Where do you buy (cheap) books for children?

[Lolingokay]

I don't know where to get kids' books except for the typical places like Waterstones, Foyles or Amazon. But that can get expensive if you want to buy books regularly/for multiple children. My local charity shop has very limited options. Any advice?

Register at local library

I get them from eBay sellers. They usually state the condition.

I use Books for Bugs (website) if I'm ordering Christmas/end of year presents for my class. Not the hugest selection, but a good choice of titles for £1, £2 (think the most expensive are £2.50). I've always found them really reliable.

For new: middle of Lidl often has good quality children's books

For gently used: World Of Books / Abe Books (helps if you know what you're looking for)

Books 2 Door isn't an MLM.
£6 is a lot for a picture book your child will read maybe twice.

Library and charity shops. Then MiL gave dd her old Kindle and now dd has Kindle Unlimited (subscription and loads of free books).

Dd is a massive bookworm so its saved us money, space and is less Covid-risky than going into libraries at mo.

The Works and ebay, there are lots of good second hand from retailers on there where the stock is graded. If it’s to gift look for nearly new/as new condition. If it’s for my own DD I buy anything as she’s heavy handed!

Depends what you mean by cheap. The works are cheap at 10 for £10 but they looks cheap, feel cheap, don't think the stories are particularly great, there are a few gems though.

Tkmaxx have a huge kids book section. Some series in packs that you can split.
Single ones are around £2.99 or £3.99 for really nice stories, hardbacks, embossed covers, they look a lot more expensive than you pay for them. And they do educations ones. Picture booksS chapter books. Loads. (I love tkmaxx for books!)

The Works is absolutely top notch for bundles of children's books.

Others have said it but world of books. Got a couple of paperbacks, really good condition and came really quickly.

I use World of Books or ebay (they sell on there too) for dd2 who reads at a rate of knots, and dd1 who quite often fancies a particular book but then decides she doesn't like it 🙈

Never had a particularly battered one yet, but both do know not to expect them in perfect condition & their books for Christmas are from WOB

Most/many National Trust houses/gardens have a second hand bookshop.
Oxfam? Some of the branches are books/music only.

Poundland has a good choice.

Amazon does two for £7 on a lot of their kids books, some of which retail on there for £5 each. Just just the kids tat books either, we've had Tom Fletcher and Dave Pilkey on that offer.

Works 10 for £10 can be good for younger ones but I've brought chapter books for 6-8 year old on an offer too, maybe 6 for £10? And they sell sets for £5 you could easily split

We use books2door. But as irs mainly sets, can make it difficult for gifts.

Supermarkets do 2 for £7

I went to ALDI today and they had beautiful copies of the classics in there, picked up Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan for DD only £3.99 each! Will keep her going at bedtime for a couple of weeks

But on gifting books, if the children are old enough to choose their own national book tokens are good! Mine love a browse in a bookshop. Sorry if this has already been said I couldn't load pg.2 for some reason

I tend to use eBay, as usually you can see the condition, and there are many sellers that sell new books, it's not just secondhand. The Book People used to be so good, as they had really good quality literature for children, unlike the works and the supermarkets which tend to just stock whatever has been just released/top sellers (which don't necessarily equate with top quality!)

Charity shops are your best bet. I get literally brand new books, 3 for a £1 at mine. Once my kids have read them, I donate them, to the local primary school

Vinted, library, charity shops.

The Works and supermarkets are terrible for children's books. All overrated authors and just tat. Nothing good quality.

World of books and books 2 door are the main ones I use. If you get the like new ones from world of books they are usually in excellent condition. My children read so many books i would go bankrupt if I bought them from actual bookshops!

The works, Poundland, Card Factory (weird one and they don't have lots but what they have is quite good), Aldi often have Disney ones on special buys, ditto Lidl, tkmaxx for kids non-fiction are great. They are all I can think of for in-store but I'm sure there's a ton more.

Online it's always worth checking the bit on Amazon where it says new&used. You can often buy used editions for much cheaper. Facebook market place is good for second hand too, local carboots, charity events. For new books online there's booksforbugs, books2door, World of book, books4people, 66books.

Hope this helps :)

Second the works! They're brilliant bought 3 books for £5 for my niece x

@Lolingokay

I don't know where to get kids' books except for the typical places like Waterstones, Foyles or Amazon. But that can get expensive if you want to buy books regularly/for multiple children. My local charity shop has very limited options. Any advice?

Look for a Global Education Trust charity shop. Lots of books to choose from. Drop off books you've read or take away up to three books.

A local Facebook group or just marketplace if you are quick on freebies. We have a residents site and often lots of free give aways.

The Works, just come back from there