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Children's books

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Original poster

Best place for buying childrens books

35 replies

PuraVida · 21/12/2010 15:31

Hello.

Ds is 18 months and loves books. I've bought most of ours from charity shops so we have a fairly random collection. I'd really love to start compiling a library of all the really good childrens books but where best to buy them? Is amazon the cheapest? Or 3 for 2 in waterstones? or I've heard the 'book clubs mentioned but don't know what they iare and how they work I'd red house one?

Where do you buy the bulk of your books?

OP posts:
BikeRunSki · 21/12/2010 18:36

Independent Bookshop! There is a Mumsnetter who runs a bookshop in Kent. I have never been (I am in Yokrshire), but her website looks lovely and full of reviews.

She's at Nickel Books and I think she said she does MNer discounts. There's a fairly recent thread about it.

Shaxx · 21/12/2010 18:23

I use The Book People, Amazon (used books are v.good) and this site
www.bananas.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/catalog_10602_40154_100

RosieMBanks · 21/12/2010 18:13

Some great suggestions already, and do look at Ebay too. I have acquired lots of lovely books for DD very reasonably, including many out-of-print childhood favourites. Sometimes people sell off whole library collections and it is worth bidding on those...you will pay postage of course, and possibly get a few books you might not choose, but you can still save a lot!

RosieMBanks · 21/12/2010 18:13

Some great suggestions already, and do look at Ebay too. I have acquired lots of lovely books for DD very reasonably, including many out-of-print childhood favourites. Sometimes people sell off whole library collections and it is worth bidding on those...you will pay postage of course, and possibly get a few books you might not choose, but you can still save a lot!

iwantavuvezela · 21/12/2010 16:24

Do your local primary schools have summer and winter fairs where they sell toys; books etc? I have found amazing books at ours for my dd - usually about 20p each! A good way to stock up on books, find new ones, and usually find the classics there as well!

Original poster
PuraVida · 21/12/2010 16:03

Oh and dilysprice too great ideas there. Yes we are big library goers just would like to actually own some of our faves. Thanks

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Original poster
PuraVida · 21/12/2010 15:55

Thanks borntofolk I'll have a look at both of those. Being forced to buy stuff I didn't want was my fear with book clubs or whatever they are.

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DilysPrice · 21/12/2010 15:53

Red House / The Book People can be fabulously cheap for collections of basics/classics. They're not book clubs per se, you can just order as and when you fancy something.
Amazon is usually cheapest for individual new books, slightly cheaper than 3 for 2 and much less annoying.
Charity shops continue to be good of course, and the cheapest of all is your local library (use it or lose it), also the books they sell off to make room for new stock can be good, and cheaper than charity shops.
I swear by The Rough Guides to Children's books (now out of print I think) for book ideas.

BornToFolk · 21/12/2010 15:38

Red House is great. It's not a club so you don't have to buy x amount of books per year or anything like that, and they are really cheap.

BFC is also pretty good. This is a club in the sense that you have to buy 4 normal priced books in the first year. They used to do that thing of sending you the "editors choice" each month unless you said you didn't want it but they don't do that any more. They do a really good new member offer where you get 5 books (or sets of books) at heavily discounted prices. For me, this was worth the 4 full priced books that I then had to buy.

Original poster
PuraVida · 21/12/2010 15:32

Oh god sorry about all the typos bloody phone. Hope it makes some Lind of sense

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