Parenting hacks: 5 ways to build a diverse bookshelf on a budget

Tip 1. Use your local library (it’s free!)

This might seem obvious, but it’s worth saying that your local library is a goldmine of free, diverse children’s books. Most libraries have extensive children’s sections that include picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and more.

Use the Library On free online directory to find your nearest one. Simply type in your postcode, navigate to your local library and search for inclusive titles, taking inspiration from the IBC website.

You can borrow as many books as your library allows (could be up to 25 each time), read them with your children and return them when you’re done, no cost involved.

Libraries also stock new releases and award-winning titles, often showcasing books by a diverse range of authors and illustrators, so you’ll have access to high-quality, inclusive books without spending a penny.

Bonus tips: registering your child for their own library card will make them feel very grown up, boosting their motivation for library visits.

Additionally, ask your librarian for recommendations. They’re knowledgeable, helpful and often thrilled when parents ask for inclusive book suggestions. You can request specific titles if your library doesn’t have them in stock.

Tip 2. Buy secondhand books

Charity shops, car boot sales, school fairs and online marketplaces are brilliant sources of cheap secondhand books.

You can often find picture books for £1 or £2 and chapter books for even less. While the selection can be hit-or-miss, you’ll be surprised by how many gems you can uncover with a bit of patience. Buying secondhand is also more eco-friendly, so you’ll be doing something good for your child and the planet!

Bonus tip: use the IBC website to search for specific diverse titles, then look for them secondhand online. Our Top 10 curated lists can help you instantly create an entire diverse bookshelf. This way, you’re not just buying random books; you’re curating your collection intentionally, without a huge outlay.

Tip 3. Run book swaps with other parents

Start a book-swap group with friends, neighbours or other parents at your child’s school or after-school club.

At pick-up or drop-off, everyone brings along books their children have outgrown or no longer read, and swaps them for ‘new’ books. It’s free, social and a brilliant way to refresh your child’s bookshelf without spending a penny.

Book swaps also expose children to titles they might not have discovered otherwise, which is great for building a diverse collection.

Bonus tip: make the book swap a regular event, perhaps once a term or every year. You could even theme it, for example, ‘swap diverse picture books’ or ‘swap chapter books with female characters’. Use the IBC booklists or representation filters for theme inspiration. This will keep the focus on building inclusive bookshelves for everyone involved.

Tip 4. Take advantage of sales, offers and discount codes

New books don’t have to cost full price. Bookshops often run sales, especially on and around World Book Day, Black Friday and during the January sales.

Online retailers like Amazon frequently offer discounts on children’s books, and many independent bookshops or online bookstores, such as LoveReading4Kids, offer discount codes or loyalty schemes.

If your child is really into a particular book series and wants to read more of the same, it can often be more cost effective, in the long run, to buy a series bundle rather than the individual books. For example, you can find buying links to the Aziza Secret Fairy Door, Too Small Tola, Sam Wu and Marv series bundles, reviewed by our experts, on our site.

Another great hack is book giveaways, where you can win brand-new books for free. Most book influencers, publishers and literacy charities run giveaways from time to time. IBC runs very generous book giveaways every week on our Instagram page and sometimes on our website, so do keep a lookout for those and enter giveaways for books you think your child would love or grow into.

You can also sign up for newsletters from specialist inclusive bookshops like Round Table Books, Letterbox Library or BookLove to hear about special offers on diverse titles (BookLove also has a Clearance shop on their website).

Also, check out our partner bookshops, which champion inclusive titles, to see if they have any offers.

Bonus tips: if you’re part of a school or library, you might be eligible for discounts through one of our partner schemes. IBC works with leading schools and libraries’ book supplier Peters, offering 20% off inclusive, themed book bundles, so do check it out!

When purchasing inclusive books, you might also consider supporting IBC by buying through our third-party affiliate links to retailers, such as Amazon UK. As a non-profit organisation, your support means we can continue to help schools with limited library resources fill their shelves.

Tip 5. Prioritise quality over quantity

You don’t need hundreds of books to create a brilliantly diverse and inclusive bookshelf. A smaller, carefully curated collection is far more valuable than a large stack of so-so titles.

Focus on books that genuinely reflect your child’s identity and interests and suit their reading level, and titles that introduce them to perspectives different from their own. Buy fewer books, but make them count!

Bonus tip: use the IBC Awards shortlist as a starting point. These are rigorously reviewed and rated books representing the best inclusive children’s titles published each year in the UK. If you’re only buying a few books a year, it’s important to pick wisely.

Building a diverse bookshelf on a budget is absolutely possible. Whether you’re borrowing from the library, buying secondhand, swapping with friends or waiting for the sales, there are so many quick and easy ways to create an inclusive home library without overspending.

And remember: it’s not about having the most books. It’s about having the right ones— books that help your child to expand their understanding of themselves, their peers and the world, and to enjoy reading.

And finally…

Once you’ve started building your diverse bookshelf, make sure you’re choosing high-quality, inclusive titles.

You can check out our expertly reviewed inclusive books for babies right through to children aged 9 by clicking ‘Search books’ and ‘Search booklists’.

All titles are good-quality reads, richly diverse in format, topics and representation.

Ready to get started? Explore the IBC website to find inspiring, inclusive book additions for your budget-friendly bookshelf. Happy reading!

Fabia Turner is Head of Content at IBC and the Founder of the Jericho Prize for Children’s Writing. She is also a former primary teacher and educational book editor with a love of children's literature.