[MamaChinch]

My lovely daughter wants to ask Santa for books for Christmas!! (I must be doing something right! he he!) She is in need of some more books that match her development and my mom went shopping yesterday to find some books for her and my mom kept calling from every store she went to....because she was appauled at the prices!

I had suggested a couple storybooks I thought she would like, but has anyone else found that books are REALLY expsensive? One was $16 and another was $24? I know I live in expensive CA, but jeez....even online these book were costly. Many of the books she has I bought one or two here and there and a lot of them were gifts and some were given to me as hand me downs.

Where do you get your kids books? Delaney just loves books, so I will buy...but man I will go broke!!!!!

[dlhall]

My kids love books too. We buy paperback when possible. We also buy at Target or Walmart and even at yard sales. We also get a lot of books from Scholastic; my daughter brings the order forms home from school, but I just checked and you can order from them online. They by far have the best prices. The website is
www2.scholastic.com. You have to click on the shop link to get to the store part of the website.

Liz

[kretzklan]

I was also going to suggest Scholastic. They have quality stuff at low prices.

[ddahl]

Honestly, I am a thrift store hound and I am always picking up like new books from a variety of thrift stores. I had an age appropriate library of new books that continues to evolve over the years. Nothing is more frustrating for me than to see a book I paid $18.00 for on the shelf of the goodwill. I find with the used books, I don't care as much about the use they get.
Also, check with your local library to see when they might have a book fair.

As friends who have older kids to do a hand me down book with you. You might give the older kids mom a Gift card for McDonalds in exchange for their old books.

Just some ideas.

[Ktates]

sign up for Borders or Barnes and noble rewards - I get a coupon almost every week. Also check out Tj Maxx or Marshalls - not sure if you have those out there but I have found they are really great for books.

[crick]

I was in Barnes & Nobles a couple of weeks ago and in their "Bargain Books" area, they had a ton of kids stuff priced 10 bucks and below.

Used book stores are great and I have often found things in great condition.

[randloar]

I used to have links to several good used book sites that if you knew what book you were looking for could get at a reasonable price (not just kids books). .......... unfortunately, I can't find it right now.......

But, Powell's books online has some good ones (I am pretty sure I can now say the name, hope I didn't read the rules wrong!!!), and if you were to do a search for 'childrens used books' you can find lots of options (even for new condition used books!!).......

Just an idea!

[BrandyHagz]

You could always say the name - just not post the website address

[thmc1215]

That E by the Bay (wasn't sure I could put the 2 together) is a great place for inexpensive books too.

[MamaChinch]

Thank guys, great suggestions. I didn't think of a thift store, and guess I should check out yard sales, I usually don't. The Toy R Us went out of business near us and before she came home I picked up a lot on sale, I do belong to the Borders and B&N clubs, too. Guess I just didn't realize how expensive books are now! Yikes!

[ddahl]

I should mention that I use 40 pounds of lysol and bleach wips on anything bought second hand...

[Abdulina]

Yardsales and Goodwill. We have a library here practically in our homework room. And most the books we find at yardsales are practically brand new. BTW, kids at Christmas can't tell if it's brand new or not if it comes in pretty wrapped paper--hint, hint. Two weekends ago I went ot a yardsale w/ my daughter. She'll be 15 next month so the santa vibe is gone--LOL. Anyhow, we found a computerized build robot set for $5. New in the box. They retail for about $130 from what I've seen. We also got the Kinex rollercoaster in the box as well for $5. Think they go for $80 or so. My daughter got a brand new pair of Timberland boots for $5. The lady said she didn't feel like returning them. Price on hte box was $95! Yardsales are your friend when you have kids--LOL. Good luck.

Take care,

[jeni-b]

DD wanted books this year too. I went to Books a Million and found a bunch in their markdown section all under $6, so I stocked up for under $30

[Bcelli]

We are blessed to be in school and have the opportunity every 2-3 months to order books from Scholastic Books also. The school benefits and so do the kids, however, with that said, they still have some hardcovers in the price range you quoted. But I also love the view from the E by the Bay. You also might try finding or starting a book exchange with other parents. And there's nothing like your local public library - so many choices with the additional benefit of a lesson in responsibility. Glad you have a reader. What an added blessing. :-)

[langdale]

The E by the Bay also has a division called Half Dot Com that sells used and new books, DVDs, CDs, and video games for very good prices. They ship them to you by media mail, so it may take a bit longer. We buy lots of books and videos this way. Some have been less than a dollar for items that are only slightly used. It helps if you know the title of the book.