Why Buying Books No Longer Makes Sense for Most Parents

For years, Indian parents believed that buying books was the only “right” way to raise readers. A full bookshelf was seen as proof of good parenting. But today’s reality is very different.

Children grow faster. Their interests change faster. Homes are smaller. And budgets are tighter.

So the real question is no longer “Should my child read?”

It is — “Should I really be buying every book my child reads?”

The Problem With Buying Children’s Books

Let’s be honest about what actually happens after you buy books.

1. Children Outgrow Books Very Quickly

·       A 3-year-old’s book is useless by age 5

·       Reading levels change every 6–12 months

·       Moral stories become “boring” once read twice

·       Most children’s books are used for a very short time, then never opened again.

2. Books Are Expensive — and Then They Become Clutter

Most Indian homes don’t have extra space to spare. Apartments are small, storage is limited, and cupboards are already packed. Children’s books may look colourful and attractive, but they are bulky and short-lived.

What actually happens after buying them?

·       Books are read once or twice

·       Reading levels change

·       Interests move on

·       Over time, these books:

·       Sit unused on shelves

·       Get torn, bent, or damaged

·       End up in boxes under the bed or on top of cupboards

·       Parents hesitate to throw them away because they cost money, yet they don’t serve any purpose anymore.

And that’s where the second problem begins — cost.

A single children’s book costs around ₹250–₹400. Now consider:

·       2–3 books every month

·       Multiple age groups

·       Several years of reading

·       This results in thousands of rupees spent on books that are no longer useful, while also occupying precious space at home.

Why Renting Books Is the Smarter Choice

Book renting is not about cutting corners.

It’s about matching how children actually read.

1. Read → Read → Repeat

·       Children don’t need ownership.

·       They need new stories at the right time.

·       Renting allows:

·       Fresh books every month

·       Age-appropriate rotation

·       No guilt about unused books

2. No Storage, No Clutter

·       No overflowing shelves

·       No damaged books lying unused

·       No mental load of “what to do with old books”

3. Freedom to Experiment

·       When you buy, you hesitate:

·       “What if my child doesn’t like it?”

·       When you rent:

·       You can try different genres

·       Different authors

·       Different formats

·       If a child doesn’t connect with a book, you simply replace it — no money wasted.

Why Renting Works Especially Well for Kid

·       Re-read only a few favourite books

·       Lose interest suddenly

·       Develop new preferences fast

·       Renting aligns perfectly with this behaviour.

 Buying books assumes reading is permanent. Renting accepts that reading evolves.