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How To Frugally Build a Child’s Library

Yum

Some women get excited about new clothes, some love shoes, others collect make-up. I’m the kind of girl who swoons over books. My childhood books are some of my most prized possessions. They have been carefully saved to be read to my children. While I have saved several of my old books for our homeschool preschool. I am always on the lookout for more books to add to our preschool book list. This can get expensive, but I have figured out a couple of ways to frugally build a child’s library.

how to frugally build a child's library

Gifts

When family members ask what to get your child for Christmas or birthdays, suggest they get books. Give them a list of the books you most want your children to have. When my grandmother found out our love of Beatrix Potter books, she gave us several that will be treasured forever.

I always make it a habit to give my children great literature at every holiday. Christmas, birthdays, and Easter all come with at least one new book for every child.

Used Book Sale Groups Online

frog and toadI used to laugh at my husband and Nana for joining online yard sale groups mostly on Facebook. Then I discovered a Used Charlotte Mason Items for Sale group on Facebook and my tune changed. What? I can get wonderful literature for cheap? Yup. I recently bought two like-new Frog and Toad readers for $3. I think they were $6 each at the bookstore. All you do is request to join the groups and follow all of the group rules once you are accepted. I also like Viv’s Adoption Fundraiser for books.

Antique & Thrift Stores

curious george

My husband and I love perusing antique stores. I have found some wonderful books on the shelves in those stores. Many of them are just a buck or two. My oldest son loves Curious George and I was thrilled to find an original Curious George in an antique store. I also look for Little Golden books, any books on Ambleside Online’s booklist, and any books that have award seals on the front. I never pay more than $5 for a book and I much prefer to keep it under $3 per book.

Barnes & Noble Kids’ Club

little bear

The kids and I can spend all day in our local Barnes & Noble. The last time we were there we signed up to join the Barnes & Noble Kids’ Club. When you sign up you get 30% off one item either in-store or online. For every $100 you spend on kids’ items you get $5 reward. Plus, your kids get a free cupcake from the cafe on their birthdays! I like to use Barnes & Noble to purchase those gift books for my kids and other children. They also have a lot of good quality toys.

How have you frugally built your child’s library?

On Being Frugal
 

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Homeschooling, kids & Natural Parenting 15

About Joanie Boeckman

Joanie Boeckman is a simple girl who loves Jesus. Her husband is her American hero and her five children are her world. She loves to encourage women in their roles as wives, mothers, and homeschool teachers. You can find her blogging about homemaking, homeschooling and simple living at Simple Living Mama. Also check her out on Facebook for fun updates!

Comments

  1. Leah Courtney says

    March 10, 2014 at 5:03 pm

    Those are some great ideas! We love books here also!
    Leah Courtney recently posted…Ten Ways to Encourage Your Child: An Excerpt from No More Perfect Kids by Jill Savage and Dr. Kathy KochMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Brittney says

    March 10, 2014 at 9:59 pm

    I also like to hit up the library book sales where I can get children’s books for 50 cents each! Children’s books are my passion. 🙂
    Brittney recently posted…Action Adventure Role Play (Educational Toys Planet Review)My Profile

    Reply
  3. Emma @ P is for Preschooler says

    March 12, 2014 at 10:20 am

    I’m the kind of girl who gets excited about books too! When I was younger, the other kids wanted to go to the toy store; I was all about the book store! lol! We love thrift stores and library book sales for buying books inexpensively. Most of my daughter’s books are second-hand. 🙂
    Emma @ P is for Preschooler recently posted…DIY Easter Pom Pom DecorationsMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Heather says

    March 12, 2014 at 5:45 pm

    There’s no better feeling (as far as being a book collector is concerned) than walking out of the library book sale with 200 great children’s books for only $20. I run a lending library, though, so I can justify the quantity of books I collect for children. It is sad what the library throws out, and even sadder what junk replaces it. Another favorite book finding spot is the annual homeschool convention used book sale. At the end of the weekend, they allow you to “glean” from what is not picked up. I have found some real treasures that way. We also have a lovely used bookstore that has a good children’s section and they will accept trade ins as credit towards a percentage of what you spend on things you don’t already have. Sigh. I love books. I can’t say I am frugal with my book collecting, but I generally don’t pay full price! Oh yeah, there are sites like alibris and such where you can get used ones really inexpensively, especially if you choose ones from the same seller so they will piggyback shipping charges. Barnes and Noble has a homeschool educator’s card, as well, if you need to buy new, also. Great ideas!
    Heather recently posted…This Place is Blooming With Color…and Blessings…In All Shapes and Sizes.My Profile

    Reply
    • Joanie says

      March 12, 2014 at 5:53 pm

      I have got to find out if my local library does these book sales you all are talking about! We just moved here, so hopefully they do! Thank you so much for the additional ideas!

      Reply
  5. J. Rae says

    March 13, 2014 at 3:01 am

    Great tips! I haven’t tried facebook groups yet. Do you search for them by city?

    Reply
    • Joanie says

      March 13, 2014 at 3:20 pm

      I actually found the FB groups through other FB homeschool groups I’m in. These particular groups will ship books, so you don’t have to be local.

      Reply
  6. Jennifer Altman says

    March 18, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    Great minds think a lot, love that we did the same topic but have different ideas!
    Jennifer Altman recently posted…LDS Homeschool Conventions (2014) and ResourcesMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Sarah Mueller says

    March 18, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    I, too, adore books – they are my weakness 🙂 We have tons of books in our house and my kids have become true bookworms. Thanks for sharing at Family Fun Friday!
    Sarah Mueller recently posted…My $10 a Month Smart Phone PlanMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sarah Mueller says

      March 19, 2014 at 6:42 pm

      By the way, I’m featuring your post this week 🙂
      Sarah Mueller recently posted…My $10 a Month Smart Phone PlanMy Profile

      Reply
      • Joanie says

        March 19, 2014 at 7:07 pm

        Thank you, Sarah!

        Reply

Trackbacks

  1. On Being Frugal Blog Carnival | Schoolhouse Review Crew says:
    March 12, 2014 at 12:01 pm

    […] Joani @ Simple Living Mama — How to Frugally Build a Child’s Library […]

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  2. Family Fun Friday {Week 61} says:
    March 20, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    […] Joanie shares how she builds her kids’ library frugally. […]

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  3. 107 Ways to Save Your Family Money - BIG TIME! says:
    March 26, 2014 at 4:06 am

    […] How to Frugally Build a Child’s Library […]

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  4. Ways to Save Money Everyday says:
    June 29, 2014 at 10:51 am

    […] How to build a child’s library on a budget […]

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