titles will always have fantastic stories, unforgettable characters and high quality writing. The books included will be new releases, published within the last three calendar months.
Our featured books will always be suitable for children aged 5-8 (Hatchlings) or 8-12 (Tales by Mail). We’ll choose books that we think can be enjoyed by all genders and reading tastes, because they’re simply brilliant!
Our featured books will always be suitable for children aged 5-8 (Hatchlings) or 8-12 (Tales by Mail). We’ll choose books that we think can be enjoyed by all genders and reading tastes, because they’re simply brilliant!
2My child is aged 8, should I go for Hatchlings or Tales by Mail?
Every child is different! Our Hatchlings book club picks are early reader chapter books, usually with some illustrations and slightly less text. Our Tales by Mail picks are longer, more involved stories aimed at 8-12 year-olds.
You can see some of the children's books that we've sent out already on our Past Boxes page, or reveal the books in upcoming boxes to see which option might be the best fit for your child.
If you’re still not sure, or you'd like some advice, send us an email to theteam@talesbymail.com with some information about what your bookworm is currently reading and we’ll be happy to help.
You can see some of the children's books that we've sent out already on our Past Boxes page, or reveal the books in upcoming boxes to see which option might be the best fit for your child.
If you’re still not sure, or you'd like some advice, send us an email to theteam@talesbymail.com with some information about what your bookworm is currently reading and we’ll be happy to help.
3How can I be sure you won't send me books I already own?
We try to choose newly published children's books, so we hope that you’re unlikely to already own these titles. If you are nervous, you can reveal the books in upcoming boxes via our Tales by Mail and Hatchlings pages (or by keeping an eye on our newsletter updates).
If you do receive a book that you’ve already read, please share it with a friend or donate it to your school library. We are unable to accept returned books.
If you do receive a book that you’ve already read, please share it with a friend or donate it to your school library. We are unable to accept returned books.
4Can I send a Tales by Mail subscription box as a gift?
Yes, a Tales by Mail subscription box is the perfect gift for children who love to read! To add a gift-note, check the box for gift at the checkout and write a message for your recipient, we’ll add this to their first box, or to their Adventurous Reader Pack if you have purchased one.
5Can I buy a one-off Tales by Mail box ?
Yes! All our book subscriptions auto-renew, but if you’d like to try one box only, purchase our bi-monthly subscription and then cancel straight away. We’ll just send you the box you’ve paid for and no further boxes.
You can also buy past boxes in our shop. These are single purchase items with no subscription and do not have any renewal attached.
You can also buy past boxes in our shop. These are single purchase items with no subscription and do not have any renewal attached.
6When will you send me my Hatchlings book box?
Tales by Mail Hatchlings (for 5-8 year olds) is a bi-monthly subscription box. Our boxes post at the beginning of the following months: January, March, May, July, September & November.
Our Subscribe page will tell you when to expect your first box when you sign up.
All parcels are posted with second class Royal Mail. You can select tracked or untracked postage at the checkout.
Our Subscribe page will tell you when to expect your first box when you sign up.
All parcels are posted with second class Royal Mail. You can select tracked or untracked postage at the checkout.
7When will you send me my Tales by Mail book box?
Tales by Mail (for 8-12 year olds) is a bi-monthly subscription box. Our boxes post at the beginning of the following months: February, April, June, August, October & December.
Our Subscribe page will tell you when to expect your first box when you sign up.
All parcels are posted with second class Royal Mail. You can select tracked or untracked postage at the checkout.
Our Subscribe page will tell you when to expect your first box when you sign up.
All parcels are posted with second class Royal Mail. You can select tracked or untracked postage at the checkout.
8When will my shop order be sent?
If you've ordered a ready-to-go item, such as a past book gift box, or an adventurous reader pack, your order will go in the post within a week. Our shop orders usually post on Wednesdays and Fridays.
9I’ve opted for tracked postage, when will I receive my tracking number?
You’ll receive your tracking number by email when your Tales by Mail parcel is on the way. Your tracking number will come straight from Royal Mail.
10When will my membership renew?
Renewals will be processed on the 16th of every other month, when payment will be taken for the next subscription term (I.e. 1 box, 3 boxes, 6 boxes).
Our renewal payment months for Hatchlings (5-8 year olds) are: February, April, June, August, October & December.
Our renewal payment months for Tales by Mail (8-12 year olds) are: January, March, May, July, September and November.
To check when your renewal is due, login to your account on our website, click on the Subscriptions tab on the left-hand menu and check the table for your next renewal date.
Our renewal payment months for Hatchlings (5-8 year olds) are: February, April, June, August, October & December.
Our renewal payment months for Tales by Mail (8-12 year olds) are: January, March, May, July, September and November.
To check when your renewal is due, login to your account on our website, click on the Subscriptions tab on the left-hand menu and check the table for your next renewal date.
11Can I upgrade or downgrade my membership?
Yes. To upgrade or downgrade your membership (I.e. change the number of boxes that you’ll receive as part of your subscription), simply login to your account and click on the subscriptions tab on the left-hand menu. You’ll see an upgrade/downgrade button below your subscription details. Click on this and select the membership you’d like to switch to.
Please note upgrades and downgrades do not come into effect until your next renewal date and if you have boxes remaining on your existing subscription, these will be sent out to you before your new subscription package begins.
Please note upgrades and downgrades do not come into effect until your next renewal date and if you have boxes remaining on your existing subscription, these will be sent out to you before your new subscription package begins.
12I have a six-year-old and a ten-year-old, can I get a Sibling Subscription to suit them both?
Our Sibling Subscriptions include extra gifts and activities for a second child and are only available for either Hatchlings (5-8) or Tales by Mail (8-12).
We are not able to offer a combined age group Sibling subscription, owing to the fact that there is only one set of books per box and these books are age-specific.
We are not able to offer a combined age group Sibling subscription, owing to the fact that there is only one set of books per box and these books are age-specific.
13I don’t live in the UK, do you post your boxes internationally?
Yes! Although we are a UK based book subscription box, we do post our boxes all around the world. Your postage costs will be calculated at the checkout.
Please note that your box may be subject to additional sales taxes and customs charges when it reaches your country. These are beyond our control and it is your responsibility to pay them when advised.
Please note that your box may be subject to additional sales taxes and customs charges when it reaches your country. These are beyond our control and it is your responsibility to pay them when advised.
14How do I cancel my subscription?
Cancelling your subscription couldn’t be easier. Simply login to your account on our website, click on the Subscription tab on the left-hand menu and press the button to cancel.
Please note we will cancel your renewal and will not bill you for any more book subscription boxes, but any boxes that you have already paid for will be sent out on schedule. Until you've had all of your paid-for boxes, your subcription will show as "pending cancellation", don't worry though, no further payments will be taken.
We cannot process refunds for partially completed memberships.
Please note we will cancel your renewal and will not bill you for any more book subscription boxes, but any boxes that you have already paid for will be sent out on schedule. Until you've had all of your paid-for boxes, your subcription will show as "pending cancellation", don't worry though, no further payments will be taken.
We cannot process refunds for partially completed memberships.
15Will the book box fit through my letterbox?
Our bright orange boxes are large but fairly flat, they will fit through some but not all letterboxes. The box measures 285mm x 250mm x 38mm.
16I’m buying the subscription as a gift. I’d like the Adventurous Reader Pack delivered to me and the boxes delivered to the recipient. Is this possible?
Yes. The easiest way to organise for items to go to different addresses, is to make two separate purchases and enter different postage addresses as required.
17How do I get in touch with Tales by Mail?
The best way to get in touch is to send an email to theteam@talesbymail.com. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.
18Do you have a referral scheme?
Yes! We have a Refer a Friend scheme which you can access by logging into your account. If a friend signs up to Tales by Mail using your referral link you'll receive 5% off your next renewal and your friend will also get 5% off their purchase.
Only one 5% referral code can be redeemed per renewal, but don't worry, if you refer multiple friends we'll save any extra discount codes for your future renewals. Referral codes will only work when you refer new members to Tales by Mail and cannot be used by those who have had a membership in the past.
Only one 5% referral code can be redeemed per renewal, but don't worry, if you refer multiple friends we'll save any extra discount codes for your future renewals. Referral codes will only work when you refer new members to Tales by Mail and cannot be used by those who have had a membership in the past.
19When will I be able to listen to the podcast that goes with my Tales by Mail (8-12) box?
Our Tales by Mail subscriptions for ages 8-12 has an accompanying children's book podcast, which features chats with UK schools and the authors of our book club picks.
We’ll publish our podcast episodes in the month after you’ve received your box. So the podcast to accompany our June box will be available from July, etc.
To catch up with previous podcast episodes head to our Podcast page. You'll also find the Tales by Mail podcast on your media player of choice (including Spotify, iTunes, & Google Play).
We’ll publish our podcast episodes in the month after you’ve received your box. So the podcast to accompany our June box will be available from July, etc.
To catch up with previous podcast episodes head to our Podcast page. You'll also find the Tales by Mail podcast on your media player of choice (including Spotify, iTunes, & Google Play).
20Who does the artwork for Tales by Mail?
Our website graphics, logo and Adventurous Reader pack were designed by Emmeline Pidgen. Emmeline also provided theme art for our boxes from June - October 2020.
In December 2020, Rachael Presky came on board as our theme artist. She now designs the artwork we use to advertise our themes and we also use her illustrations on items included in our boxes.
In February 2022, we welcomed a new resident artist. Cathrin Peterslund took over as illustrator of our theme and item artwork.
In December 2020, Rachael Presky came on board as our theme artist. She now designs the artwork we use to advertise our themes and we also use her illustrations on items included in our boxes.
In February 2022, we welcomed a new resident artist. Cathrin Peterslund took over as illustrator of our theme and item artwork.
