I love to read, and have quite a collection of my own, but in the last few years, I can't stop buying books for my children. I bought them books often from the beginning, but after we began homeschooling, I have been buying constantly.
One curriculum that we used early on gave us a list of books (that complimented what we were learning about) we could check out from the library. We loved this. We were reading between 40 and 60 books per week! The kids just thought we were cuddling on the couch and reading, yet they were learning sooo much!
Going to the library weekly became more and more challenging though. Hopefully we'll get to do it more often when my little ones aren't so little. We still loved reading books, though, and needed some new ones. It wasn't long until I found out about the semi-annual library sale.
The first time I went, I was shocked! In the past, I had bought books from a local semi-annual children's consignment sale. At just fifty cents per pound, these books were even way cheaper than that! From what I understand, the library sales its books that they have chosen to retire from their shelves for one reason or another, while others donate used books from home to help raise money for the library.
Now one might think that the books probably aren't any good, that they are just the outdated rejects. Not true. The variety is wonderful. Plus many of the books, you would not be able to find in a store. We have accumulated quite a bit of sciency type books, biographies, war books, etc. We have found some great living books, and also just some fun children's books. By the way, the sale has books other than children's books. In fact, children's books are the minority. I just never make it that far before my box is too heavy or full to add more books!
I have been to the sale maybe four or five times now. The last time I went, I purchased 40 pounds of books. If you did the math, you know that I spent $20.00. And for $20.00, I got around 150 books! New, you could buy one or two books for that price. I want to show you some of the books we have added to our library just from the last sale!
Here are some books on American history. And there is a really nice detailed book on our national parks.
Here are some biographies on some key people in history, including Benjamin Franklin, Martha Washington, and Louis Braille.
These are some science books that teach different things about the human body, the importance of trees, how paper is made, etc.
I found a ton of books on animals and ecosystems. I always do. I think I even got one on granddaddy long-legs!
Here are some dinosaur books. We really like dinos around here! I have to be careful with these type of books, since there are conflicting views. We already have Dinosaurs of Eden, but I love this book and paid $13.00 for it just last year. Since this same book cost me $ 0.13 at the sale, I couldn't pass it up!! With four kids, I might need another at some point, just in case...
I found some more children's Bible based books too!
I bought these books on different social challenges that the kids may face. I find a few of this particular set every time we go. I should have a complete set in no time. I remember having these when I was a kid, and really liking them!
I usually find a few American girl books. This time was no different. I am hoping by the time Bliss is ready to read them, I will have some complete sets.
I almost have the complete set of the Little House books from shopping this sale. I am only missing one now. This year, though, I found a "My First Little House Book", for a younger audience. I didn't know about these. Very cool!
I also got a few other chapter books for Silas.
I also purchased several early readers. Here are a few of them. The ones where we both read are neat. They are designed for a parent to read a page, then the next page is at the child's level. Some early readers I found were science or history type books. I think it is great for little ones to be able to read and learn about things for themselves! I think it must feel very rewarding!
We found some fun math books too. My kids really enjoy these books that each teach a different math concept using candy. We have the M&Ms one, the Skittle's one, and the Reese's Pieces one (which we have borrowed...sort of long term) already.
We always find some I Spy books. Our kids (and their parents) really like these!
Of course I had to get some good books with my sweet babies' favorite characters. Curious George, My Little Pony, Berenstain Bears, etc!
I don't want to bore you with more, but I am always so excited! You can see, that I find some really great books at my local library sale! If I get home, and read some of my new finds, and find they aren't for us, it's no big deal. I usually don't lose more than a dollar's worth. I can set them aside and donate them back.
It is so nice to be learning about something, or just wonder about something, and to be able to go to our bookshelf and grab a book that can help us out! Many times, I learn right along with my little guys!
No comments:
Post a Comment