We’ve always had lots of books in our house. As homeschoolers, many of our walls were lined with bookcases filled with books. But whether you have many or a few books, Montessori book baskets can be an inexpensive, yet attractive way to feature books and make them easily accessible for young children.
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Using Montessori Book Baskets for a Variety of Ages
My 19-month-old granddaughter, Zoey, has loved her book baskets since she was just a few months old. A book basket is still one of the first places she goes when she arrives at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
For babies and toddlers, it’s good to have a majority of Montessori-friendly books. Those are books that emphasize reality and have photographs or realistic drawings. Montessori-friendly books for babies and toddlers don’t have fantasy or talking animals. They’re very helpful as babies and toddlers work to understand their world. (Note: There are some books that I feel are too good to omit, such as Goodnight Moon or Eric Carle books, even though they don’t have realistic images.)
For preschoolers and older children, book baskets can be a great way to focus on a specific theme or simply have some favorite books easily within reach.
You might want to design a book nook for your book basket, have a child-size chair nearby, or just have a rug available for your child to sit or lie on when looking at or reading books.
Montessori Book Baskets for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers – Video
Christina and Zoey show how we use book baskets in this video.
Related Bog Posts
Current Books in My Book Baskets
I rotate the books in the book baskets whenever I want to renew interest or feature some new books. And I still always keep some books available on shelves as well.
Living room book basket:
I bought Global Babies for Zoey’s home when she was a newborn. Later, I bought this for my house. They’re both great, although Global Babies is probably my favorite.
There’s a whole series of books. Zoey LOVES them. They’re rather advanced, so I just read as much as Zoey wants to hear.
This is another series Zoey loves.
Stop That Ball was the first longer fiction story that Zoey really enjoyed.This has lots of fun moving parts!
Be sure to read the blog post and watch the video at “How to Teach Phonics with Montessori Letter Work” for important information on how to use the book.
Zoey loves this book! It’s the book in the video that she asks to have read to her.
Office book basket:
This is one of my very favorite Bibles for young children because of the lovely drawings by Richard and Frances Hook.
Zoey always enjoyed this book, so I’ve kept it out. It has lovely pictures and message, and I like that it helps her understand what she was like as a baby.
I also have a category with lots of themed book recommendations for a variety of ages.
Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!
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Simone Davies says
I was just telling a parent about book baskets and sent them this link! Thanks Deb.
Deb Chitwood says
Thanks so much, Simone! I really appreciate it! 🙂 Deb
Lisa/Syncopated Mama says
We have book baskets in several rooms of the house, a small book cabinet for her in the hallway, and a large bookcase with all her books in her room. She utilizes all of them!
Deb Chitwood says
That’s awesome, Lisa! I love hearing about homes that are perfect for book lovers! 🙂
Emma says
Baskets are a great place to keep books because they’re so much more accessible than on a shelf and more likely to get looked at!
Deb Chitwood says
Thanks for your comment, Emma! I totally agree. 🙂 Deb
Seemi says
Just watched the video, Deb. Zoey is the cutest kid ever!
Deb Chitwood says
Thanks for your sweet comment, Seemi! I agree! Of course, I’m not biased at all. 😉 Deb
heidi says
It’s so great that you have books available to her all the time. It opens the world to kids.
Deb Chitwood says
Thanks, Heidi! I found that having books always available made a great difference for my own kids. It’s fun to help pass on the love of books to the next generation. 🙂 Deb
Samantha says
Great post! Thanks for linking up at the Thoughtful Spot!
Deb Chitwood says
Thanks, Samantha! And thanks for hosting each week! 🙂 Deb
Stephanie says
love the book baskets! I have several around the house. I find it difficult to switch the books since they get so hooked on them, lol. Popping over from Tot school Gathering place!
Deb Chitwood says
Thanks, Stephanie! I know what you mean about finding it difficult to switch the books. My granddaughter gets hooked on so many of them that I have to keep them in the book basket for awhile, too. 🙂 Deb