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“I got this for my 8 year old son but honestly don’t know who enjoyed it more. … Fantastic gift idea for any youngen (or adult).” ~ Heather B.
Don’t miss the next shipping window!
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The Ultimate Screen-Free STEM Adventure!
Give Your Child Six Months of
Scientific Wonder
Butts in a Box Deluxe is an immersive, screen-free learning experience inspired by the award-winning nonfiction book Battle of the Butts, about ten animals that do seriously weird things with their butts!
Watch your child’s eyes light up as they discover a box packed with exciting science surprises. Then, for the next six months, they race to the mailbox every two weeks, eager to see what fascinating animal has written to them next!
Butts in a Box Deluxe combines the immediate delight of Butts in a Box with the lasting curiosity of Ani-Mail. So you get the “WOW!” moment of the big box upfront, plus six months of “It’s here!” mailbox magic.
- Immediate fun: 20+ hands-on items including a signed and personalized copy of Battle of the Butts
- Ongoing excitement: 12 personalized letters over 6 months
- Real science learning: 10 activity-packed booklets
- Screen-free entertainment they’ll choose over devices
- Special birthday card during their birth month
- Perfect for curious minds ages 5-10
- Free shipping included
Only $120 for this 6 month educational adventure!
While the Deluxe package offers the best value, you can also explore Butts in a Box or Ani-Mail individually – the choice is yours!
Learn More About Butts in a Box Only
Learn More About Ani-mail Only
* For now, we’re only shipping to US addresses. *
Butts in a Box Deluxe Creates Unforgettable Learning
What if I told you that a manatee’s farts could teach your child to love science?
Sounds ridiculous, right? But that’s exactly what makes Butts in a Box + Ani-mail so powerful. It starts with an amazing box of discoveries and continues with six months of personalized mail that keeps the wonder alive.
This isn’t just another educational product gathering dust. It’s a carefully crafted journey that transforms “boring” science into can’t-wait-to-learn moments.
While other kids are:
- Glued to screens watching passive videos
- Getting bored after a few minutes
- Quickly forgetting what they’ve learned
- Missing out on hands-on discovery
Your child will be:
- Delighted by a box of booty-ful surprises
- Racing to check the mailbox every two weeks
- Conducting real science experiments
- Creating nature-inspired art projects
- Sharing mind-blowing animal facts
- Learning through fun
- Making memories that last
What Will They Get?
A Signed and Personalized Copy of Battle of the Butts
It’s funny. It’s gross. And it’s real science.
Here’s the official description from the publisher:
Did you know manatees swim using farts? Or that herrings communicate by passing gas?
Butts are used for breathing, eating, swimming, talking, and even killing in the animal kingdom. Focusing on ten different animals and their derrières, and offering fun facts about their origin, habitat, and “posterior power,” this hilarious book captures the wonder of our ecosystem. Which animal has the coolest butt power? That’s up to you to decide!
Battle of the Butts has won several awards:
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- 2022 MASL Dogwood Reader’s Award Title from the Missouri Association of School Librarians
- 2023 Towner Award Winner for best non-fiction picture book from the Washington Library Association
- 2024 Garden State Children’s Book Award Winner for Nonfiction from the New Jersey Library Association
- 2024 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List from the Texas Library Association
Kids will giggle their way through the pages. But they’ll also retain actual science facts that will blow their minds – and yours, too!
In addition to the book, the initial delivery of Butts in a Box contains an epic amount of booty:
Engaging Items Representing Each Animal
When your child opens the box, they’ll find items symbolizing each animal in the book, like a whoopee cushion with the farting manatee on it. Some items are silly. Some are abstract. Some are directly connected to what makes each animal’s hind end unique.
Art Supplies to Colorfully Engage
Markers, paint, stackable crayons, and even a pencil with a poop emoji eraser! Everything they need to get creative with the other items in the box.
Animal Activities Booklet
There are mazes, coloring pages, jokes, silly animal facts, and other fun puzzles featuring each of the ten animals.
Stickers!
Kids love stickers, and so do we! Your child will be able show off their new favorite animals with Battle of the Butts-themed stickers, plus a random selection of other vibrant stickers.
Plus more booty-themed surprises to make them laugh!
But the fun doesn’t stop there! Every two weeks for six months, your child will open the mailbox and spot a thick envelope addressed just to them. Inside they’ll find:
A Personalized Letter
Each animal from Battle of the Butts has a unique personality, and they will send your child a letter sharing a variety of facts about their species.
An Activity Booklet Packed with Fun
- Puzzles like crosswords, word searches, mazes, cryptograms, and other brain teasers themed around the animal for that mailing
- Jokes and additional facts
- Simple STEM experiments using household items
- Creative art projects
- Writing activities that spark imagination
- Tasty recipes
Extra Surprises
Each mailing will have different items themed around the animal, like stickers, temporary tattoos, and even wildflower seeds!
The animals will also send your child a birthday card during their birth month.
People Love Butts!
Rate the Butts!
“Oh my, I haven’t read a book as funny and informative as this maybe ever. If the title alone doesn’t hook you, how about the flap copy: Did you know manatees swim using farts? Right from the get-go, this book is hilarious, yet it also engages the reader, inviting them to rate each of the butts in the book. Throughout the book there are SO MANY layers – a quick intro to each of the ten remarkable butts and the animals that own them; then a longer explanation of the science behind the useful posterior; and finally, a Butt Bonus with more fun facts about the animals’ bums. Not only that, the book is full of puns and butt-related text, but it’s not overdone. I never thought I’d want to learn so much about butts, yet it turns out it’s fascinating (bonus for funny, too)! This is an excellent STEAM book that kids will love.”
“Recently, my fourth-grade students and I visited virtually with Jocelyn Rish and the interaction was fantastic! Jocelyn was engaging and witty, and her presentation was highly interactive. The material was age appropriate and well-paced. Her activities with the kids kept them thinking and engaged. I have done many virtual visits in my school library and I can say without reservation that Jocelyn’s was one of the best author visits I’ve experienced. She was polished, professional and really fun! And, when kids clamor for the books afterwards, you know you had a great author visit.”
“This was truly an amazing and unforgettable experience! The kids were completely captivated, not wanting Jocelyn Rish to leave. She was so engaging and her books provide the depth of knowledge that kids so need and crave. They absolutely loved meeting their favorite author! We can’t wait for more books!!”
So much fun!
“My kids loved this book! We laughed out loud and giggled all the way through. Not only is this a fun read, but it’s informative too! This is the definition of learning made fun. Battle of the Butts engages young readers and adults alike. This book will make an excellent addition to all bookshelves at home or at school.”
“We were thrilled to welcome Jocelyn Rish to our classroom for an author visit, and it was truly an unforgettable experience for our students. From the moment the presentation began, the students were completely engaged—hanging on every word and eager to participate. Jocelyn has a wonderful way of connecting with the students, sparking their curiosity and inspiring their creativity. It was clear from the excitement in the room and the thoughtful questions asked that the visit left a lasting impression. We are so grateful for the opportunity to hear about her writing process and cannot recommend a visit with her enough!”
A great way to get kids excited about nonfiction!
“I love this book so much, and so do my students! You’ll meet 10 creatures with fascinating (and funny) butts. Each short chapter stands alone, and my students loved learning about each animal or insect and then voting on them. Filled with fun illustrations, tons of facts and information, and snappy, hilarious language, this is a must-have for all homes, classrooms, and libraries! Highly recommended!”
Here’s Why I Know Animal Butts Help Kids Learn
I’m Jocelyn Rish, the author of Battle of the Butts. For the past 15 years, I’ve been volunteering with Reading Partners, an amazing organization that pairs volunteers with elementary school students who are struggling with reading. I’ve tutored dozens of kids: kids who were behind grade level, kids who were bored, kids who didn’t think they liked reading.
And I saw over and over: When a kid connects with a book that makes them laugh while teaching them something real, everything changes.
One student in particular changed how I think about learning. He spent every tutoring session clearly wanting to be anywhere else. I tried everything – funny voices, silly jokes, every book in the classroom. Nothing worked. He wouldn’t even smile.
So after I finished writing the manuscript for Battle of the Butts, I brought it in and asked what he thought. Something changed. He engaged with it. He marked it up with smiley faces. And during our last session of the school year, I told him the book was going to be a real published book and that he was the first kid to ever read it. The grin that spread across his face had the power to light up a city block.
He helped show me: Kids need materials that respect their intelligence, celebrate their sense of humor, and make them feel like learning is something they actually want to do.
Since the publication of Battle of the Butts in 2021, I have been doing author visits with classrooms, libraries, and homeschool groups with this as my focus. During my visits we do science and language arts activities together centered around animals and the funny and fascinating things they do.
They expect it to be silly. And it is silly. But then something magical happens. When kids discover something that makes them laugh while learning . . . Their eyes light up. They lean in. They ask questions. They remember what they learned, weeks and months later.
But here’s the problem: I can only visit several schools each year. I wanted to figure out a way to bottle up that magic and send it directly to your house.
That’s why I created Butts in a Box and Ani-Mail – to put that same magic, surprise, and laughter right into your child’s hands.
A Cheeky Deal That Makes Cents
Think about what you usually spend on kids’ entertainment:
• An outing to an arcade restaurant costs over $100
• Two trips to the movies with snacks is $150
• A video game subscription $140 per year
For just $120 (that’s only $20 per month!), you’re investing in:
Immediate Joy
• An amazing box of silly surprises
• Award-winning book they’ll read again and again
• Interactive fun
• Science and Art projects
Plus six months of:
• Personalized mailings every two weeks
• Fresh activities and experiments
• Screen-free entertainment they look forward to
• Family bonding opportunities
• A love of learning that lasts a lifetime
This isn’t just another educational product that’ll end up in the donation pile. This is six months of giggles, gasps, and genuine learning,
delivered right to your door.
Order now to secure your spot in this next shipping cycle!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this appropriate for my kid's age?
Battle of the Butts is written for elementary-aged kids (roughly ages 5-10), and Butts in a Box and Ani-Mail are designed for that same age range. If your kid is younger, they might enjoy the book with your help, but some of the activities might be too advanced. If your kid is older, they might find it a bit young for them, though plenty of older kids still love the humor and science.
** While safety is one of our top priorities, Butts in a Box and Ani-Mail contain small items that may pose a CHOKING HAZARD for small children and is not intended for children under 3 years old. For children above 3 years old, proper adult supervision is required. **
What are the items in the initial box?
These are the main items* for each animal:
Manatee: Whoopee cushion
Wombat: Mini puzzle cube
Fitzroy River Turtle: Cookie cutter
Herring: Fish fortune teller
Bombardier Beetle: Water squirt toy
Silver-Spotted Skipper Caterpillar: Fidget toy
Beaded Lacewing: Binary code beaded necklace kit
Parrotfish: Art sand kit
Sonoran Coralsnake: Wooden snake with paints
Sea Cucumber: Cucumber seeds
There are also a variety of art supplies and other booty-themed items. If you’d like to see individual pictures of each item, check out our instagram or facebook pages.
* Items may change based on availability and creative inspiration!
How do the deliveries work?
Your child will receive one box and 12 letters over six months. We post outgoing mail every two weeks according to the schedule below.
After you order, we will send the initial Butts in a Box with the signed book and other goodies on the closest upcoming scheduled mailing date. Then a personalized letter with an activity booklet (the Ani-mail) will be sent from one of the animals every two weeks according to our mailing schedule (10 total letters and 10 total activity booklets). So that the child will be surprised by which animal arrives in the mailbox every other week, the animal order is random rather than what’s in the book.
After the animals have sent their letters, the author of Battle of the Butts (that’s me!) will send a final wrap-up letter.
Additionally, your child will receive a birthday card from the Butts animals during their birthday month, even if that is outside of their regular six months of mailings.
You can read our full shipping policy here.
| January 5 | March 16 | May 25 | August 3 |
| January 19 | March 30 | June 8 | August 17 |
| February 2 | April 13 | June 22 | August 31 |
| February 16 | April 27 | July 6 | September 14 |
| March 2 | May 11 | July 20 | September 28 |
What does it mean that Butts in a Box Deluxe is personalized?
The Butts in a Box package and the Ani-Mail envelopes will be addressed to the child. The letters will have the child’s name in the salutation, and the signed copy of Battle of the Butts will be personalized. The animals will also send a birthday card to the child during their birthday month.
When you check out, there will be a Name for Personalization field for you to add the kid(s) name(s) and a field for their birthday month. Use whatever name the kid(s) prefers, and please be very careful when filling these out so that the personalization is correct.
We will use the first name for the letter salutation and book personalization, but we need a last name for the mailing address, so we do ask for both the first and last name in the Name for Personalization field.
While each mailing will only contain one set of items, you may include multiple kids by entering something like “Jocelyn, Brian & Joanna,” “The Smith Family,” or even “Ms. Rish’s Class.” If you want each child to get their own set of mailings, then please order multiple products.
Only one birthday card will be sent per order, so if you are including multiple kids in the personalization, please pick the ONE month in which you’d like to receive the card.
If you would rather not use a specific name for the book, letters, birthday card, and envelopes, then enter “NONE” in the Name for Personalization field at checkout, and nothing will be personalized.
If you do not want a birthday card, then enter “NO CARD” in the Birthday Month field.
Do you have a gift card or certificate I can give my gift recipient so they know something booty-ful will be delivered?
Yes! We have a gift note you can download here. We have intentionally left it vague, so they will be surprised by what arrives, but you can always provide more details if they prefer knowing in advance.
How long does it take to go through everything?
There’s no set timeline! Some kids will dive in and finish each activity immediately. Others will stretch it out and savor each thing. Some will revisit their favorites multiple times. It’s designed to unfold at your child’s pace.
Will my kid actually do the activities, or will this sit in a closet?
Honestly? That depends on your child and how you present it. The surprise items in the initial box create immediate engagement before they even open the book, and most kids who love humor and science get excited about digging deeper. And since it unfolds over six months with regular mail arrivals, it creates ongoing anticipation.
Can teachers/librarians order multiple boxes?
Yes! If you’re an educator interested in ordering Butts in a Box and Ani-Mail for your classroom or library, contact us to discuss options for bulk buying and/or modifying the experience for larger groups.
What if my kid hates reading/science?
My book Battle of the Butts was initially inspired by kids who didn’t think they liked reading or science. The ewww-factor and humor are the entry point. Once they’re laughing, the learning happens naturally. Plus my 15 years of experience with struggling readers has shown me that books about animals almost always grab kids’ attention. So by extension, Butts in a Box and Ani-Mail use the same humor and ewww-factors to draw in kids who aren’t initially fans of reading or science.
What if I don't have time to do experiments with my kid?
The science activities are designed to take about 15-30 minutes, use regular household materials, and require adult supervision. But you don’t need to be a science expert! The activity booklets include simple instructions. And doing them together is where the real magic happens!
Is this a subscription?
No. Although letters are sent every two weeks, this is a one-time purchase with no recurring subscription fees.
Can I pay in installments?
Yes. If you’d like to break your payment into monthly installments, just look for the “Shop Pay” option at checkout for the details.
Is this US only?
Yes, for now.
The shipping and mailing logistics are more complicated for international addresses, so we will revisit those later.
What if I'm not happy with it?
We stand behind Butts in a Box and Ani-mail 100%. If for some reason they’re not what you expected, we have a 30-day return policy. Read the details here.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a parent, grandparent, or relative who wants to give a gift that’s both fun and meaningful…
If you’re an educator looking to inspire a love of science and reading…
If you want to see the kids in your life genuinely excited about learning…
The smiles start the moment they open the box and continue for six months! Order today and see for yourself!
“I got this for my 8 year old son but honestly don’t know who enjoyed it more. … Fantastic gift idea for any youngen (or adult).” ~ Heather B.
Don’t miss the next shipping window!
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)
The Ultimate Screen-Free STEM Adventure!
Give Your Child Six Months of
Scientific Wonder
Butts in a Box Deluxe is an immersive, screen-free learning experience inspired by the award-winning nonfiction book Battle of the Butts, about ten animals that do seriously weird things with their butts!
Watch your child’s eyes light up as they discover a box packed with exciting science surprises. Then, for the next six months, they race to the mailbox every two weeks, eager to see what fascinating animal has written to them next!
Butts in a Box Deluxe combines the immediate delight of Butts in a Box with the lasting curiosity of Ani-Mail. So you get the “WOW!” moment of the big box upfront, plus six months of “It’s here!” mailbox magic.
- Immediate fun: 20+ hands-on items including a signed and personalized copy of Battle of the Butts
- Ongoing excitement: 12 personalized letters over 6 months
- Real science learning: 10 activity-packed booklets
- Screen-free entertainment they’ll choose over devices
- Special birthday card during their birth month
- Perfect for curious minds ages 5-10
- Free shipping included
Only $120 for this 6 month educational adventure!
While the Deluxe package offers the best value, you can also explore Butts in a Box or Ani-Mail individually – the choice is yours!
Learn More About Butts in a Box Only
Learn More About Ani-mail Only
* For now, we’re only shipping to US addresses. *
While you’re here, grab my free ebook Cheeky Science. It’s an interactive ebook that brings the wonders of animal intelligence and posterior powers to life with videos, trivia quizzes, and pop-up facts.
P.S. If you have questions or want to know more before buying, reach out here. I love talking about this stuff!
P.P.S. Did you know there is a beetle that shoots boiling chemicals out of its butt. Nature is weird and wonderful. That’s why Butts in a Box exists!
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