So, my sister is having her baby around the same time as Val, in April! I'm planning her shower and working on the invitations as we speak.

Instead of baby shower cards, my family thought it would be fun and liked the idea of having people sign their favorite children's book. I've seen it done before, and thought it was a great idea! Besides which, my sister is an educator and would love the educational spin.

While googling a polite way to word that in the card, I stumbled across forums like thebump.com with people requesting the same thing and was SHOCKED. It's like bringing up wanting to breed on this forum it's so controversial! I never even thought of it as something that might be considered rude, but apparently there are a lot of people out there who think it's a greedy, tacky idea!

Just curious what other people thought. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and it won't change my mind because my whole family loves it and I know my sister will, but I just couldn't believe the controversy! Shows how naive I am sometimes!

FWIW- this is the wording I decided on: "In lieu of a card, please bring your favorite children's book to add to Baby Hutchins's library. Don't forget to write a note on the inside cover so that Crystal, Ben & Baby Hutchins can always remember you when they read it!"

Anyway... interested to hear what you all have to say!

I think that is an awesome idea! My cousin did it for her baby shower. In all honesty, I would have loved it for mine. Buying new books can be expensive. Books were/are a huge part of my son's childhood. I would buy books from thrift stores, etc just to get them cheap. I guess I just can't understand the controversy. The cards eventually get thrown away, the books last forever.

on a side note....check this book out. It's made to order. The creator is a friend of mine and these books are awesome.

http://www.myheritagebook.com/

I think it's a fantastic idea, I know I'd love it if it were me.

Geez I'd think a book would be more common sense then a thrown away card. Greed

Greed would be asking for a check for future college expenses, in the year 2030.

I really like the idea! I hate cards that just get thrown away. Such a waste.

There are just too many people who don't value education and books anymore. I think its a WONDERFUL idea, and I'm going to a shower in a couple weeks and they are doing the same thing.

I'm turning into the crazy book lady myself. That's almost the only thing I will give to the little ones in my life, because those were the gifts I valued more than anything growing up. My grandmother always gave us mountains of books, and we are all huge bookworms now.

Love the idea!

I think that's a great idea!

I'm not sure if its just in Tennessee, but Dolly Parton has a book program for children. I signed Kayla up when she was a year old, and she gets a free book once a month still she is 5. the books are great, and she loves them. Also has been great for me because books last forever!.

I think it's a lovely idea.

As a librarian, I have always thought it would be an awesome thing to do. Of course, books are expensive, so you might say that it is optional or suggest a paperback (they are much cheaper). Just a thought.

Last Summer I was invited to a shower where this was requested. Your wording is wonderful, by the way, Tori! I thought it was a great idea and wondered why someone had not thought of it before. This will be extra-special if the books come from only family or close friends. The recipient of my book this Summer was a girl who used to babysit for my own kids when she was a teenager. I don't know that my inscription in that book will be especially meaningful in the future since I may not be close to her baby as he grows up. Regardless, he got a book that was not read once and thrown away!

Just thought I'd say in response to the paperback comment that hardcover books are probably the best option for young kids. My sister has 2 little girls and she hates paperbacks because they don't stand up as well to kid's handling. None of her paperbacks survive yet she still has all her hardcovers. Just something to keep in mind, even if a children's hardcover is a tad more expensive it may last longer and be the more worthwhile option.

I went to ross and gordmans and tjmax and such for kids books, sooooo cheap and still new.

I love the idea!

I love the idea, I know I still have all my books from when I was a kid and it is so interesting to see which ones I read the most becasue they are more worn, and some have coloring in them, but it is so nice to look back at.