Is it possible for children to have too many books?

[cheapandcheerful]

I have two dd (4 and 2) and they have sooooo many books! I think we have kept every book they have ever been given, they are taking over the house and are hardly read (apart from the old/current favourites).

I'm thinking of having a purge and basically getting rid of all the books they've never been fussed about or which they've obviously outgrown.

Then I'm think about rotating the books that are left so that there are only a select number available to be read at any one time.

I would like my children to love their books and I feel like they can't at the moment because there are JUST TOO MANY!

Am I being ridiculous? Has anyone else done something like this?

[jimmycrackcornbutidontcare]

My DCs have hundreds. They read them all. This saves me reading the same old stories every day.

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

If you've got more than you've got space for and they're making the house feel crowded and you can never find the ones you want because there are so many, yes absolutely, get rid. Books aren't sacred and more doesn't always mean better.
The only thing to bear in mind (and you won't thank me for saying this because it won't help when you're trying to chuck!) is that when they learn to read, books they've outgrown have a second lease of life as they find they can read them themselves. Eg my 5 year old is currently having fun with his 'That's not my...' books.

[Librarina]

Well, my MNname probably gives away my bias, but personally I think that if a book is not being read and enjoyed then there is no point keeping it on the shelf.

I would

1. Weed out books that are outgrown and take them to the charity shop.
2. Put half the books they love and half the books they are not fussed about away in a cupboard.
3. Keep out a mixture of favourites and yet-to-be-discovered books for them to explore.
4. Make sure books are built into your routine - whether at bedtime, just after meals, whatever works for you.

The most important thing in getting children to love books is not how many you have, but the ways you share them together... let them see you loving books and they will want to join in.

[TheCountessofFitzdotterel]

'The most important thing in getting children to love books is not how many you have, but the ways you share them together... let them see you loving books and they will want to join in.'

yes x 1000!

[moonrocket]

I think it helps if they're outward facing on the shelves for children that can't yet read - maybe fix a couple of ledges, and rotate the ones on them?

[hoppus]

If you don't have space for them thenjust keep their favourites and use the library when they want more.

[Inthedarkaboutfashion]

My children have hundreds of books (probably thousands) but I don't consider them to have too many because they have read them all, most of them several times. We do go through them occasionally and pass some to the the school for book fairs / school library.
My children spend most of their pocket money on books and are always in the library borrowing books.
I guess if they really love books then it is difficult to have too many (unless you really have no space). But if they don't love books and don't read them them there is little point in having lots taking up space.

[PlantsAndFlowers]

I think having loads of books around that you aren't ever going to read again is borderline pretentious. I do regular trips to the charity shops and just save a few that were particularly special.

[Inthedarkaboutfashion]

I think having loads of books around that you aren't ever going to read again is borderline pretentious

Children usually read books several times. My DS has the Harry potter collection, he has read it twice and it has been untouched for the last 12 months but I'm sure he will read them all again at some point. I can't think of any books amongst the hundreds /thousands that my children own that they will not read again. Of course when they grow out of books we box them up and take them to the school fair / charity shop, but it takes several years for that to happen.