Unexpected Finds!

     Sifting through boxes, browsing table after table, gazing at shelf after shelf...oh the endless joy of a used book sale! So many wonderful books just waiting to be found if you're willing to spend a bit of time searching. Over the last week and a half we have been on several used book sale and bookstore adventures and just look at the marvelous books we found!

Where did we find such a vast array of quality children's books?!

The Book Exchange - in downtown Jackson, MI
     There is no shortage of books to browse through at this used bookstore. On our latest trip we found:
          -Book Cooks: 26 Recipes from A-Z Inspired by Favorite Children's Books by Cheryl Apgar
          -Cinders: A Chicken Cinderella by Jan Brett
          -Ming Lo Moves the Mountain by Arnold Lobel
          -Too Many Toys by David Shannon
          -Fairy Tale Weddings Paper Dolls by Tom Tierney (with all of paper dolls intact)
          -A Frog in the Bog by Karma Wilson

The Book Burrow - in the basement of the Downtown Lansing Library in Lansing, MI
     The majority of the books available for sale at this location are discarded or withdrawn library books and most are in excellent condition. Their prices are a little higher than most used book sales within libraries, but they had a unique selection. On our trip we found:
          -The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape of Margret & H. A. Rey
             by Louise Borden
          -Musk Ox Counts by Erin Cabatingan
          -Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Joel Stewart
          -Let It Fall by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
          -Hornbooks and Inkwells by Verla Kay
          -Louisa May's Battle: How the Civil War Led to Little Women by Kathleen Krull
          -Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco (autographed by the author!)
          -Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller by Doreen Rappaport
          -Sally Go Round the Stars: Favourite Rhymes from an Irish Childhood by Sarah Webb & Claire Ransom

Book Worm Heaven - on the 2nd floor of the Mason Library in downtown Mason, MI
     Slip behind the busy circulation desk, around all of the book carts to the staircase leading up to a quaint and cozy used book shop that features prices that cannot be beat! Children's hardcover for $0.50 and paperbacks for $0.25! We picked up:
          -Mother Goose's Melodies (Facsimile Edition of The Munroe and Francis 'Copyright 1833' Version)
          -Work: An Occupational ABC by Kellen Hatanaka
          -Operation Alphabet (Ministry of Letters) by Al MacCuish
          -Apple by Nikki McClure
          -Indian Tales: A Barefoot Collection by Shenaaz Nanji & Christopher Corr
          -Chicken Soup With Rice by Maurice Sendak
          -The Dead Tree by Alvin Tresselt
          -The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen

Schuler Books & Music - in Okemos, MI
     Schuler is one of our favorite bookstores because it has new AND used books all in one building! Being a regular bookstore their prices are a little higher than library used book sales, but it is always worth taking a look because you just never know what you might find. Also, take a look through their bargain books, new books at a discounted price. On our trip we got two used books and one bargain priced:   
          -Chocolate: The Consuming Passion by Sandra Boynton
          -Once Upon a Recipe: Delicious, Healthy Recipes Kids of All Ages by Karen Greene
          -Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots by Sharon Lovejoy

Bookstock: Used Book And Media Sale - Laural Park Place in Livonia, MI
     This is a HUGE used book sale inside of Laurel Park Place mall. Tables are set up all throughout the mall and are covered with books. Under the tables are boxes with even more books that are slowly brought out as the tables are emptied. The sale is a week long and there are usually special days, such as a Teacher Appreciation day. This year we found these great titles:
          -Bone Button Borscht by Aubrey Davis
          -This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie, illustrations by Kathy Jakobsen
          -Sunrise, Sunset by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock
          -Through the Year Book by Holly Hobbie
          -The Magician by Uri Shulevitz
          -How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Chanukah? by Jane Yolen
          -Someday by Charlotte Zolotow

You really never know where you will find the most amazing books! It's worth taking the time to check out any used book sale you come across.

Happy browsing and reading!