Children's books: how to find the right one and buy at a better price
A book for the age, not just the cover
For the youngest there are books with thick board pages: they can be chewed, wiped clean and turned by clumsy fingers. For three-year-olds, picture books with flaps and short rhymes work well, for preschoolers, stories, picture encyclopaedias and writing practice books. First readers need large print and short chapters, and teenagers read fiction or fantasy.
If you want a particular book, write the author, title and publisher. Modern children's books often have several editions, and they differ in format, illustrations and translation.
What to put in your request
- type of book — board book, stories, encyclopaedia, first reader, colouring or sticker book, teen fiction;
- author and title, or the series;
- child's age — a range, for example 3–4 years;
- theme — space, animals, dinosaurs, adventure, learning letters;
- language — English or another language;
- edition format — hardback, board pages, flaps, sound, size;
- quantity — one book or a set;
- new or used, budget and delivery city.
Example: “I'm looking for The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson in English, hardback, for a 3–4-year-old. New or used in good condition, no damaged pages. Budget up to Rs 2,800, courier delivery to Rawalpindi.”
Add a photo of the cover to your request if you have an old edition. It will be easier for sellers to find the same one.
Edition, translation and condition
One story can be published by several publishers in different translations, so two “identical” books will differ in price and quality. Ask about the publisher, the year and whether it is the full text. Ask for photos of the cover and the endpaper.
With used books, check the condition: bent corners, pen drawings, torn pages. For small readers with board books, check that the flaps and corners are not damaged, because they tear first.
Set or single books
Series and sets usually work out cheaper than single purchases, but you risk getting extras. If you take a set of ten books, ask for the list of all titles. For a gift, ask whether you can pay extra for gift wrapping.
How it works in BlaBlaPrice
You write one request and book sellers reply in the chat: which edition, what condition, the price, how they will ship. BlaBlaPrice compares the offers and shows the best one first, judged on what it contains, with reviews of the seller next to each. Contacts are hidden and opened only to the one you choose. More in how it works.
Books sometimes go well with toys, and for school see school supplies.
