Encyclopedias. They feel ancient anymore don't they? With the internet being used for everything, they seem to have all but disappeared.
When we were younger they were our favorite thing to flip through. Even if we didn't know what a Sloth was, it was still fun to look at the pictures and then later on, read what they were all about.
We must have spent hours checking out all the different types of cats, dogs, insects, farm animals... all sorts of things! Now we might have been the only book worm (early nerd) around, but they were great fun! The good news about them disappearing from our homes is...
... they can be found at second hand and thrift stores for super cheap! They are perfect for your little ones and can entertain for a solid 15 minutes, if not half an hour. In our book, that's enough time to start a load of laundry, make lunch and answer a phone call!
Don't bother picking up the whole set (unless you're really inclined) try just picking up 1 or 2 volumes at a time and taking them back to the thrift store next time you're back in the area. It will keep your bookshelves clutter free and keep the good times rolling!
We're you raised in an encyclopedia household? What was your favorite thing to look at? Let us know in the comments below!
(Image: Flickr Member Rishabh Mishra (possible248) licensed for use under Creative Commons)
I loved my early-80's World Book Encyclopedias when I was growing up! My favourite things to look at were the transparent film pages that layered up to show the inner workings of the human body... or mountain ranges.
And when the Science Year Book would come in each year, I used to enjoy adding the reference stickers into the original volumes.... ahhh, hours of nerdy, anal-retentive, bliss!
view Libberator's profile
I was a mythology nerd and I loved looking up Greek and Roman gods and goddesses! I'll have to go through my parent's shed to find the encyclopedia. It's also a cool reference for kids to see how much the world, especially country borders and names, has changed.
view T-da's profile
We had a set of Compton's Encyclopedias and I looked through them all the time. The transparent pages of the human body were a favorite of mine too! I also liked the part about gemstones where they were all listed and pictured. My mom recently took our set to goodwill and when my dad found out he freaked. out. He doesn't use the internets for information (he never has used a computer) and he was still using them to look stuff up. I told my mom she can probably pick him up a cheap set at any thrift store.
view julie_k.'s profile
When I was little I read every encyclopaedia, front to back. First the set my parents got at an auction from the '50s (I couldn't for the longest time figure out where Pluto was - as it was called planet X) then the library. I have a stash of old National Geographics ready for when my daughter gets interested - tho hopefully not as intensely as I was.
view Hollie's profile
My twin sister and I grew up with the Childcraft series, and it was a big argument over who got to keep them now that we're adults with our own homes (I won). Lucky for her, I found a complete set at a local flea market for only $8!
view nikosaur's profile