Indestructible baby books in Buenos Aires?

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baby books, books in Spanish, childrens books, family reading

Books are fast becoming luxury items in Argentina. While books in English have always been difficult and expensive to buy, books in Spanish are heading in the same direction. When you have a book-hungry baby, paying upwards of $100 pesos (around US$12) per kids’ title hurts.

Baby G is over the stage of putting books in his mouth but he still loves to dig into books with such enthusiasm that the covers end up detached and the pages falling out after a few weeks of reading. And we’re talking about baby board books here; I haven’t given him a delicate copy of One Hundred Years of Solitude to play with or anything like that.

That’s why I really want to buy G some of these Indestructibles – “water-proof, tear-resistant, and baby-durable” books that – best of all – look and feel like “real” paper books with thin, flexible pages (G knows the difference between bath books and real books and, believe me, he’s not happy reading a bath book unless he’s actually in the bath.)

Any available in Argentina? Any other ideas for the strongest baby books on the market (Spanish or English)?

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Children’s books in English – Where to buy in Buenos Aires

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bookstores Buenos Aires, childrens books, Inglés en Buenos Aires, san telmo, Walrus Books

Our baby is a big reader. OK, so he’s only 10 months old and he doesn’t so much read as eagerly turn the pages of board books, commenting on the pictures in his own distinctive language. But he loves books. I’m lucky we have a good supply of books in English from my husband’s previous work as a teacher in the US. But it’s nice to have something new in English to supplement the Spanish kids titles, and I have never been able to resist a bookstore of any description.

Buenos Aires is a literary city but it is difficult to find any books in English here, especially at a decent price. Kids books in English are not cheap. However, seek and ye shall find….

Chainstores

You will find some classic stories in English at Yenny, the chain bookstore located in practically every mall in the city, but there’s not a whole lot to choose from.

If you want a bigger selection, head to Kel Ediciones, the English-language booksellers who’ve been in operation for over 25 years. Kel has branches in Barrio Norte, Belgrano, Caballito, DOT Baires Shopping etc and provides a comprehensive selection of new picture books, board books, big books and teen reads. You can also buy online. A copy of Meg and Mog – a personal favourite of mine – will set you back $100 pesos (probably a lot more if you read this post is a week’s time…)

Independents

You’ll find a much cosier and more interesting browsing experience at Walrus Books, an excellent English-language bookstore in San Telmo. The under-the-stairs children’s section has a carpet and cushions to sit on, with a selection of soft toys thrown in. Walrus Books has both secondhand and new books, with prices from $60 upwards.

Children’s section at Walrus Books

Also more personable than the chain bookstores, Entre Libros offers new and used books (including kids titles) in English and Spanish. They can also order books for you from abroad. The Santa Fe branch is inside a gallery, down the stairs.

Any other places you can recommend?

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Yenny
http://www.yenny-elateneo.com/index.php

Kel’s Ediciones
Martinez (Main Branch)
Emilio Frers 2228 – (1640) Martinez
http://www.kelediciones.com

Walrus Books
Estados Unidos 617
http://www.walrus-books.com.ar

Entre Libros
Av. Santa Fe 2450 – Local 5 / 7 – Subsuelo
Av. Cabildo 2280 – Loc. 80/81 1º Piso
http://www.entrelibros.com.ar