For quality second-hand children’s books in the UK, the safest bets are the big online used-book sellers, World of Books and AwesomeBooks among them, because they grade condition and post nationwide. Local routes such as school fairs and Facebook Marketplace can be cheaper, but you swap certainty for price.
Below, eight options are compared on the things that matter when the reader is five: how honest the condition description is, whether you can find a particular title, and what delivery adds. Online sellers come first, followed by the in-person routes that tend to work best for picture books and bundles.
1. World of Books
One of the biggest used-book sellers in the UK, with a wide children’s range covering picture books, early readers and middle-grade fiction. Each listing carries a condition grade, which makes comparing copies straightforward. It suits parents who know which title they want and are relaxed about which printing arrives.
Watch out for: cover images that show a different edition from the copy you actually receive.
2. AwesomeBooks
Suits buyers who want cheap used copies, free UK delivery and a bit of good done along the way. Each purchase triggers a book donation through the “You Buy, We Give” scheme, and the company has run campaigns with the Children’s Book Project and Barnardo’s. It holds an “Excellent” Trustpilot rating of 4.7 out of 5 from more than 33,000 reviews.
Watch out for: a specific edition may not be in stock, so check the ISBN and edition, and expect the condition stated on the listing.
3. Amazon (used listings)
Third-party sellers list used copies next to new ones, so you can compare prices for one title on a single page. Handy if you already shop there and want a particular book quickly. Sellers grade condition using a fixed set of categories.
Watch out for: postage is often charged per item by each seller, which can cancel out the saving on a cheap paperback.
4. Bookbarn International
A large used bookseller with an online shop and a sizeable children’s section. Good for older titles and slightly unusual picks you will not find on a supermarket shelf, and it is worth a look when the bigger sellers come up empty.
Watch out for: as with any used stock, availability of a particular title changes daily, so do not count on a book still being there next week.
5. Better World Books
Sells used books and ties its sales to book donations and literacy funding. A sensible choice for families who care where the money ends up, and its children’s range covers the familiar names as well as some older stock.
Watch out for: check where an item ships from on the listing, as this affects how long you will wait.
6. Facebook Marketplace
Local parents clear shelves here, often selling a carrier bag of books for a small sum. It is the quickest way to stock up on picture books if you are happy to collect, and you can see the books before paying.
Watch out for: cash-on-collection sales have no buyer protection, so look through the bag properly before handing over money.
7. Charity shops
BHF, Barnardo’s and Oxfam shops are the classic route. Children’s shelves turn over quickly in busy towns, and you can inspect spines, corners and inside pages on the spot. Prices are low and the money supports the charity.
Watch out for: stock is random, so treat a visit as a browse rather than a search for something specific.
8. School fairs and PTA book stalls
Donated books sold to raise money for the school, usually at very low prices. Great for early readers and for the series every child in the class is currently reading, and you are helping the school at the same time.
Watch out for: they happen a few times a year at most, and condition is mixed, so expect to leave a few tatty ones behind.
What to compare before you buy
- Condition wording: “like new” and “very good” mean different things on different sites, so read each seller’s definitions.
- Delivery: a free-delivery seller often beats a cheaper book with postage added.
- Edition: check the ISBN if your child is collecting a matching set.
- Format: board books for babies, paperbacks for school-age readers who carry books about.
- Returns: know what happens if a book arrives worse than described.
If you know the titles you want, compare two or three online sellers first and order from whichever has the right edition in the best condition. Save the fairs and charity shops for topping up.
