It's here!

My book set is here. Received it earlier than expected and it is definitely in good condition.

Much better condition than the one I saw at the secondhand bookstore. Pages are clean, crisp. Well-kept book. I know I paid quite a bit on the postage, and it could be cheaper. But it is still way cheaper than the price quoted to me at the secondhand bookstore.

Books were neatly packed by the seller (thank you!) and it arrived in complete set. For a book that's as old as 35 years, the condition is just amazing. 

Now, let's wait for the second set of books (last published in 1988) to arrive.

Update: Second set arrived in a EVEN better condition! So proud of myself for the find! :)

My Little Bookworm

Reading starts at an early age. How early? As early as you can imagine - from the womb. I used to read when I was pregnant with my baby. But after she was born, I was limited to baby books and baby-related articles online.

But, my husband and I also developed one more practice - reading to our daughter. She usually just grabs the books, tries to eat it, loses concentration or simply throws the book. Not that she is not interested in reading - it's the way babies are :) They think books are toys.

We kept reading and showing the books to her. One of my husband's favourite books as child was "Three Billy Goat Gruff." (Nah... never heard of either..) So, that's the book we always end up reading because the story gives so much of animation opportunities - like the different sound we can make while narrating and the different types of voices we can use to identify the characters.

And also, those were the only board books I bought for my daughter - so really there isn't much options either. :P

Recently, I discovered (quite fashionably late as well) that Book Excess has huge store at Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya. Who are these people? They are the parents of Big Bad Wolf book fair. I am definitely not a fan of BBW. I've been there only once, and probably due to the fact I was heavily pregnant at that time (I went into labour one day after visiting BBW), I didn't enjoy the walkabout that much and the titles offered did not fascinate me either. So the following year (last year in fact), I deferred my trip there.

However, their physical store was completely a different story. My, oh my! So many books - especially children books! I was ecstatic! Why? It's just one station hop from my office. I can catch my lunch and shop for books well within my lunch hour! It was just amazing! And how stupid I have been not noticing this before. Well, not too late I hope.

So I went on a shopping spree buying children books for my daughter. A great find was Roald Dahl set, and a classic bedtime storybook - We're Going on a Bear Hunt. I came back with loads of board books and stories and I aim to get plenty more. We're going to build a little library, remember? :P

Now, my daughter points to "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" title every night before bed time. My husband and I, will animate the words and sing the story to her (no, we did not make the song up. It's from YouTube by the writer himself, alright?) Well, she responds to "uh, oh!" and "oh, no!" for now :)

She will then flip the book and tries to read it on her own. It's really adorable. Really. Every single night.

Anyway, thanks to my generosity in supplying fresh titles to my tot, we have forgotten the old ones. We haven't touched those old baby books in ages! 

Today something wonderful happened. My 16-month-old daughter was busy walking around the house, and I suddenly found her scrummaging the area we used to keep all her older books. She picked up a book that I have not read to her for quite some time now - The Three Billy Goat Gruff!

She walked up to me, passed to book to me and gestured to read it for her. When I opened the book, she stopped me and gestured that she wants to sit on my lap. Yeah, I remember - I used to read that book while she sits on my lap! Aww... my little girl wants me to read her a book! It was just a warm feeling and I felt all those days showing her the books, trying to read to her while she tries to munch the pages has finally paid off. Now, she wants to read all the time. Well, she doesn't exactly "read'. For now, she's flipping the pages carefully and looks at the pictures.

A little bookworm in the making?

Not quite there yet.

But, we're getting there!

Books, books and books!

I can't believe I have not blogged for few months! Can you believe that? Of course you can, you saw no posts for the past few months, and it's not something new, isn't it?

My baby is now all grown up *isk* she's turning 16! 16 months that is... :P So that means, I get to spend more time with her and she knows what I'm trying to teach her. She now walks and talks! Babbles most of the time, but she can say some simple words to get what she wants... like wanting touch something. Or wanting to eat banana. Yes, just like me, she likes banana.

And the fact that she's more mobile now is enough to keep me on my toes. She's very responsive to instructions and requests for her to do something. So, what is my point now telling all this? 

I've been busy of course! Now you know, why the blog has been lonely for so long? Hehe...

Alright, now that my daughter has been growing up at lightning speed, it's a good time to start building that little library I have always dreamt of for my children. 

Yes, with physical books. 

No, not my Kindle library. 

Yes, the books has no batteries. 

No, you have to read to those books.

Yes, by actually flipping the pages.

Yes, library for children exists.

When I was a kid, my parents unknowingly (I think it was just by chance) bought a library set for me (and my sisters). That one thing helped shape my future. They didn't know reading starts at an early age. They just thought the books would help us in one way or another. I loved those books. I would spend hours browsing and reading. Reading again and again. 

And they went missing. The books I mean, not my parents.

I knew I had to get those books back - back in my shelf. My daughter must read these book. She simply has to. I despise those who has never touched these books as kids. I truly am saddened - saddened that my daughter may never read these books. The fact that these books are no longer in publications means, I cannot buy any new editions of the ones I used to read. 

And so, I found out a secondhand book dealer in KL - Junk Book Store at the heart of KL city. I called them up and found out they do have the book sets available and apparently, in good condition too.

You see, good condition is a very subjective term. I was hoping it to be almost new, untouched kind of good condition - because the price they quoted was well above what my dad paid for many years ago. I know, I know... I was expecting too much. But the price that they quoted, equates to my expectation.

Only to be let down. I was hunting for 2 sets of books. One set looked as if it was dug out from a trash bin. There were torn pages, plenty of markings and scribbles. The other set looks good from the outside. The covers were nice, but there were so many markings, drawings, scribbles and what appears to be hand prints of kids. I was really disappointed. Price was not negotiable at all. I didn't feel happy paying the sum and I knew Internet will have the answer.

Ok, eBay to be exact. Just to be clear, I have searched these books in eBay before, but sellers were either selling incomplete set or bad condition set. Not too happy about it either.

But luck was on my side when I finally had the time to comb through eBay and find the books I wanted. I found two of my favourite set, both located in US, one being a rare collection now. Vintage set, how about that! Now I know why the secondhand book dealer was charging me an arm and leg for it.Non-negotiable on top of that!

Surprise surprise, the price was negotiable on eBay (I gave my best offer and it was accepted). And with the shipping and all, what I paid was just half of what the secondhand book dealer quoted me. And the best part is, the ones I just purchased were in excellent condition - at least from the pictures shared to me by the seller - far, way far, better than what Junk Book Store had in their store. I wish, I could bring my books to them and show it to them.

Well of course I can't.

Who would lug 31 books across the KL city just to prove a point? And, it's in their name - they call themselves "junk" for a reason, right?

Anyway, I don't have the books yet in my hands and I can't wait to touch and flip them. These gems, (yes, GEMS) are on their way to their new home. I am excited... I finally found something that was so much part of my childhood which I treasured so much. I'm sad the original books that I read are missing now... but I am also glad, I found a replacement for it - and one that is in good condition too.

Watch for my updates when the books are delivered to me.

By the way, eBay's global shipping program is just so awesome. It takes the worry out of me cracking my head over import duties, taxes and customs. :)

So now, Mr Husband - we have a library to build. :)