How to Organize Children's Books

Looking for ways to get control over your child’s ever-growing book collection? Here are some fun and innovative ideas to regain order of your child’s bookshelf and include your youngsters in the process. If books are organized into a logical, systematic and inviting manner, they will be more intriguing for young readers. Similarly, a well-planned bookshelf design will invite children to take on the responsibility for keeping their own books in order. What a novel idea for parents and children alike.

Things You'll Need

  • Bookshelf (basic designs or fun-shaped models, either painted or unpainted)
  • Options: hot-glue gun and 1 to 2 hot-glue sticks, glue dots, picture tiles, colorful mailing labels, stickers, plastic or wooden letter tiles, chalkboard spray paint can and a box of colored chalk and/or magnetic poetry letter tiles
  • Colored plastic bins, rectangular baskets, filing crates or tote bags (one for each small book collection)

Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase or make a fun-shaped bookshelf for the child’s room. Some suggestions include dollhouse, castle, firehouse or cabin designs. Craft and discount chain stores often have unpainted or painted models pre-built in such patterns. These brighten a bedroom and are a fun alternative to basic bookshelves. They generally have a series of divided sections for grouping books, also.

    • 2

      Label bookshelf sections (basic models or fun versions as suggested in step one) with category images for younger children. Hot-glue picture tiles to the shelf edges or attach them with craft glue dots, which are available in craft stores and catalogs. Alternately, adhere colorful mailing labels with stickers or printed with clip art for the categories. Favorite character stickers or printouts work well too. This strategy gives instant organization and encourages the child to sort his books accordingly.

    • 3

      Label bookshelf sections for older children with letter tiles. Wooden tiles can be found in old games such as Scrabble or Boggle. You could also use magnetic poetry letter squares. Attach with either hot glue or craft glue dots.

    • 4

      Sort your child’s library by favorite picture books, bedtime stories, poetry or favorite characters for pre-readers. Sort books for older children by chapter books, author, series or specific genres.

    • 5

      Group small collections of books into different-colored plastic bins, rectangular baskets, filing crates or tote bags to be placed in family rooms. These can easily be carried from room to room and even brought along for car trips or appointments to entertain your child.

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