Children's Books

As I get further into my major (almost finished really) I am getting more and more obsessed with children's literature. The only teaching experience I've had has been in the BYU Kindergarten. For those of you unfamiliar with this facility...they are basically spoiled. Don't get me wrong, it's a wonderful, wonderful place to work. But, it is nothing like a real public school classroom. Every resource you could possibly need is right at your fingertips (for FREE)! I was so spoiled working there. When I wanted to do a center that involved art supplies I had them. When I wanted to do anything with cardstock, lined paper, construction paper, glue, tape, pom poms, glitter, clay, sand, etc, etc...I had it. It was heaven. 


So now all my teachers are telling me, "when you have your own classroom, your supply of resources is very limited." I guess with my experience, it had just never crossed my mind. I have to supply nearly everything that I want to use in my classroom. Yikes. 


The other thing teachers supply their own of...books. Yep, those amazing classroom libraries that you had in your elementary school classrooms...they belonged to your teacher. Of course, there are ways to get books. You can check out books from the school library. But depending on the area, some schools don't even have a school library (mind you, that is rare). So, I'm starting to realize that if there is anything (resource wise) that I want readily available to my classroom children, it's books. Lots and lots of books. Reading was always a staple in my house growing up. I remember having access to tons of books at home, making multiple trips to the library a week, and ordering books from book orders every month. We loved books. And my belief in the importance of reading has only grown more since I've started my degree. I think it's important to have children's books in every room (including the bathroom and kitchen...I can explain that one if you're interested). So, where do I start? 


This semester I have access to the Scholastic book orders through one of my teachers. It has been wonderful, but even the book orders (where books are typically reasonably priced) can get expensive. I spent an hour at DI yesterday searching through children's books trying to find some good ones. I got 7 books there for about $7. Not bad. Their books range from $.75 to $1.25. I can handle that, but the pickings are slim. Most of the books are weird titles that well, frankly, deserve to be at a DI. 


So here's my question to you! :)


Where do you buy your children's books for cheap? 


Also, who are your favorite children's book authors? 


I'll list a few of mine below, but I would love to hear who you love and where you find their books! 

Kevin Henkes for so, so many reasons. I want to own every book by Kevin Henkes.  

If you haven't read the Skippyjon Jones series, you need to (especially if you like doing fun accents). 

This book is great for repetition with young children. 

Of course Maruice Sednak must be included.

I'm not crazy about the "critter" books by Mercer Mayer, but I love his books outside of that series. There are a handful. 

I love these books. 

There is also a whole series to this book. I got one at DI yesterday, "Vote for Duck."

I love Jan Brett's books. I love how she presents the illustrations.

Mo Willems' books are hilarious!

Fancy Nancy is an adorable little story. They've made a whole series from these as well.

Fun book with really fun illustrations.

Of course it's impossible to list all my favorites. I left out pretty much all the classics. These are just a few on my mind lately. I will tell you what I don't enjoy though...I don't enjoy the new fad of potty humor books. I think there are just so many more quality children's books out there. How many titles can they make with the word 'underpants' in them? Honestly...?