December 9, 2008 11:14 AM
Get your children gifts that last - books for Christmas!
If you haven't already, this Christmas can be the time you begin to seriously work on building a library for your children. While I am a fan of the public library, with 12 children 8-39, I can honestly say that one of the greatest delights for me as a mom has been to see my adult children browse through our books, which hold so many memories. I love it when grandchildren and book-lover/visitors feel comfortable pulling out picture books to borrow or read while they're here.
No matter how you grew up, a love of books and reading is something that you can cultivate and pass on to your kids. If you want a good reader - and there are many reasons to want your children to become good readers - the most important thing is that your children see you reading. The second most important thing is that you treat books with respect.
Have grandparents been asking what to get? Books are a great present - especially if they inscribe them with the date and a special message. And even more, if they will read them with the children.
Even if you are not homeschooling and you do not intend to teach your children to read, my book Mommy, Teach Me to Read! has lots of information on how to select books and to make them an important part of your home:
If you can afford it, I do heartily recommend building a home library. When your children see you buying books, they realize that books have value and worth. There are so many inexpensive paperback editions out - with the same wonderful illustrations as the expensive hardbacks - that for the cost of a video rental you can get a book or two to have around for many years.Books are a worthy investment. Children treat books like old friends: they want to spend a lot of time with the ones they really enjoy. No child's book is ever read just once. Children return again and again to a favorite book rather than losing interest or outgrowing it. They pore over the pictures, discovering new details, thinking to themselves and talking to each other about them.
Trust me, a good book will hold your child's attention much longer than most toys - and they have the advantage of not missing pieces or cluttering up your house as much. Books also have a longer lifespan than toys. Books have a way of growing up with a child. I've heard of college-bound teens who've asked their parents not to get rid of their own childhood libraries - they want them for their own children.Check secondhand stores and garage sales for used books. But do make sure they are in good repair before buying them. If you bring books with torn or drawn on pages into your home it will give your child the idea that these things are okay. If you want your child to respect books, they must be in good condition.
Let grandparents, friends and family know that you would love to receive books for baby gifts. If you have several children and they receive books for gifts, you will build a respectable library faster than you think.
Consider joining 
to get rid of useless old novels in exchange for some children's titles (if you mention me as a referral, I get a credit too!
Posted in Books, Christmas | Permalink
Comments
Hey Barb, can you tell me where I can get a book holder like the one in the picture? Or a pattern to build one?
Posted by: Shelley | December 9, 2008 1:54 PM
I agree. My daughter (19 months) loves books already.
Posted by: Susan | December 9, 2008 2:50 PM
Great post!
I've been working on our library since my 13 year old was born. We have hundreds of books now because I make sure a book is given for each birthday and Christmas (times 4 kids). I also scour yard sales, library book sales etc. Here is a secret "resource" if book dollars are hard to come by, Half.com is a collective of small book sellers that sell used books for sometimes under a dollar! Some independent bookstores offer loyalty programs that allow you to buy a book for 50% off after you purchase so many books at regular price, this is great if you have admired a pricey hardcover. (I always used my bonus coupon for recipe books)
Also, if you have grandparents that live far away (like we do), have them record the story on tape and send both the book and tape along to the grandchildren. Why let the famous writers and actors get all the book reading action when Grandma and Grandpa can do an even better job?
Posted by: Kelly | December 9, 2008 2:53 PM
Hi Barbara,
I love the idea of giving and receiving books - it's a family tradition at our house :0)
But one word... when you encourage relatives to write a message in the book, you might also encourage them to check first that the recipient doesn't already HAVE that book. My inlaws live out of town and aren't as in touch with my kids' interests, maturity levels, or what is in our collection.
I don't want to sound ungrateful, but there have been several gift books that we might have been glad to exchange (either because we already have copies of them, or because the books were too "young"), but the books had a personal message inside the front cover.
Just a thought...
Julie
Posted by: Julie | December 9, 2008 6:21 PM
