The Second Life Library

The Second Life Library: pre-loved children's book subscription in the UK

The Second Life Library is a British pre-loved children's book subscription service. The company presents itself as the UK's first personalised pre-loved book subscription for children, aimed at families with children from newborn to 12 years old. Each box is put together with books selected according to the child's age and interests, and the service includes free delivery throughout the UK.

Memberships by age range

The subscription catalogue is organised into monthly plans covering specific stages of reading development. The prices published on the site are £14.99 per month for individual age-based subscriptions and £15.99 for the family membership. The available ranges include:

• Babies: 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months and 18-24 months.
• Toddlers: 2-2.5 years, 2.5-3 years, 3-3.5 years and 3.5-4 years.
• Children: 4-4.5 years, 4.5-5 years, 5-6 years, 6-7 years, 7-8 years, 9-10 years and 10-12 years.

The Family Chapter Box membership (from newborn to 12 years) delivers two children's books and one for the adult caregiver each month. The plans are flexible and can be paused or cancelled at any time.

How the selection works

The process begins with choosing the child's age; at the time of purchase, the customer can note hobbies or interests so that the selection can be tailored even further. The company chooses three books that match that profile, adds small extras and prepares the package. The first delivery arrives by post and includes a handwritten note.

One-off boxes and gifts

In addition to subscriptions, the site offers one-off purchase boxes designed for gifts, milestones and celebrations. These include:

• Little Readers Box (2-4 years), £11.99.
• The Birthday Story Book Box (2-6 years), £22.99.
• Curious Kids Discovery Box, non-fiction, from age 5, £14.99.
• Curious Kids Imagination Box, fiction, from age 6, £16.99.
• The Milestone Box: Potty Training, £12.99.
• Little Steps to School: Starter Kit, £21.99.
• The Next Chapter: Motherhood, £14.99.
• The Bedtime Story Box, £15.99.
• Preloved Party Favours, £60.00.
• The Second Life Library gift card, £14.99.

The shop also sells seasonal boxes: The Halloween Gift Box (£11.99), The Christmas Gift Box (£15.99) and The Twelve Books of Christmas (£39.99). The site indicated that the Halloween and Christmas boxes could be pre-ordered.

Environmental impact and origin

The proposal is based on reusing books: according to the data published by the company, its activity has saved more than 7,000 books from ending up in landfill and more than 180 trees. The company describes itself as female-founded and maintains that, by age five, children who are read to regularly have heard 1.4 million more words than those who are not. Among the arguments it highlights are savings compared to buying new books, the incentive of receiving personalised deliveries and the reduction of waste.

Customer reviews

The site collects verified reviews through Trustpilot. The testimonials highlight the careful selection of titles, the personalisation according to the child's interests and the direct contact with the owner, Millie, who even writes to customers when she finds a book that might be a good fit. The use of the service to give gifts to friends' and family members' children and the care taken with packaging are also mentioned.