ChristusG Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 My DD is turning 3 in a few weeks and she is very into books. But gosh, I do not want to spend $15 or $20 on a book that's going to take 5 minutes to read to her. Where do you find nice childrens books for a decent price? I'm wondering if places like Goodwill and the Salvation Army have books in good condition? Does anyone know of any place else that may have them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Most of the books I buy come from used book stores and thrift stores. Thrift stores (including GCF) often sell books .50 for paperback/1.00 for hardcovers. I used to live in an area with lots of HSers, and found SO MANY fabulous books for these prices at GCF. I pay more in library fines now!:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomToJediKnights Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Thrift Stores!! Sometimes I can find good ones at garage sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 I have found some in the local thrift stores, but in my experience, most tend to be worn out and dated. I've actually found that grocery stores are sometimes a good place to buy children's books. A lot of them have a large bin of clearance books, and you can often find some surprisingly good books that way for only a couple dollars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgia On My Mind Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Goodwill Industries in the book department, yard sales, grocery store bargain bins, Borders lobby at our store always has mark down books, thrift stores, Well Trained Mind Books for Sale (HERE), and local church/school consignment sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 (edited) I find alot on my dd books from amazon. I have been able to find some at the Friends of the Library books sales, thrift stores, good will. Books a Million and other bookstores usually have clearance tables or by 2 get 1 free. Edited February 19, 2010 by lynn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nd293 Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Apart from looking for cheap books, make sure that when you spend money on new books, you spend on quality books. We bought a pack of Five in a Row books, for instance, and although I didn't like the programme, the books were some of the best we've bought. It's also a great time to start picking up books on mythology (esp Greek, Roman, Egyptian) which will be used later for your history studies. And kids books might take minutes to read, but they are read again and again and again. Dd is now 9yrs, and she will still happily listen to her picture books if I am reading them to her brother. Nikki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
secular_mom Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Thrift stores, library sales, PaperBackSwap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsrevmeg Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Homeschool Library Builder is a really good place to find cheap books. You can earn points to get free books by buying books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VA6336 Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Consignment sales have been treasure troves for us... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sasharowan Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Library sales, thrift stores, Grandparents :) www.thriftbooks.com, paperbackswap, hslibrarybuilder, and bookstore sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyNellen Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Overstock.com has great book prices and $2.95 shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wulfbourne Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 *Libraries are free. *Ebay lots can be cheap and quick to expand a library, but you don't choose each book. *Request books for birthdays and Christmas. Better than a whole lot of plastic toys anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidi @ Mt Hope Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Our Goodwill has an excellent selection of children's books, many for $1. They are in nice shape. I'm pretty choosy about titles, and I've bought *a lot* there. I've also purchased some at St. Vinnie's. They are only $.50, but they are usually in only fair condition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E_Edgerton Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Have you checked your library book sale? Ours has a wide range of children's books that are in excellent condition. They charge $.10 each (prices will obviously vary). I have acquired an excellent library of books utilizing my book sale. I would also check thrift stores, but really check the books out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Our best source has been the annual Friends of the Library sale. Ours has kids' paperbacks for $.50 and kids' hardbacks for $1.00. There are library discards as well as many donated books. My next best stop is a used bookstore here that has a good selection. A little more expensive than the library sale, but much cheaper than a regular bookstore. Finally our home school group does a used curriculum sale in June and lots of people bring regular books to sell too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 The Friends of the Library bookshop at our library, Bookman's used bookstore (if you live in the Phoenix Metro Area or Tucson this will be an option), secondhand picks at Hastings bookstore (when we lived in TX, they aren't in large metro markets), and of course checking books out of the library have all been biggies for us. Look into summer kids discounts on books, and most stores (Hastings, for example, w/ 20% off) extend their educator discounts to homeschoolers. You can use this even when "homeschooling" your preschooler, depending on the store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettyL Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 betterworldbooks.com ~ no shipping charges :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kalanamak Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 My DD is turning 3 in a few weeks and she is very into books. But gosh, I do not want to spend $15 or $20 on a book that's going to take 5 minutes to read to her. Where do you find nice childrens books for a decent price? I'm wondering if places like Goodwill and the Salvation Army have books in good condition? Does anyone know of any place else that may have them? I also go for the 4 for 3 discount at Amazon. Get their Chase Card and you get money back. Goodwill, here, is the best, but go every week and just run through the books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawn in OH Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I don't know if they have these everywhere, but we have a bookstore near us called Half Price Books. They carry both new and gently used books. I just got my kids some brand new books for $1.98 - $3.98 each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 ... has an Acts 2 table where people lay out books and curriculum materials for others to take, free. It's a really nice way to move things around. Also there is a church near here that has what amounts to a free rummage sale twice a year. Gently used clothes, sundries, kitchen stuff, knickknacks, and books are laid out all over a big parish hall, and, again, anyone can take anything for free. At one of these events a few years back I picked up 10 middle school Newbery books! Leftovers are taken to a charity that gives everything away for free to almost homeless families. Also, you might want to consider buying a few really special ones. Although they are short, you do read them over and over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Sometimes places like Goodwill and Salvation Army have good books, you just have to look. I also look at yard sales; buy from my local library's yearly sales; buy from used bookstores; buy from discount bookstores; and buy used books online. With very sturdy, cardboard type books, you can wipe them down when you get them. With others, you may be able to spray lightly with Lysol. Around here, we have Half Price Books. Places like Books a Million and Barnes and Noble always have big sale book displays for children. Places like T.J. Maxx and Marshalls also have book racks in their children's toy sections, and so does Tuesday Morning. All those books are offered at discounted prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orthodox6 Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Sales at local libraries which are sponsored by groups usually called "Friends of the Library". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Goodwill, Saver's, yard sales, church & school rummage sales, library sales. I have rarely had to buy books full price, and we have too many to count. I once found KF history of the world guide (internet version) perfect hardcover, at a library sale. For $2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeeBeaks Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 In that age range, library sales are our #1 place to find them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
courtney.byrum Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Library sales, thrift stores (some charge too much though) Our library (well the next town's...) has an ongoing book sale and kids paperbacks are $.25, kids hardcovers are $.50. I've gotten a ton of good books there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted February 20, 2010 Author Share Posted February 20, 2010 Wow, thanks for all of the suggestions!! Tomorrow I think I'll hit a couple thrift stores around here and see what I can find. And I'll definitely have to hit the Friends of the Library Sale whenever it happens. I do get some great books at used curriculum sales, but those aren't till a few months away. The thrift stores seem like my best bet before her birthday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I've been buying children's books like crazy lately, especially vintage ones. I mostly buy from library bookstores. The library we go to is in a wealthy area so the books are usually in excellent condition, and range from current popular titles, old quality collections that have been sitting in grandmas house since the 50's. Most of the books are $.50 but I'll pay as much as $2 for a nice hard cover. Garage sales are also a good place, the prices around here start at $.10 to maybe $1. The best ones around here are when the high schools have garage sales, or a church rummage sale. There will be tons of books to go through and they'll always lower the price if you buy a stack. It's all about not being shy and bargaining for a lower price. Thrift stores are also good. Amazon when I'm too excited to wait, or if the title is to obscure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margo out of lurking Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 In my little Stickville county, I've been amazed at what I see at the Friends of the Library book sales. Many, many people donate books specifically to the Friends, and these books are sold at monthly book sales for $.50 or less. In contrast, the books sold by the library are no longer suitable for circulation, and these are the books I avoid. (Although I am waiting for the Thornton Burgess books to go on sale, even in their poor condition!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissel Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 I have found some in the local thrift stores, but in my experience, most tend to be worn out and dated. This has been my experience too. A few times I've scored some treasures, but mainly it's a waste of time around here. I'll agree with the others on the library book sales (to which I'm hopelessly addicted). Try this site to find the ones near you: http://www.booksalefinder.com/ I love Paperbackswap too. I only discovered it after I had decluttered a great majority of the books I didn't need anymore, but I found that you can buy credits for the site for about $3.50 or so, which is not much more than you'd pay to mail a book, and which supports the site directly. I've saved SO MUCH money on school books that way--I've gotten Galloping the Globe, Five in a Row manuals, RS4K books, go-alongs for my WP and SOTW plans, etc. It's more expensive than library book sales, of course, but good for fulfilling specific needs you might have. In contrast, the books sold by the library are no longer suitable for circulation, and these are the books I avoid. (Although I am waiting for the Thornton Burgess books to go on sale, even in their poor condition!) I've actually gotten so lucky with library-bound books. Often, around here, they seem to be books that no one has really been interested in, so I've gotten some very nice hardcover living books for just about nothing! And I found a first-edition copy of Burgess' Whitefoot the Wood Mouse at the last sale I went to :D It's not in perfect condition, but I love it anyway. Now if I could only convince DD7 to let me read it to her *sigh* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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