Just a few posts ago, I highlighted the great bargains that can be found at the local Opportunity Shop (Thrift Shop). Probably my favourite finds are quality books for unbelievably low prices.
The books displayed here in these photographs cost me between au$1 and au$2. To purchase them new, would cost between au$12 to au$18.
We have used these op’ shop purchases to form the back bone of our CHILDREN’S LIBRARY. This is a library that allows the children to borrow books on a weekly basis to take home and share with their parents and family. In the past we have found that we can generally expect to lose between 3-6 books annually through providing this experience for the children. As a ‘not for profit’ organization, resources are precious and any loss is disappointing. So we have found the use of second-hand books in this instance to be very cost effective.
Library day is a much anticipated and exciting day for the children.
They are able to select a book to take home in their very own special library bag.
The children are free to select a book independently but staff do offer the children a little information about books that they show an interest in to help them with their selection.
So why do we think it is so important to send books home with the children? Well here are 12 very good reasons!
12 REASONS WHY PARENTS SHOULD READ TO THEIR CHILDREN:
- For companionship, pleasure and the enjoyment of time spent together
- Because when they are held and given attention, they know they are loved
- To help children understand themselves and their wider world
- To catch the particular moment when a child is interested in learning more
- To spark their curiosity and imagination
- To promote story-telling and pretend play
- So that they can absorb the language of literature making it easier for them to read it later on
- To discover how writers write
- To help find information and answer questions
- To develop positive attitudes towards reading and a love of books
- Because the illustrations in children’s books often rank with the best, giving them a life-long feeling for good art
- Because children’s books today are so good that they are fun for adults too
What a great post! I, also, do a lending library once a week for the kids so they can check out books to take home to share with their families. Occasionally, books are lost or destroyed,so I get most of my books for the lending library second hand. I’m saving this list~ I might just have to include this in our library book bags! Thanks, Karen! :))
You are most welcome Ayn! That is exactly why I formulated this list, to share with my parents so that they hopefully see the value in finding time to read with their children. Glad to hear you also do a lending library, so important I think. 🙂