If you have spent any time with small children you will know that they love books, and my eldest 3 are no exception. Gemma and Jacob have a stash of their favourite books now – Gemma is a Harry Potter fan and Jacob loves anything to do with Skylanders and Avengers. Max is still at that lovely age where he just likes books – the topic doesn’t really matter to him at the moment. He just likes to cuddle up on your lap and listen to you read to him while he points out things in the pictures.
When we were offered a personalised Tidy Books bookcase I knew straight away it should be for Max. There are 2 reasons for this – Gemma and Jacob already have their own bookcases, and Max is at the perfect age for a Tidy Books display.
First impressions were perfect. The Tidy Books bookcase is easy to put together, and looks beautiful. The white finish makes the brightly coloured letters stand out, and Max has been tracing the M, A and X with his fingers and repeating his name when you sound it out for him.
So what makes a Tidy Books bookcase different? Well, you will probably notice how it is laid out in a different way to your standard bookcase. Instead of looking at a row of spines, you are looking at the covers themselves. Now imagine yourself as a toddler – would a row of book spines mean anything to you? You can’t read the titles, and you can’t see the pictures which tell you what the book is about. So you may choose not to read a book, and instead wander off to find something else to play with. However, if you can see the books, see the pictures on the cover, you can choose the books that interest you. You can make an independent choice, you can access the books yourself without assistance, and you can learn to love reading.
Max adores the bookcase, and that’s no exaggeration. Since it arrived he has spent time every day looking at books. He selects a good range of books now, whereas before he would tend to stick to the same stories – I believe this is because he knew their location in the bookcase and so they were easy to pick – he didn’t know which other books to choose because he couldn’t see them properly. As well as allowing him a better view, the Tidy Books bookcase limits the amount of books you store – and this isn’t a negative thing. If you have too many option on display a child will just become overwhelmed. This way you can display a few at a time, and rotate them regularly. Max loves this, and gets excited when I have changed the books and he sees new stories to read.
Reading is such an important skill, and you wouldn’t think a bookcase could play such an important role in teaching children to love books. But it really does. If children can see and access the books they want to read, they are more likely to do so. They are more likely to share them with you and enjoy them independently. A love of reading is to be encouraged, and a Tidy Books bookcase will help you to do that – it puts books at your childs fingertips.
I really like this. More solid than the usual Ikea version! I wish I had this instead of the normal bookcase my son has! Must check it out!
mel @mydaysni recently posted…Strawberry Jam Filled Ice Cream Cone Cup Cakes
I love the look of the Tidy Bookcases, it’s so lovely for little ones to be able to see all the book covers 🙂
Catherine recently posted…The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton and Jan McCafferty
I’ve had my eye on a tidy books bookcase for the longest time! I so need one in my life!
A has one of these in her bedroom and absolutely loves it! I love the personalisation 🙂 x
Donna recently posted…Pets are such a huge part of the Family
My daughter has the alphabet version in her room. She loves it! It’s so nice for her to be able to choose her own books easily. I’m thinking it will work for a small selection of books or entertainment when she’s older.
This looks like a fab bookcase!! I’m looking around for a good bookcase for my girls’ bedrooms. This looks great.
Beth recently posted…What I Expect From A Childcare Day Nursery
It looks great and affordable. Only shame is so many screws showing. Looks like he has fun with it #TriedTested
I want one of these for my girls, great review #triedtested
Chantelle Hazelden recently posted…A Day In My Life With iCandy
We could really use one of these! The kids books are just shoved in one of our book cases and I think they would love do have their own. It’s really cute too! #triedtested
Erin @Yorkshiretots recently posted…10 for the Weekend – West Yorkshire Family Events July 4 & 5
I’ve been umming and ahhing about these for Evie’s nursery for some time. They actually are a lot bigger than I thought. This is perfect. I definitely need to get one.
xxx
#triedtested
Chloe recently posted…AFTERNOON TEA AT THE ALVERTON HOTEL
We absolutely love our Tidy bookcase, love it. Makes grabbing books so much more appealing for my son.
thereadingresidence recently posted…Magic Blackout Blinds & More
Such a super bookcase! My kids really could have used something like that when they were smaller.
Elizabeth recently posted…Cape Breton Oatcakes & A Story of Migration
I think that it is nice for the children to be able to see the covers of the books #treidtested
This bookcase looks fab! I love the way it shows the books off.
Kim Carberry recently posted…LEGO Elves sets – Review!!
I love the idea of forward facing book shelves like this – they make it so much easier for the little ones to choose their books. I love the personalisation too 🙂
x
Colette B recently posted…Tried & Tested Tuesday
This looks great. A really good size too #triedtested
Over the years I have been blogging I have seen several glowing reviews of these. Always wanted one. Your photography really shows it off to good effect. Gorgeous. Lovely selection of books too.
Liska @NewMumOnline
x
liska @NewMumOnline recently posted…Sunshine, Sunny D and Keeping Hydrated
Wow what a brilliant idea for a bookcase! Emma loves books and I bet she’d love that! Must put that on my (I mean her) wish list! #triedtested
I do like the look of this – and I agree, it’s much easier for toddlers to use. The only drawback is we have SO many books, I’m not sure how we’d store the other ones… #triedtested
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…Hampton Court Flower Show with a toddler
Great review. I must be a similar age to Max as he has all the same books as me! We’re on the hunt for a bookcase and this looks fab! #TriedTested
Baby ISABELLA recently posted…A very British fete