to think there's no such thing as too many books for a child?

[jumpjockey]

DD is 10.5 months and has about 40 books - mostly board books, lift the flap, touch and feel, crinkly cloth books etc. She loves turning the pages (book right way up or not... ) and looking at the pictures. Most of them are from charity shops as there's one we pass every day that has a 5p shelf. MIL recently commented that she thought this was far too many and wasn't she too young to appreciate more than one or two?

Given that I'm a librarian this is particularly , but surely babies can enjoy books and have great fun sitting on someone's lap looking at the pictures? How can there be such a thing as too many, given that we're not wasting swathes of money on them, they're easy to tidy up, and she's learning all sorts of things when we 'read' them together?

it is if you're always adding to the pile and use libraries as well .

As much as I love reading I can't imagine having the time to read 6 books a week on a quite week, let alone a normal one.

and once every 3yrs isn't "constant" use

Does acting as extra coffee tables count? You can also use them as door stops (the above mentioned Grimms was keeping the kitchen door open before DS asked what it was about). Also very useful for levelling the table and as a kitchen weight and nothing better than the complete guide to Dungeons and Dragons for preserving random leaves DS has found at the park.

books with drinks on them? books on the floor?? with furniture on top????

oh god I couldn't do that - books are to be loved and cared for......which I why i could never have too many of them

Nah books are to be USED, loved certainly but used. My books are scruffy, there are no first editions or leather bindings. As much as I enjoy a gorgeous library with those sorts of things and would have one if I had money to burn then I would have it, but I like them around the place, ready to be picked up and read randomly.

I love books, always did, so my Mum says.

I would bankrupt myself if I bought all the books I LOOVE for DS, even on Amazon. The best thing ever is to get them from Libraries.

BTW, our local mobile Libary van has had 3 stops removed due to lack of use in our community. I go to the van every fortnight and literally load up with books for DS, he loves them we'll read (well I read to him he's 4 in Dec) 2 books before he does his teeth, and usually manage to read him one more, usually 2 before I can say goodnight.

My Mum used to say, ooh, don't take too many books from the library.. but the man who runs it thinks I'm the best thing ever, cos I take 20+ books for 2 weeks. The 'Issues' (number of books taken out) help him keep the service running. I've got a small canvas bag and fill it up. He goes to the main library and restocks that afternoon.

I borrow the books, then in DS really really loves them, I'll buy a copy, or another one in the series by the same author.

Mobile Libraries, use them or lose them!!

Totally with Morloth on this, books are to be used. Goes against the values I've been brought up with, but nowadays books are cheap and easily replaced. More important that they're used than kept on the shelves.

have to say i agree that theycant have too many!

dc are 8 and 4 and they know if you ask for a toy the answer is prob no but if you ask for a book you can guarantee there will be a yes!
i also get obsessed with buying the full set so id probably drive your mil crazy!!

You can never be too skinny ( well, i never seem to be.....!) or have too many books. The latter my DH disagrees with and finds it hard to understand (with adult books) why anyone would want to keep a book they have read?? In fact, he once referred to my book collection as a "fire hazard" !
One of my hobbies, apart from sleeping, is buying childrens' books. Give me a copy of the Book People and I'm happy as Larry.