This series has reviewed the importance of reading for language development and as a means to enrich and deepen discussions, understanding and emotion. It has covered using technology to engage hesitant readers and now let’s review where to get hands on hard copy books!
When it comes to books, the world is your oyster! Options for books range from free, to low-cost, gently used options to full price. Let’s get you books!
Free Books:
- Little Free Library Find these wooden boxes of free books in local neighborhoods.
- School Library
- Town Swap or FreeCycle, Share Sites, CraigsList
- Hand-me-downs
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library This is “a book gifting program that mails free, high quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income.”
- PJ Library “PJ Library sends free Jewish children’s books to families across the world every month.”
- Local Book drives and Exchanges
- Local Library and County Library or BookMobiles
- check out the post on free resources for online books and children’s read alouds.
- Book Trust “We empower kids from low-income communities to choose and buy their own books, all through the school year. And our focus on book choice and ownership is no accident. Studies show that children are much more likely to read books that they choose, and having books at home brings proven benefits.”
- First Book. “First Book believes that education is the best way out of poverty for children in need. We provide books and other resources to classrooms and programs serving children in need, from birth to age 18, in order to remove barriers to quality education for all kids.”
- Kids Need to Read “All children and adolescents will have access to quality books no matter their race, economic status, or capabilities.”
- Library of Congress Surplus Books “The Library of Congress has available at all times, for donation to eligible organizations and institutions, surplus books which are not needed for the Library’s own uses.”
- Literary emposerment foundation
- Publisher Donations – sometimes publishing houses will make direct donations.
- books for kids
- Reach Out and Read partners with providers to act as on ongoing source of books for children during pediatric visits.
- Reading is Fundamental
Low-Cost and Gently Used:
- Library Sale Shelf
- Garage Sales
- Town-wide swap evens or Social Media Pages
- Amazon – gently used
- Local Book Store Sale Racks
- Barnes and Noble – sale racks
- Consigment Shops – gently used books are usually prices at .50 or $1.00
Full Price Books:
- Independent Book Stores
- Amazon
- Scholastic – through your child’s school
Next up, watch for the next post on finding free reading resources online.
From Hedge Funds to High Chairs 