I HEART Children's Bookstores

I don't know how many children's bookstores are still out there... Does anybody? I'm guessing less than we would all hope, unfortunately.

We spent the weekend with my in-laws in Memphis and my mother-in-law and I were looking to kill some time Monday afternoon. There was a little used children's bookstore we used to frequent (I love a good deal), but my MIL told me it is now closed. No wait! I just looked it up, and I think she's mistaken. It's still open. 

Well anyhow, we thought it was closed and so I inquired as to whether or not there might be an independent children's bookstore in the area. She told me that she used to take my husband and his sister to a place called Pinnochio's when they were young. But she assumed it was now closed. 

She went and grabbed the phone book to look it up, and guess what? It's still open! (I told her she needs to have a little more faith in her local children's bookstores!)

So, of course, we headed out to Pinnochio's. (I'm sorry, they don't have a website, or I would link it.) This store has been open for 31 years, and it's the same women working there now that opened it! Sweet women, and so helpful. Shopping an independent bookstore is truly an experience. 

We were greeted the moment we walked in the door. We were asked if we needed help finding something, but we weren't pestered. It's a very small shop, located in an old house, so you don't have to go searching for someone to help you when you need it. The women in the shop let us browse all we wanted, and gently offered helpful info and suggestions from time to time. 

There were other shoppers in the store as well. One was a father, there with his children. The shop owners told him how happy it made them to see a dad taking interest in his children' reading. I heard them tell another customer that they wanted them to be excited about their purchase, so they would be excited to go home and read it with their child. I love these ladies!

These ladies knew their stuff, and had a great selection of quality books displayed. I spent a bit of money in there (more than I had planned to), and there was still so much more I wanted to buy! Another day... Another day...

So what did I purchase?

• Llama Llama Red Pajama
• A storytelling Snow White doll (for a birthday party this weekend)
• A couple birthday cards
• Barnyard Bath 
• A Grand Ole Tree (A fun alternative to The Giving Tree)
• A Click Clack Moo t-shirt 

Next time you are in the market for a children's book, I encourage you to try to find an independent children's bookstore (unless you must buy it online... then buy it here). It'll cost more, but it's worth the money... for yourself, your children, and your community!!

Children's Home Library Start-Up - My Dilemma.

"Long before children are introduced to the public library, books should be a part of their home lives. Begin a home library as soon as the child is born." - Jim Trelease (The Read Aloud Handbook, 2001)

If you don't have a home library for you child, I strongly encourage you to start one. It doesn't have to be expensive. Want some awesome, inexpensive bookshelves? Craigslist is a great place to search. I think we paid $30 for a nice all-wood shelf for my son's room, but you can find shelves even cheaper than that on there. If you're lucky enough to have an IKEA near you, that's a great place to look too. Or make these shelves. I plan on putting some of these up once my son gets a little bigger and is able to explore books on his own a little more.

Need some books on the cheap? That's even easier than finding inexpensive bookshelves. Visit garage sales, thrift stores, consignment stores, consignment sales, and library book sales. I get amazing deals at these places all the time (Read about it here and here). But I would also encourage you to spend some money on new books when you can. There's a special feeling that comes with having your very own, brand-new, shiny book! You can always request these at birthdays and holidays too, if your family and friends are wanting gift ideas for your little one. (You can check out the Literacy Launchpad Store in the sidebar for some great book-buying!)

I have been working on my child's home library for years now, because as a literacy teacher, I'm always buying books! And as it turns out, this has created a bit of a dilemma for me. I don't know which books are his and which books are mine!

He does have a some books that are definitely his. And I let him chew on these, drool on these, and crumple the pages as he explores them. But there are many books that I consider mine, and I guess I'm just not a good sharer. I know he would enjoy many of my picture books as he gets older, and I want him to have the freedom to look at and explore them on his own. But I'm fearful of what may happen to my precious books!

So what do I do? Do I need to just let it go and share? Books are meant to be enjoyed, right? Hopefully, if I teach him how to properly care for books, he'll treat my books kindly.

... Or do I leave my books put up somewhere for special reading times only? What would you do?

Buy Books Here!!

You may have noticed my brand new, fancy-dancy, Amazon widgets on the sidebar. Yes, I have finally sold out and put ads on my blog. And here's why:

1. I earn money. Obviously. Actually, I earn Amazon credit. It's not much, but it might allow me to get a book on Amazon every once in a while for free! And what's better than a book? A FREE book!

2. These widgets are informative. I like to mention and display the books we're reading (or have read) in class anyway. These widgets make it easy for you to see what we've read in class and access more info about them.

3. They encourage book buying. I strongly encourage you (parents) to be building your child's home library. If your child comes home from class talking about a book they really liked, I would suggest adding it to your home library. Amazon has great pricing on their books, and your child receives a fun package in the mail with one of their favorite books inside! And if you're going to buy the book anyway, buy it through the Literacy Launchpad blog! You can click on the image or title of the book and it will take you directly to Amazon's website .