how much is an ok amount to spend on books for kids and how much is quite a lot?

in answer to op, it depends how much £'s you have.

I don't think you can spend too much on books, but of course the main thing is spending the time actually reading them to your kids, not just spending a huge amount and letting them lie on a bookshelf!

sounds like my book people order but then we get mil dh and four kids their presents from there
so no I do not think it is too much to spend on books
last year we got ten books for less than a tenner and split them in two for mtydd2 and dd3
mybook people order was 120 last timebut what the eck they are educational and make great presents imo

my mum always said that if you want a book you should get it - I love books and my children do too - they see them as wonderful presents, I odn't think you should feel bad. If I am at bookpeople I always try to stay in a budget but if I see my son in bed reading horrible histories or something my heart kind of melts - that makes it all worth the money.

Books are lovely and communicating that to your chidlren is a really great thing to do for them. I say order loads, orderloads more then click 'confirm order' before you have time to think about it!

Sorry it was a book for clever boys, that was the name of it!

If we are out and my kids want to buy something they know they can always have a book. Last forever, don't go out of fashion and don't break. I've had a large order from the Book People arrive yesterday. Fairy books, Ripleys Believe it or Not, Books for clever boys, James Bond book.

I buy ones that DS really really likes from the library when they are 50% off with a voucher - but other than that he has his trip to the library once a week (or more) to get 20 books, and I reserve any special requests.

I really only buy them if he has requested it be reserved once and asked for it every day for a week.

Don't worry Filly ... you can never have enough books IMO ....
Books are the only 'presents' I buy my children all year round - if I see one I think they may like I get it for them ... Other things they only get for Christmas or birthdays.

I am a complete danger on The Book People website as a bargainista my philosophy is always, if I can get them at a good price I can buy more.

So I buy lots. But I break it down into smaller amounts so dh doesn't hit the roof. Can you believe I married someone who doesn't read? Even dts1 is getting certificates at school for his reading abilities.

I got them both some really good book collections out of TBP for Christmas. In fact have never bought a book from there that hasn't been a fantastic bargain.

If the child in question is going to read the books, I don't think you can spend too much...

Oh well, obviously if you cripple yourslef financially and your house gets repossessed, you might have gone too far, but apart from that...

The answer depends on how much the children enjoy and appreciate books.

I spend a fortune on books &dd1 is going to be the same book shelves cover most of my room and dd1 has all hers in boxes under her bed and has ran out of room
dd2 likes to line hers up and will only read the ones about tv programmes [rolls eyes]she does like Horrid henry though!

Ooh, thanks Filly

HTFJSTC -- were you able to retrieve your basket ??? how annoying

Oh well, when you start over maybe you will find more you "need"

wonder if DH would notice if I sneaked some books into DC order.....[sneaky peek around emoticon, since she's no longer allowed into any book selling establishment (including Tesco's) without supervision]

I know a MNetter who sells review copies of childrens books very cheaply...perhaps she will see this.

I've planned out £40 on books for the boy from mini IQ, but i'm also holding a party for them so hoping touch wood it will only cos me about £10 cos u get commision. books are expensive thou, but I'd prefer books to compter/tv stuff.

Go for it filly. My children are getting mainly books this year, and will probably end up spending similar

You also get those nice parental bonding sessions where they are snuggled up listening to you read which can make up for any amount of CBBC they may have possibly been allowed to watch.
And if they spend lots of time reading by themselves thats less time they are bothering you for stuff/doing something incredibly noisy and messy....my mother went down this route and so am I!!

My DD who is only 17 months has an amazon wishlist of her own which has almost as many books on it as my wishlist....absolutely necessary imo.

I spend way too much on books for DD throughout the year. I don't tend to keep them for presents as I tend to let DD have them as soon as I buy them We love our books

I spend alot on books, we have a shop near us which sells half price childrens books, im off there tomorow to buy for christmas, dd1 loves books, we do buy alot of 2nd hand and we use Amazon.

The barefoot books are great, i met a lady selling them at a fair a few weeks ago, they do lovely puzzles too.