How to Find and Get a Good Price on Translated Children's Books

From Enid Blyton to Terry Deary, children’s books provide nourishment for young minds. Some kids are preoccupied with online gaming. But thankfully many still enjoy a good read!

In an increasingly commercialized marketplace, certain voices get drowned out. Nowhere is this more apparent than with books not written in the English language.

It isn’t an issue for foreign readers of course. Yet if someone in England wants to read something in the original language, or use it for translation purposes, buying the right book can be difficult.

If an author from, say, France wants their tome to become a major motion picture that makes kids and families roll in the aisles, an English translation is usually the way to go.

Hollywood and co regularly take inspiration from non-English speaking sources. But the material is translated for American, British and other audiences.

What about keeping the action on the page? Websites such as Outside In World ensure children receive a well-rounded reading list from across the globe, without a CGI donkey or crass Americanization in sight.

There’s another, equally important factor to consider when checking out children’s books in any language… the price. How do you obtain the right book at the right cost?

Our guide tells you everything you need to know, in order to empower your child’s imagination and save a lot of money in the process…


Go large

Amazon, eBay and the like dominate the market in online sales. You can get everything from an electrical appliance to the new Artemis Fowl.

Here’s where the magic happens. Sites such as Amazon are big beasts. But they’re also pretty good places to start when looking for bargain reads.

Travel anywhere… from your keyboard that is. International books can be found with a few clicks, even though these major players have specific sites per country.

If it’s a best seller you’re after, then using such sites is a no-brainer. Don’t forget to use the search bars to their fullest extent when working out stuff like postage costs.

Those seeking a less commercial experience should consider the following…
 

There’s small as in a local independent bookstore. And then there’s small as in not Amazon or eBay. The Internet is as huge as Thanos’ ego but it’s great for finding tucked-away places to shop.

Children are big business. A lot of things are tailored towards them. So it’s better sometimes to go to specialist retailers who know their Wombles from their Wizards.

Read about all manner of colourful characters that don’t go to Hogwarts or fly around in capes. Or educate and entertain your little ones using a range of languages.

Another bonus… smaller outlets don’t have the muscle or inclination to bombard you with side offers when all you want to do is find the right book to delight your youngster.

They can also be far friendlier when it comes to price. And less anonymous than big companies, where everything is conducted through all-too-familiar yet faceless channels.

You’re really going to such places to avoid commercial pressures. Who needs it when children put enough demands on your time and energy? (You still love them for it though, right?)

The right online environment inevitably leads to the right book. But is it always the cheapest…?


The power of pre-owned

If economy is your primary concern then there’s only one path to go down… pre-owned. Second hand. Used. Whatever you call it, there are bargains galore.

Dog-eared and coffee-stained? Maybe some pre-owned purchases are like that. However charitable outlets such as Oxfam offer an upmarket selection for a fraction of the price.

Also, depending on how old your children are, a brand new book isn’t going to stay that way for long. Only a matter of time before it gets crumpled, dented or lost altogether!

It doesn’t matter what language the book is in. A used volume is affordably priced and well worth considering. Plus in many cases, it’s been handled with care, with the previous owner passing on their love of literature.

So, we’ve looked at the best places to find books. But there’s a certain skill to finding them once you’re there…
 

Narrowing things down

Searching out the book you need can take time. Having said that, there’s a way you can do the legwork that’s both quick and convenient.

How so? By using a comprehensive search mechanism on a tried and tested website. One that lets you look not only by author name but by keywords.

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) also comes in more than handy. Key all that into a destination with an expert knowledge of books and you should be leafing through a purchase in no time…


Summing up

Children deserve the very best from their reading material. Whether it’s an in-depth textbook or an escapist fantasy set in a faraway world, you can get it without breaking the bank.

These rules apply to translated tomes, as with any other. Hopefully, our tips have given you the confidence to get out there and snap up a brilliant book-shaped bargain…

Article provided by usedbooksearch.net March 2021