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Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

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Original poster

What are your rules re buying books for dc in between bdays and Xmas?

75 replies

MilaMae · 15/01/2009 20:52

I always get the dc loads of books on bdays and Xmas but dd and I have seen loads recently we both like the look of.

Her bday is in Dec so can't wait that long. Don't want to spoil the dc by constantly buying new books but then when money allows I think nothing of buying books for me.

OP posts:

Karamazov · 15/01/2009 23:47

Definitely agree with the others. Toys strictly for birthdays and christmas in our house, but books all year round. I have always encouraged my Dds to have a love of books, and now DD loves reading and it is great to wake up in the mornings to see her reading a book to herself from the shelves in her bedroom (She's only 5, so a new experience for us - she's only just started reading to herself)Its lovely. For me, anything that encourages a passion for books is worthwhile, so I'd buy, buy, buy (and frequently do!)

lowrib · 16/01/2009 00:41

Oh no, you must get your DCs books throughout the year! Particularly as your DD's birthday is so far away.

Books aren't spoiling, they are GOOD FOR YOU

nappyaddict · 16/01/2009 01:46

I try to only buy toys for christmas and birthdays. DS is only 2.6 and has been given loads of books. I think I've only ever bought him a couple.

seeker · 16/01/2009 05:59

Just in case anyone hasn't come across this site before Abe books

And buying stuff - any sort of stuff - for children isn't spoiling if you can afford it, if they appreciate it and if you're not doing it as an alternative to giving them attention. Which obviously doesn't apply to you. So go ahead!

nooka · 16/01/2009 06:19

I buy books when we run out. Oh, and whenever I pass a bookshop. If I have the children with me they usually get to choose a couple each, and if not I usually look to see if there is anything I think they will like. I also have a large collection of children's books that ds is almost ready to start on. When we were in New York the library was on the way to school, so we'd visit every week for a refill. Here I haven't figured out where the library is yet, so we've been doing quite a bit of Amazon ordering. The children have to do half an hour reading every night, and if there isn't anything that takes their fancy at school we need a big enough stock at home. I don't see books as treats, but as essentials.

Buda · 16/01/2009 06:27

I buy books all the time here too. Have slowed down a bit for DS though because he has loads that he hasn't read or has started and not finished. He is 7 and football mad so seems to be constantly reading Match Annual at the moment.

I always had my head in a book as a child and want to encourage the same in him.

janeite · 16/01/2009 16:38

I love the comment that buying books is "an investment in the child" - absolutely.

abraid · 16/01/2009 16:42

I pretty well always buy them any book they ask for.

ramonaquimby · 16/01/2009 16:56

I can't ever remember reading a thread where almost all posters were in agreement!!

my 7 year old consumes books at a great rate - have just picked up a few at a charity shop - a great place as they are different to all the stuff that is promoted at highstreet chains etc. Picked up Kensuke's Kingdom today for her and reminded me of this book which i ADORED as a child
www.amazon.com/Island-Blue-Dolphins-Scott-ODell/dp/0440439884 so must hunt it down for her.

Takver · 16/01/2009 16:58

How do you all house all these books???
I am starting to wonder if I need a 'one in, one out' rule for dd (I try to apply this rule to me & DH). She has about 7 metres of shelf space and it is all full.
We pretty much never buy new books (any of us, not just for dd), but she buys from charity shops with her pocket money plus if I am out & see them I will buy 2nd hand books that she might like & put them aside for a wet day or a train journey.
She also orders books from the library if there is one she wants that they don't have, orders are free for children in our county.
We are currently having to think about rules as to how much reading per day though as her eyesight is getting bad

ramonaquimby · 16/01/2009 16:58

I am beginning to thin out books for my 2 year old and 4 year old - mostly board books and lift the flap books. I do find it hard to get rid of books tho.

BakewellTarts · 16/01/2009 16:59

When I have a little money I buy books, if there?s any left over I buy food [Desiderius Erasimus]

The motto lived by in our house too. Fortunately able to buy books and feed the family though.

I never understand how you could live without a supply of interesting books. DD1 also loves them. We read to her and even though she can't read herself yet she loves looking through them on her own. DD2 isn't 3 months yet but will also be exposed.

Tamarto · 16/01/2009 17:01

I don't buy Dcs much in between birthdays and christmas, books are completely exempt from this. If i can afford it and i know they'll read it/enjoy it then i'll buy it.

Original poster

MilaMae · 16/01/2009 19:00

I'mto say we have bookshelves full in every room,should have come clean earlier!!!!! The Trofast range in Ikea hold a lot as you can get shelf inserts. I've just bought DD a Tidybooks bookshelf-fab!!!!!!

I do thin out as they reach new stages and books are too tatty. I was literacy co-ordinator in my teaching days and somebody once told me that giving children really tatty books doesn't teach them to respect them.

I'm not ruthless though they have to be pretty far gone ie broken spines with pages falling out past cellotaping,some very old favs aren't included in that rule though

I put some up in the attic for if I go back to teaching,charity shop a few and pass the rest on to my sister's dc.

Even though we still have masses out on the shelves I want them to be able to see the wood for the trees so to speak. I think if they keep picking out books that are too tatty or not stage appropriate they won't enjoy reading so much.

There are some books that will probably be on their shelves for ever though

OP posts:

Lizzylou · 16/01/2009 19:04

I buy books throughout the year.

Have two boys, almost 5 and almost 3 and I want them to keep on loving books as much as they do now. DH never reads and lost his love of books very young.

Toys, never really buy any between Christmas and Birthdays, though do hold some back as birthdays are in March.

janeite · 16/01/2009 19:48

Fab quote BakewellTarts - you do know that proper Bakewell Pudding is MUCH nicer than tarts though?!

mrsgboring · 16/01/2009 20:10

We have a lot of book storage too - including two excellent Tidybooks bookcases. Don't know what I shall do when we finally outgrow available space. I have to say reading this thread I realise I'm a fairly amateur bookbuyer compared to most. I might have to go shopping....

xfabba · 16/01/2009 20:15

I try not to buy toys between outside of Xmas/BD but as they are a few days apart for my ds he has a long wait so we normally get him a "summer" present as well and some "motivational" toys to add to existing collections now and then throughout the year.

Books however I buy whenever we feel like we need more or he sees interesting ones. I feel books and reading should not be limited at all and if budget is a concern you can always go to the library so I dont think you need to really.

twinsetandpearls · 16/01/2009 20:20

We buy books all the time, at least one new one a month and once a week dd buys a second hand book with her pocket money.

wrinklytum · 16/01/2009 20:25

I always go to the library

Otherwise I scout charity shops or buy 2nd hand on line.

AnneOfAvonlea · 16/01/2009 20:43

Books whenever we see one we like. From shop, library etc. I would never restrict unless I thought it was age-inappropriate (and even that will change when they hit teens and can decide for themselves)

Fennel · 16/01/2009 21:18

I buy a lot of chapter books for 5-12 year olds 2nd hand, very cheap. 10 or 20 at a time when I pass a good stall. The bookshelves are groaning but we're going to put up more shelves.

We use the library a lot as well.

I buy some new but really, there are so many good books second hand I don't see the need.

HappyMummyOfOne · 17/01/2009 15:02

I dont restrict new books and toys to birthdays and christmas so buy them often. Try and buy from the school leaflets so that the school gets a percentage but use the book people, amazon, red house etc frequently.

BakewellTarts · 17/01/2009 22:16

Janeite, completely agree...but I didn't think anyone would recognise Bakewell Pudding and as I now live down south thought I'd adapt. Are you a Derbyshire girl?

janeite · 18/01/2009 15:01

I am indeed! Haven't had Bakewell Pudding for years though: there really is nothing else like it!

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