If your house is anything like mine, children’s books seem to multiply overnight. We started with a handful of board books, then came picture books, beginner readers, chapter books, and before long, every shelf, basket, and corner seemed to have another stack.
The funny thing is that kids move through books much faster than we expect. A story they ask you to read every night can end up sitting untouched just a few months later. For years, I boxed everything up and dropped it off at a donation center without giving it much thought. Then I realized just how much we had spent building our little library, and I started looking for ways to earn a little of that money back.
If you’re clearing space on your bookshelves, you have more options than you might think. Some places make the process quick and simple, while others take a little more time but can bring in a better return.
Here are some of the best places to sell children’s books.
Amazon
Amazon can be a good choice if your books are popular titles and still in excellent condition.
Because so many people shop there, there’s a good chance your books will find a buyer. You’ll need to create a seller account, list each book, and handle shipping unless you decide to use Amazon’s fulfillment service.
It takes more work than some other options, but many sellers find they can earn more per book.
BookScouter
If you want to find out what your books are worth without doing a lot of research, BookScouter makes the process easy.
Simply enter the ISBN, and the site compares offers from several book-buying companies. You can quickly see who is paying the most without checking each buyer individually.
It’s a good option if you want to sell quickly and avoid setting your own prices.
Decluttr
Decluttr is another simple choice for parents who want to clear out books with very little effort.
After scanning or entering a barcode, you’ll receive an instant offer. If you accept it, you ship the books and get paid once they’re processed.
The offers aren’t always the highest, but the convenience makes it appealing if your goal is to free up space without spending time creating listings.
Local Bookstores
Many independent bookstores buy gently used children’s books, especially newer titles that are still popular with families.
Some stores pay cash, while others offer store credit. If your kids are moving into the next reading level, store credit can be a nice way to replace books they’ve outgrown with ones they’ll actually read.
It’s a good idea to call before making the trip since every store has its own buying guidelines.
Consignment Shops
Children’s consignment stores don’t just accept clothes and toys. Many also take books in good condition.
Instead of paying you right away, the shop sells your books and gives you a percentage of the sale price. It may take longer to receive your money, but books often sell for more than they would at a yard sale.
Yard Sales and Garage Sales
Garage sales are a simple way to clear out a large number of books at once.
Individual books usually sell for a low price, but families shopping for bargains often buy several at a time. Bundling books by reading level, favorite character, or series can help them sell faster.
If your goal is making room rather than getting top dollar, this option works well.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace has become one of the easiest places to sell children’s books locally.
Parents are often searching for affordable books, especially complete series or bundles. Grouping books by age, reading level, or topic makes listings more appealing and cuts down on the number of individual listings you need to create.
Selling locally also means you don’t have to deal with shipping costs.
Related: Goodwill’s Online Marketplace Is Changing the Way People Thrift
Local Parent Groups
Neighborhood parenting groups are another excellent place to find buyers.
Parents are always looking for inexpensive books to add to their home libraries, and buying from someone nearby makes the process simple for everyone. If your books are clean and well cared for, they can often sell quickly through these community groups.
Before donating your children’s books, take a few minutes to see whether they’re worth selling. Even if you don’t make a huge amount, the extra cash can help pay for the next stack of books your kids are ready to read.
