It’s rare that a kids’ product changes the way we travel but I have a new one. Lunii sent me their My Fabulous Storyteller box two months ago and I’m now ready to review it. This wasn’t a one-time use for us. When I’m talking about something that costs over £60 for a child I want to make sure it hasn’t been discarded within a month by my children (or broken, etc).
The Basics
The Lunii “My Fabulous Storyteller” is a small green box with large yellow buttons and a simple volume that doubles as an on/off. Children choose the various aspects of the story to craft their own story: a hero (Ben or Suzanne), a secondary character, a setting and an object. H’s go-to is Ben with a ghost in a castle with a feather. Sounds a bit like Cluedo, no?
Overall, I really like this story box. It’s been a game-changer to have a screen-free alternative entertainment, especially as our boys don’t have tablets (yet). It’s also a great solution for the lack of books when we travel. Finally, it’s super lightweight, fits in H’s backpack and is pretty robust (certainly been dropped a few times already). It helps with those times during travel of just waiting around.
That said, only H (age 4.5) uses it. P (2.5) is too young but can make H angry by turning it off. Sibling fun.
There are 48 stories built into it. We haven’t yet downloaded the additional free or paid stories that are available as the 48 have been fine over the past two months.
An unexpected but delightful consequence of the product is that it fosters discussion about writing, creativity and story structure with my son. We discuss how words have meaning and the knock-on effect of choices that you make. He has a mother who is a writer, so it helps make my work relatable.
Pros: Lunii: My Fabulous Storyteller
- Screen-free
- Very intuitive buttons
- Long charge
- A simple micro USB charger
- Very lightweight
- Small size
- Headphone jack
- Low stimulation
- Promotes self-sufficiency
- Great for auditory learners
- Non-commercialised characters
- On the go book great for travel
- 48 stories have kept H entertained over two months
- Great for travel – especially cars, camping, and when tired
- Eases parental guilt about screentime
Cons: Lunii: My Fabulous Storyteller
- Some of the content is at times scary for my emotionally sensitive 4-year-old (in particular in one story when the father is late for work and leaves a child home alone when the babysitter doesn’t show)
- 2 year old not interested – can easily turn it off which upsets the 4-year-old.
- Not native English text – is translated from French and sometimes the word choice is off but they are creating more and more English stories
- Expensive if you don’t get much use out of it
- Sometimes difficult for the children to share/causes fights over the selections
- Is repetitive for parents to listen to
- Brings up sexist stereotypes when Ben has more active adventures than Suzanne
Final remarks
This product has stood the test and is always in our travel bag. It is a great screen-free alternative and especially great on car rides and so that H can be self-sufficient with having stories in hotels. He also chooses it rather than in-flight entertainment. It’s so great to know we essentially have another tool in our toolbox. I don’t travel with H without it.
It is also available on UK Amazon here and US Amazon here
This post is sponsored by Lunii but, as always, the opinions are all my own and honest.
Featured image by Kathleen Porter Kristiansen
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