Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Las Vegas, NV

Are you looking to build your library, but don't have the soft money for new hardcovers? If you've flipped over a board book lately, you've probably had the realization that you could stack of board books next to a stack of college textbooks and pay nearly the same price for both piles!
How can you get the most meaningful, age-appropriate volumes for your little one?

The dollar store
If you have a Big Lots, 99 cent store, or chain along that vein, you can find some great deals. Granted, you're not looking for leather-bound first editions, but for simple picture books that can entertain your kids in church or in the car, they're great. After all, who's going to sweat the skid marks on a dollar book that gets chucked a few pews over?

Your local library
Although most kids books in the library suffer so much wear and tear that they don't make it to the used book sale shelf, but it's worth keeping an eye out for some good titles. Most library-bound editions are built to be sturdier, so they are often in good shape despite the number of sticky fingers on their pages. Besides, it's good knowing that the dollars you're shelling out are going back into bringing more books to your community.

Share and swap
Are you tired of patting the bunny? Ready to say a final "good night" to Good Night Moon? Invest in some simple labels, make a list of ten books and then swap them with a friend. Make sure you're clear about your expectations about whether you want them back or not, how you'll handle the inevitable destruction of at least one book, etc. If you agree to the rules ahead of time and never swap anything you'd be heartbroken to lose, you can get a fresh stack of stories to entertain your little one and have a convenient excuse to not Hop on Pop tonight.