This past September, I turned the big 3-6. For weeks, The Hubs asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I, honestly, just could not think of anything. For real.
My special day came and went and still my mind was blank.
About a month later, it hit me...the answer to the birthday gift dilemma. It was nothing really. A teensy-tiny request. A simple project. (It was totally not simple!)
"I want a home library...a place for all our children's books," I casually tossed out to The Hubs one day.
"K." came his reply.
The next day, he rounded up some helpers and a stash of supplies, and got to work converting a small little attic room that had previously been used for crafting, sewing, and storage.
A couple weeks later, my gift was complete. A home children's library of my very own. The Hubs christened the new space by presenting me with a plaque that he had made himself from a page from an old book. It reads, "May your shelves always overflow with books."
Happy birthday to me! (I know what you're thinking, Ladies...He's so dreamy! Sorry girls, he's taken.)
Then came the unpacking. We live in a really tiny house and have never really had much space to display bookshelves. Prior to this lovely space, most of our books had been boxed up in plastic storage tubs in our basement. Every couple of days, I'd have to trek down to the "dungeon" with a flashlight and dig out one or two titles.
But, those days are long gone.
My daughter and I spent a weekend organizing, alphabetizing, and even purging books. (We gathered three bags of duplicate copies or twaddle books to donate to charity.)
It was amazing to see all of our books laid out for the first time. It was like a happy reunion with long-lost friends.
Having a children's library of my very own isn't just a way to feed my book buying addiction (although it is that). It is a place where my children can spread their arms wide and enjoy ALL of the books on the shelf. Each book is a built in YES and a stepping stone to help them grow a love for reading and a discerning eye.
By creating a pallet filled with beauty and truth and virtue, I hope to help my children become repulsed by the tawdry and cheap offerings of the world.
Come take a peek into my library. See how I've organized our books and listen as I share the system I've designed to encourage my kids to return borrowed books to their rightful place.
While it probably wasn't necessary to build an entire room dedicated to children's books (a few shelves in the living room would have sufficed), I feel like this one act affirms the family culture we have spent years building.
A reading culture...well, really ANY family culture...is a demonstration of what is important to you. It is a presentation of your priorities. It's not what you say that really matters in life. It's what you do.
"Culture" is created in everyday choices.
When given the choice of the "perfect" birthday gift, I chose books!
Helpful links for creating a reading culture in your home
The Best Emergent Readers for Phonics Based ReadingWhy My Kids DON'T Read Many Award Winners
Books Every Preschooler Should Enjoy
Great Read Alouds for Lower to Mid Elementary
20 MUST READ Chapter Books for Young Boys
20 MUST READ Chapter Books for Young Girls
30 Character Building Books for Young Boys
Tips for Developing a Reading Culture
What Reading Time Looks Like in My Homeschool
Top Nature Study Series and Field Guides for All Ages
For more ideas on organizing your home library, be sure to visit iHomeschool Network.
This is great!
ReplyDeleteI love this post and will use your paint stick idea! But I really must know, what are your favorite historical fiction series? I noticed Landmark and American Girl, but couldn't place the others.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this. Posts on books are always my favorite...
Krystal
Love this! I organize my nonfiction books in our schoolroom a similar way and our fiction books are in the "Book Nook" at the top of our stairs - organized by series or type. I LOVE the paint stick idea and am going to make some for our family - which also happens to be color-coded. ;) I love books and hope to instill a love for them in our children.
ReplyDeleteHope it works for you like it's been working for us!
DeleteHow fantastic. I love it. We are blessed with a living room and a family room. Our living room is our family library and we call it such. I love having a safe place for them to find books.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Dawn
We've never really had bookshelves throughout the rest of the house because the rooms are so small. I'm really enjoying having a spot for all our books now.
DeleteExcellent idea! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAwessssssome. Paint-stirrer markers even more awesome. Good job to you and husband!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea! I struggle with letting my kids loose at our local library as well so this would be a great solution. And your solution for helping the kids keep the books organized is genius! Thanks for making a video and sharing your children's library with us.
ReplyDeleteLove this! Our last two houses haven't had room for our bookshelves, so most of my books have been in storage for a few years too. Now that we're building a house I'm hoping we're planning on a few built-ins like your shelves so we can get them all out again. Can't wait! We were also just at the thrift store yesterday and found 4 books of a great series called "Young Folks Library" from 1958 that has a GREAT selection of stories and excerpts from books. Really looking forward to building up our homeschool library too!
ReplyDeleteHi Jamie, what are those golden hardcover historical fiction books with golden rim papers? They look beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think you're referring to the Landmark books. If so, they are actually narrative non-fictions about American history.
DeleteNo, I have the landmark books. What I was asking is the books in the 5th photo in this post. In the 5th photo, there are books such as little house series, 20th Century Children's Book Treasury, Cookies and Crutches. What I was asking was the stack of 5 hardcover books near the little house book box, 4 of which have golden cover and golden rim paper and 1 has blue cover. They look beautiful. Thank you!
DeleteGotcha! Those are from a series of books that were gifted to me years ago called The Royal Diaries. Each was about a different woman of royalty throughout history and the world like Cleopatra and Anastasia. However, I got rid of them. I honestly can't remember why I didn't keep them. I think because no one in my house was reading them and because I didn't have time to vet them myself.
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