On the bookshelf

I gave the bookcase a bit of a clean-out today, donating books and toys to the Salvos that were no longer interesting or used. We still have plenty left, plus the girls have books in their rooms and we have a bookcase in the dining room.

We love Enid Blyton books. The girls' have read heaps of them (from home and the library) My favourite growing up were the Secret Seven books. I've found a few from OP shops over the years. Trixie Belden were another favourite.

This Mallory Towers was Amies set and will be passed onto Ruby once my girls have read them. The one with the yellow cover we searched for for ages, finally locating it in an antique shop in Oamaru on a last trip away with my parents and Amie in 1997.

Noel Streatfeild's Ballet Shoes was a favourite of mine growing up, so I was thrilled when I found a copy. The second one "Ballet shoes for Anna" I found in an OP shop.

Some favourite classics the girls love!

I love all the Astrid Lindgren books, Lotta ones were an all-time favourite. This green cover Winnie the Pooh was on our families bookcase growing up. I was happy when Mum gave it to me awhile ago to enjoy with my kids.

This collection all holds a special place in my heart for me. "Old hat New hat I remember bringing home from the town library ALL the time when Mum and I used to go on Monday nights. Dad would always say "not that book again!" Ha ha! The Coles Funny Picture Book is very old. It belonged to my oldest brother Warwick, and was given to him by our Granny. "Bread and Jam for Frances" is still regularly read by the kids. It's falling apart though, which I think just adds to the character.

These are some of Ella's absolute favourites. So much so, that she keeps them in her room and no one is allowed to touch them :) 

We also house small toys on the shelves, done up in categories in Systema containers. It makes it very easy for the kids to see where everything goes as they are labelled!