Used Book Finds!

     It was a very hot Saturday yesterday and on the way to the grocery store the iced java craving hit, but disappointment soon set in when we found the local coffee shop closed for updates. Updates? Really?! How to assuage the disappointment? Books, of course! Disappointment quickly turned to joy at the wealth of literary treasures we found at the nearby Salvation Army Store. We are always on the hunt for great books and fantastic deals and the Salvation Army seriously delivered on both. At $0.10 a book you can't get much better, considering several of the books we procured appear to be brand new, some are signed by the author and others are interactive and fully intact (no missing pieces, yay)!

     We often hear parents complain about the cost of new books when their children look at them once and then toss them aside or of not knowing what to choose at the bookstore. That’s why used book sales are such wonderful ways to grow your home library, not only for your child but for you as well. Used sales allow you to “try” out an author or genre without paying a higher price for something you or your child may not enjoy, though there is something to be said for being among the first to read a newly published book or to grab that long awaited sequel just released (I’m thinking of The Day the Crayons Quit and the sequel The Day the Crayons Came Home. Must haves in this house.)

     This latest trip garnered some wonderful finds that are definitely a hit with the three year old. Snagged three Buck Wilder books that are signed by the author, several Sandra Boynton books, first readers, fairy tales, ZOO! A Big Fold-out Counting Book, and a unique Cinderella puzzle book by Ruth Sanderson where the pages are puzzle pieces attached with a ring and when the puzzle is put together, you and your child can use the illustrations to retell the story in your own words.

     Our greatest finds are those books that been discarded because they are considered “old” or are no longer in print. We consider them classics. We love these older books because they often have more sophisticated vocabulary, open a window into history through subject matter and illustrations and just seem sweeter and more subtle. This may not apply to all older books but don’t disregard a book just because it has been published before your child or even you were born. A book that is thought to be old is just old due to its age and is still of value.

     When the holiday’s come it’s always nice to reread those favorite books on your shelf, but new ones are always welcome. We found quite a few nice holiday titles.

     So with summer in full swing and plenty of time to keep those reading skills sharp, consider all the places where you can locate some fantastic finds:

• Goodwill
• Thrift Stores
• Garage Sales
• Used Bookstores
• Library Sales
• Salvation Army Stores
  

Happy reading and don’t forget that when you are through, please pass your book to someone new!

*Update 7/3/2018: Just two days later and we have snagged even more amazing books after a visit to another Salvation Army Store, Goodwill Store, and a library book sale!