The Hidden Children’s Books

A daily routine turns into a day filled with love and laughter.

Walking my neighborhood the evening before trash pick-up, I saw an unusual amount of boxes in front of a neighbors home  Normally, trash day does not peak my interest. Why I stopped to look this particular day I will never know. I am extremely grateful I took a peek. Hidden inside the mysterious boxes was a treasure of old children’s books.

As an avid reader of all books, understanding the reason throwing away perfectly good books was a bit confusing to me. I grabbed a few to have a closer look. Moments later I was in my car, loaded all the boxes of children’s books I could find, and the books are now part of my personal library.

What I Uncovered

Sifting through my new found treasure, I uncovered classic children’s books dating back to 1959. I have to admit, I was a little sad this treasure of children’s books were removed from a school library, marked as such, and earmarked for the closest landfill. In the three boxes over 100 books lay musty but in near perfect condition considering their age. It clearly is a mystery.

My Experience

My mother and I spent the entire day sifting, sorting, cleaning, and reading as many children books to each other possible. It was fantastic, and a day of discovery as to why it is a wonderful experience to venture back and read a few yourself. Initially, reading the books was just something to pass time and spend quality time with my Mother. Soon after, the innocence of a children’s book unraveled so much more.

The variety of books opened a whole new world from our past we are now looking though adult eyes. What is most fascinating is the remarkable feeling that came over us as we read. We laughed, cried, and discovered and entire new world to explore.

As adults we grow away from children’s books or even reading to children from a real life, “hold it in your hand” book as technological advances are the norm. This wonderful experience brought me back to the reason I love to read, hold, smell, and discover the pages of a bound book. Especially old books with a bit of history and love attached.

Final Words

As a child, I often spent time reading books or even enjoying picture books since the age of three. Crawling around the floor of my local library, spending the day sitting as someone read to a group of children are some of the fondest memories I have as a child. Sitting and reading the children’s books now brought the joyful memories back to the present. Especially, the special moments of my Mother reading my favorite bedtime stories.

What I remember then is completely different, but the happiness and joy was overwhelming. A piece of humanity that is slipping away slowly is now sitting in my personal library. I often visit the little shelf in my library of books and flip through a few favorites, each time discoing something new.

I hope this short but pleasant moment encourages you to venture into a used book store, library, or home and turn the pages of a child’s book.  My hope is you will be thrilled and discover a new and exciting journey of love and laughter.

Share your favorite Children’s Book in the comments below.