Buying Children's Books at the Car Boot Sale.

It never ceases to amaze me how many nearly new, and often classic children's books you can find at a Car Boot Sale. They are a fraction of the cost of the original price, at on average 50p a book. On occasions it is possible to buy children's books that look as though they have come straight off the press.!

I used to think how sad it was that they weren't being read, but having seen a number of children's bookshelves overflowing with books it is clear that they have acquired so many, it would be difficult to read them all that many times before outgrowing them. This is possibly down to the government and media who have frequently and commendably been promoting books and reading for children , plus we are a society of excesses, and books are no exception.

Buying secondhand books reduces the use of our diminishing raw materials, whilst reducing the numbers of books that are pulped.

Tip of the week. Look out for old Ladybird books as some of these can be quite collectable. The most sort after are the classic tales ( Cinderella, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, etc). If you find one of these that is buff coloured, but still has it's original dust jacket and is marked 2/6d, and in good condition, then you may have a book worth, on average, between £10 and £15. The original Ladybird books first appeared in the 1940's and 1950's. An early price of 2/6p (printed on the inside front flap, and later on the back) remained so for 29 years. The early editions were buff coloured with dust jackets.

Early 1970's 15p ones, particularly the classic tales and vintage "Read it yourself" may also have some value.

Remember that, in general, books that have been price clipped are worth less than those with the price still intact.

Above is a Ladybird book entitled "Aesops Fables" Although I would suggest it is in the classic tale category and vintage , it is priced 24p and dates from around 1974, so probably not so collectable.

The very first Ladybird book was "Bunnikin's Picnic Party" produced in 1940. An original of that would be worth finding!!!