I love to read and I love to read to my children and I love it when my children read. Because of this, we have books - lots of books. Before I. was born, I taught 1st grade and accumulated many children's books. Now, with the book orders that come home, it's hard to pass up a 99 cent book! I noticed, though, that my kids always grabbed their favorite ones and there were so many that were never looked at. My solution: get 12 magazine files and label them for each month of the year. Then I sorted the books into the boxes - the Halloween books are in October, there are spring books in April, etc. I filled up the boxes. We grab the box for that month on the first of the month, and both kids love going through the box and seeing which "new" books we are going to read this month. If I didn't do this, I'm pretty sure we would have never discovered how much we like learning about bugs, or Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. We would always be reading I Spy or Kevin Henkes books.
Not all our books fit in the boxes. We left our favorite ones on the bookshelf - the ones we can grab any time. The bottom shelf holds our board books - so M. can grab them.
We also have a basket that floats around the house, right now it is on our landing that has all the Easy Readers in it. I got them out from my teacher boxes about 2 years ago, and daily, I'll catch someone reading them. Mostly, I. reads them to G. and he loves them.
Because that isn't enough, we go to the library every couple of weeks. We have a Library Bag, specifically for Library Books and a hook in each child's room where the bag hangs from. ( I plan on painting this room - but inside projects are for the winter).
I don't alphabetize them, or categorize them. I just believe the more accessilbe they are, the more everyone will read them. Tom would say this isn't "truly" organized, but that is the perfectionist in him. I'm not a perfectionist, just a mom who likes things in order and this is what works for us. I can't wait until we get our office built- I've been hinting to Tom that I want floor to ceiling bookshelves flanking the window and a bench under the window to read on.
Just thought I'd pass it on. How do you deal with books?
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8 comments:
I really like your organizing ideas. Currently we have 2 bookcases and the library. I definitely don't have a good system so may implement some of your ideas. Could you work on an idea for dress up for me? Right now we have everything in a big toy box and I hate it cause it is too easy for things to get in there that don't belong. It is just too big of a job for me to deal with right now. (ps can I have susie's address to send on that outfit?)
Great ideas! I love books and never seem to have a system that works! :) Thanks for visiting me today, too! You asked me what shops I was referring to...The Goodwill shop that I frequent is on Leetsdale (I am sure it is listed on their website) and I get the best deals there! Is that the one you wanted to know about? Hope that helps!
-Carrie
I love the idea of the magazine holder for more seasonal books. We have tons as well - my mom is a 1st grade teacher - but I always feel like we read the same 10, and don't know what we're missing. And I couldn't live without the library! My sis-in-law is going to help me organize my linen closet next week - I'll try to post a picture of it.
I love this idea! I also love books, but feel like we have so many, that none of them get read. I am definitely going to do this! Where did you get the paper to cover the boxes, or did they come like that? I do this with Christmas books and movies, they are all in with the Christmas decorations so they are new and exciting every year.
Okay Laurel I'm so glad you are posting these ideas. Having just once again de-junked the kids closets, and successfully organized a few other things,I have officially caught the organizing bug. Our books are on a big shelf in Mer's room and we have that same problem of not enjoying them as much as we should. A couple of weeks ago I started a little book basket at the foot of Max and Jack's beds. They each have there own to read from when they get in bed early. They can pull from the shelf to add to it and when it's too full we reshelf and pick new ones. We also have a designated library basket in our front room that we read from after school.
I LOVE the 12 months idea. Great for holiday books. Wow, so simple and such a good idea. Thanks for sharing it!!
I LOVE this idea! I, too, love books and have too many. I have usually rotated out holiday specific ones, but this is a great way to organize them! It's worth having a mess of books when I see my kids, even my almost-2-year-old sit and turn pages like she's reading. :)
I especially love your 12 months of books idea! I have a 13 month old and we are developing quite a collection. He loves books and is happy to turn the pages as we read. I will soon be putting your great idea to practice in our house. Thank you!! :)
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