I am an avid reader; books have always been in my blood. I began collecting antique books in second grade (the older the inscription the better), spent my primary days reading Enid Blyton’s Mallory Towers series, and of course, L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series. I ended up getting both my undergraduate and graduate degrees in literature, worked in several bookstores, and finally spent a few years as a children’s publishing sales rep before starting a family. I love books for their content, their entertainment value and their aesthetic. Whenever I used to move, my books were the first things unpacked and placed on my custom 4’x8′ bookshelf; my books made wherever I lived ‘home’.
Obviously, I wish to encourage a love of reading with my children, so we started integrating books into D’s bedtime routine when he was just a couple of months old.
Declan is an incredibly visual baby, so we often change what we’re reading, sometimes on a nightly basis. I recently noticed that he was especially drawn to photos of animals and books with different textures. I decided to try a great used book outlet nearby, where we often go on rainy weekends to peruse the shelves and pick up books at noncommittal prices.
Harvest Book Company is a large online retailer of used and rare books, but they set up a small ‘storefront’ retail space in their warehouse where people can buy right from the shelf. I suppose I should mention that I scoped this place out even before we moved here, as the hotel we stayed in (when looking at potential houses before moving) was located in the same industrial park. Used book outlet minutes from where we live? Score!
We also scored the last time we went, as we were able to find a great book with pictures of animals, and we found this amazing gem (did I mention that they carry a large selection of children’s books too?):
This is a pristine 1963 edition of a book that resonates with both my husband and myself from childhood, and it’s the perfect read as we head into spring. What a find for $1! There are several great things about this a.) we get to share a favorite childhood story of ours with our son, b.) it’s one of my favorite forms of recycling (used books), c.) it’s illustrated by Richard Scarry, d.) the book is in pristine condition and is a board book, without the chunkiness of today’s board books,
e.) the book was formally owned by a little boy named Boris (doesn’t get much cooler than that):
f.) the illustrations are so wonderfully 60s:
and, g.) Declan really seems to be enjoying it:
I love the illustrations! We are avid readers as well and I hope that reading to our children will help that love of reading to flourish
Can’t wait to read to my future kids!
I love this. As soon as we found out we were pregnant I started buying books. And used is so great. We are collecting all the classic we loved like Where The Wild Things Are. Our little girl likes to listen to me read at bedtime too 🙂
In my opinion, it’s never too early, or too late, to begin. In a digital age, nothing compares to the quality time spent reading to/with your little one(s). Plus, studies have shown that children who are read to have a greater vocabulary (amongst many other benefits).