I have to share the greatest project Elisa and I have done in a long time...
We have been looking for preschool-type "face out" bookshelves for some time, but we could only find them in specialty catalogs for a hefty price. Recently in Chattanooga, TN (which is less than an hour from my parents' home where we were spending Christmas) we visited the Children's Discovery Museum. In their library section Elisa saw some amazing built-in bookshelves made of...
...you'll never guess...
rain gutters!
When we got home, we quickly went to the hardware store and for a grand total of $35 in parts we now have some nifty built-in, face-out bookshelves that are just the right size for our kids!!!
(By the way, as long as I'm on the subject, Chattanooga is probably the COOLEST place we've ever been with our kids (and we're pretty well-traveled). There is a TON of stuff to do and the kids love it. We could probably spend a whole week there. So, if you're looking for a great place to take your kids, try Chattanooga!)
Oh, and here are the pictures of the shelves (click to enlarge)...
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UPDATE: They say that one good idea deserves an entire blog, so we've started Thoughts On Parenting. It's a place to share good ideas on how to be better parents (in less time and for less money!).
You are in SOOOOOOOOOOOO much trouble.
Chattanooga is like 85 miles from where we are.
LOVE the bookshelves. . .but now all your children will be reading is stuff from the gutter.
Posted by: Thomas J. Wilson | 2007.01.06 at 05:42
What an awesome idea. We may have to steal it. And may I say, as a children's book buyer for a very cool bookstore, you have an awesome and diverse collection of children's books. Way to go!
Posted by: amy soupiset | 2007.02.08 at 22:29
Excellent idea! Saw a link to here from Alpha Mom. We are in the process of doing my son's 'big kid' room, and I am totally stealing your museum-stolen idea. Thanks!
Posted by: Laura K. | 2007.08.07 at 11:51
Love the rain gutter shelves. Can you email me a list if materials?
Posted by: Mandy | 2007.10.24 at 18:36
Looks like the great Jim Trelease brought this idea to the masses back in 2001. http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/oliver.html Enjoy the reading...
Posted by: gia | 2007.11.11 at 21:02
I was visiting an amazing school a couple months ago. The principal had rain gutter shelves displaying hundreds of books in his office. I'm eager to implement this in my Kindergarten classroom.
Would you mind emailing a list of materials you used to complete the project?
Posted by: Tiffanie | 2008.06.10 at 13:57