The Daily Cafe

Kindergarten Library Purchases

#1

Do you have advice on the best way to buy appropriate “good-fit” books for a Kindergarten classroom library?

#2

So many choices :). Do you already have “leveled books” for your reading time? If so, I’d look for different books for your classroom library. Books that are of high-interest to the kids, predictable books, author collections.

As far as “how to buy”, look for deals that various publishers put together. Sometimes “WilBooks” has great collections for a small price per book. Their non-fiction books are really great. Scholastic also puts together classroom sets for various grades also at reasonable prices. Once school starts, using book clubs (like Scholastic and Trumpet) not only allow kids to order books, but the teacher gets lots of points to “spend” on books.

Look on teacher websites, such as “Teacher Swaps” in your area–some retiring teachers, or those leaving the profession, often have collections they are willing to sell cheaply.

Just some ideas–I’m sure others can their more ideas.

#3

@AmyBrabenec Once school begins I also recommend using Scholastic Book Clubs. You can earn bonus points to build your classroom library and they also have many promotions where you get free books when a parent orders online. When I moved from 3rd grade to 1st grade I needed some more picture books for my library so I actually went on Ebay and searched for lots of books. Many of the books where from retiring teachers. I was able to get large bundles of books for reasonable prices. I also like to get the $5 books and stuffed animals from Kohls. You get a nice hard cover book and a matching reading buddy. As an added bonus the money goes to charity. There is also a letter that you can download and print from the Daily Cafe website asking parents to donate books. The link is below. Good luck building your library.

#4

If you are looking for emergent readers to buy, here are some great sources:

Danny Books
http://www.maryruthbooks.com/Danny-Books-Prodlist.html

Reading Reading Books
http://www.readingreadingbooks.com

Pioneer Valley Books
http://www.pioneervalleybooks.com

Even Lakeshore Learning has several sets of emergent readers that are especially appropriate for Kindergarten students.

And of course, every classroom needs a set of Mo Willems, Elephant and Piggie books. :smile:

It is so exciting to puts books in the hands of beginning readers and see them begin to “read the pictures” and take off!

#5

Thank you so much! Yes, we do have some books already, but needed to purchase more “good-fit” books for the students to choose for their book boxes. Your suggestions were very helpful!