I need advice : Time Life Books for Kids ?
March 30, 2009 at 2:26 pm | In Uncategorized | 18 CommentsI have attended 2 presentations from a group called TimeLife(Tiem warner Brand). They offer a home library for the kids of 0-12 years which they call as Total Development Program.
Though I appreciate that the books are of good quality and the concept and content is good I have my doubts.
Oneis that its mighty expensive , atleast in Indian Rupees.
Plus I am not sure if it makes sense to get a home library from one company or get books as and when needed for the kid. My point is if he gets a new book he getes attracted to it for its new. If we buy loads of books and keep , all of then in same size and look and feel ,it might be too monotonous for him.
Also that I fear that once i would buy I would insist on him to go through them and that might backfire.
So I am thouroughly confused. I need help!
Has anyone used these books ? Could you tell me if its worth the investment , not in terms of content but in terms of practical use.
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I have absolutely nothing to say on this!
But, even then, my view on this – buy him books he can relate to or grow to love…
Comment by Pixie — March 30, 2009 #
As we have discussed before, I’m not pro these kind of books. They will have enough learning options on their plate once they start playschool, preschool etc.
But if you think they are actually wonderful with respect to content, buy them but take out one book once in 2 months so that he doesn’t get bored.
Comment by ~nm — March 31, 2009 #
Since I have not scanned the books for their content, you will be the best judge. But let me share something with you that might help you decide.
I invested in a similar library from the Scholastic Company. The books contain, early reading books with audio cd (main character is Clifford) this is a set of 6 units, each unit contains 12 books and a audio cd. there are 4 books with audio cd, these are story books of mogli, little mermaid, lion king etc.
there is a ‘tell me why’ series of books with amazing illustrations and info, there is also an encyclopedia series, then there is a moral-studies series with cd for each unit.
there are some games also…logic-pro is the name, and I also have some picture dictionaries. there are also books for stories for each day of the year (4 books) and also books about words (4 books)
Now I bought this entire set when my son was only 17 months old…and now he is 3 and 1/2. he loves his books and picks them up on his own. Now I have not opened up all the books yet, like the encyclopedia and the moral-series. But the other books, he scans on his own, asks me questions and likes to listen to the audio cds and tries to follow the book.
Now you said something about you feeling the pressure to urge him to read them, well…if your child is fond of books, you will have it easy, but if not, then you will have to start taking a book and showing him what amazing stuff lies in them.
I buy other books also for my son, so I will not tell you that buy this library set and you are done…no buying books does not end, but yes the child learns to value books, and knows that these are ‘his’ books.
http://www.mycoolthing.com/2007/09/05/grolier-children-book/
this link has some pictures of the books..that i mentioned.
you can take your child to the office of these book people and see how your child feels about them.
I hope my inputs help !!
Comment by Neelum — March 31, 2009 #
well i would prefer buying books every now and then rather than at one go. but then again you dont have to give him all the books in go. one every few weeks and then keep rotating them. Cubby already has loads of books and even those i keep circulating keeping couple of his super favs out at all times.
what neelum said makes sense too. so if you can afford it and thinks its value for money, go for it!
cheers!
Comment by Abha — April 2, 2009 #
Oh this is right up my line… my friend is a distributor of all these books-Time Life and other publications for children, incl. Childcraft.
Time Life is hugely expensive. I strongly urge you to NOT consider it.
I invested in Childcraft(will tell you more about it if you want) for Ishaan and Amar Chitra Katha for myself. Ishaan loves his Childcraft and I can safely say that it has aroused his curiosity in things. But the Tell Me Why Series, imho, is much better, both in terms of illustrations and in terms of replacing if one book is damaged from the set. Childcraft is really bad on that account. You lose one book its gone for good.
Personally, I think that the second hand books have been much better. he now knows his nursery rhymes from Disney, from Barney and from Pooh. He has cardboard books with stories that he can relate to (his favorite is one where a puppy is too small to do things he likes and how other people help him realise that there are great things that he can do BECAUSE he is so small) , one about Grover going to bed etc.
To answer your question – Jayanagar IV block market has the BIGGEST second hand bookstore that i have seen anywhere. In fact, just yesterday i was thinking of the limited choice we have here and was hoping i could visit that place once at least..
I have never asked them about childrens imported books.. basically bcs those i used to source from the Hyderabad Sunday book market, and then since Ishaan, from the second hand bookstores in Gurgaon. But i’ll be very surprised if they dont have anything in that dept.
If you need anything more, pls email me and then maybe we can talk on the phone.. i m good at putting together a library(even if i say so myself, can take credit for making bibliophiles of all the kids whose reading i planned through the years.. all of them love books now).
Most of us dont realise how important it is to plan the child’s library, and to do it year after year.. but can tell u from experience that it can make a world of a difference to a child.. esp in a world where a child’s attention has the competition of short term pleasures like X Box and TV and Computer games.. books are among the few things that force a child to have a longer attention span.. (there, i start on an altogether another lecture)
Anyway, good luck for ur search!
Comment by How do we know — April 2, 2009 #
Hi there,
i have a 9 month old and i would really like her to be a book lover.\\\
i just sat through a presentation from time life and although i am
tempted (primarily for the content) i cant afford them.
you mention in your post that you can help with putting together a
library – any help with that would be greatly appreciated.
do let me know how i can get in touch
thank you
varsha
Comment by Varsha — July 27, 2009 #
OOps.. sorry about the length of the comment!
Comment by How do we know — April 2, 2009 #
Hi,
saw your mail while seraching for time life series.
Hey !! “How do we know” , could you please tell me where in jay ngr. is this shop ? I am putting up in B’lore but never been to that area.
and I also would to also like to know more about childcraft, as in publication, titles etc..
Comment by Upma — May 6, 2009 #
hi. Im wondering if anyone can help me access second hand timelife copies?? Its really expensive but I have also heard fantastic things it does for your child…thx. pooh
Comment by pooh — May 13, 2009 #
and yes… where is the jayanagar second hand book store??
Comment by pooh — May 13, 2009 #
Hey Pooh and Upma, I do not know where to get timelife second hand books and about the Jaynagar store , I would ask Howdoweknow and let you ppl know.
Comment by myamusingmind — May 13, 2009 #
Oh don’t buy them ! I have them and they are a waste!
Comment by babiesanon — June 9, 2009 #
Ohh finally some one who has them
And thats you of all the people
Comment by myamusingmind — June 9, 2009 #
Do you plan to sell them? If so, pls call me on 9980130182.
Comment by Nth — July 12, 2009 #
Are u planning to sell it back babiesano? If so let me know.
Thanks
Isaacs
Comment by Isaacs — July 10, 2009 #
hi there,
even i have taken the time life books presentation and they have been playing on my mind ever since. but i hv also nt been able to make a decision regarding whether i should buy them or not. Content wise they are amazing but only point is whether they will be able to serve the long term purpose of creating love for books in my 4 year old son??!!also i would welcome some suggestion about what other kind of books should be looked at for a 4 year old??
Comment by Shweta — July 27, 2009 #
OK people, i am back, after a really long break..
I don’t remember where in IV block market that store was.. but its there.. i usually find it while walking around.. am sorry can’t help there.
@ Varsha: Your child must be 11 months old by now. Please get some board books with large print. I will need to know the gender of the child, but in general, I strongly recommend Pooh books from second hand stors.. all board please.. bright colors, large print and BIG pictures. Nothing expensive,because ur child will tear quite a few books before looking at them as things to like.
The way to start books with your child is as under: When the child is sitting, open the board book at any random page. Then say “magic!” and open it to another page. Then tell the child “Isnt this a wonderful toy! It shows a different picture each time.” Do this for 2-3 books as your child wonders.. then let them open each board book (with ur help, if required), and be sure to say magic! each time the book opens to a new picture.
This is the best way to start infants on books. As their age changes, our approach changes too.. if we stay in touch, we can work on this together..
@ Shweta: Re. books for 4 year olds, pls dont buy Time Life or any other educative stuff. Tell you what, please email me at kijaana@gmail.com with ur phone no. and the following info, and i will advise:
Age, gender of the child:
Current preferances / hobbies / likes of the child:
How does the child pass time now?
Why do you want them to love books (this is a funny question, but you’ll be surprised at how many parents think of making their kids Einstein by reading, while my approach is to use books for entertainment, Life and Value Education that is otherwise missing, so its imp for me to know what the parent wants out of the book reading.)
What kind of books does ur child read right now, and for how long does s/he read at a stretch?
Will u have the time to read to them, about 30 minutes for abt 3 times a week, if i recommend books for that? Reading time with parents is one of the strongest ways to build the reading habit in a child. The other is for them to see their parents read.. so tell me if u r open to that.
Tell you what people .. Talk to me if you want to plan their libraries year on year.. no consulting charges,and i dont sell books, so no commission either.. i just have a gift, and want to use it to benefit as many kids as possible.
Comment by how do we know — September 5, 2009 #
Hi,
I was also in dielmna for past 2 yrs. whether to buy so costly books and recently I took the membership of justBooks library ( they have 4 libraries in bangalore) and have been reading TimeLife books to my son for almost a month now. Now my experience is:
1. Don’t buy the books, its not that great also in terms of contents. What I mean to say here is though these books are great but doesn’t contain all the things which a child need to know.
2. I have taken their “avid reader” program in which u can borrow 4 books at a time + free home delivery ( I wanted it badly as I am working , though I belive nobody has time to visit library everyday). So, almost on daily basis, we get 4 books ( home devlivery).
3. I utilise the books best when I know I need to return and I am paying rent for everyday.
4. I get lots of other wonderful books along with TimeLife.
5. Week-ends, I take my kid there to attend activities + can use walter there.
6. I feel happy when I get all the benefits of TimeLife/other books which spening much.
7. After 5 years or so kids want to read books of their choice not what parents impose, so library works out better as sometimes they can read with their choice and sometimes with parents choice.
Comment by Upma — September 29, 2009 #