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Home » Reading Ideas » Reading Fun » Create a Book Ambulance for Library Book Care

Create a Book Ambulance for Library Book Care

June 11, 2018 • 18 Comments

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Teach kids how to care for books with this book ambulance idea.

911, a favorite children’s book just suffered a torn page! You are in need of some library book care. What to do?  Place it in the book ambulance so that it can be taken to the book hospital for repair!

As a classroom teacher, I found many of our classroom library books suffered from wear and tear.  As a parent, I’m discovering the same thing at home.  When these books were just placed back on the shelf, they were destined to further deterioration.  So, I created a book ambulance.

Teach kids how to care for books with this book ambulance idea.

 

When a child finds a book in need of repair, they place it in the book ambulance.  Then, when time permits, I take the books to the book hospital (usually my kitchen table) to be repaired.

 

create a book ambulance for books that need repair.

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

Utilizing the book ambulance helps to teach kids to respect books.  Classroom teachers can keep track of the number of books that are put in the ambulance each week to compare how well the books are being cared for in the room.  Children learn that books aren’t just things, but rather important gifts that should be treasured.

Making your own book ambulance is super simple.  You will need the following materials:

  • 1 white, red, or yellow rectangle basket or InterDesign Closet Storage Organizer Shoe Box, for Flats, Athletic Shoes, Sandals – Clearclear container
  • ambulance icon printable (download for free below)
  • clear packing tape
  1. Print the free printable and cut along the dark lines. Laminate for durability with your packing tape.
  2. Tape your book ambulance signs to the sides of the basket.
  3. Place your book ambulance in the classroom library.

fixing damaged books

 

When it is time for the ambulance to go to the hospital, you will need a few more things.

And what “medical” supplies does your book doctor bag need to include?  Here are the tools that I’ve found to be the most helpful.

  • Duck Brand Clear Packing Tape –  I’ve found that this brand works the best for repairing long tears on pages and for reinforcing the binding of a book.
  • Transparent Tape- 3/4″ works well for small tears on pages.  Place tape on both sides of the tear for extra durability.
  • Long Handle Stapler–  This can be a pricey tool, but works very well for pages that have come loose in staple bound books.  You generally find that the books ordered from book clubs like Scholastic or Troll have staple binding.
  • Eraser-  Takes stray pencil marks that little ones may have made on pages.
  • Drying Rack–  This won’t fit in your book doctor bag, but it sure does come in handy when a book gets wet.  Fan the pages out over the drying rack and allow to air dry.

You now are equipped for those library book care emergencies.  Having a few tools on hand can rescue many of your beloved books from retirement.  Of course, we know that some book accidents are beyond repair.  Never fear, in a future post, we will look at other uses for books that are beyond fixing.  Happy book doctoring!

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*This post first appeared on Growing Book by Book on 1/2/12.

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18 Comments Filed Under: All categories, Reading Fun Tagged With: classroom library, taking care of books

About Jodie Rodriguez

Jodie Rodriguez is a mom of two young boys and an early childhood/elementary educator with over 20 years of experience. Jodie's passion is helping parents, teachers, librarians and anyone else interested in nurturing and reaching ALL of our youngest growing readers.

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  1. Gail says

    June 22, 2022 at 12:20 pm

    I enjoyed this article. When I was still teaching I spent so much time repairing books. It never occurred to me to keep a weekly tally, but I think that is a great idea. As a former youth leader, seems like a great service project for kids.

    Reply
  2. SUZIE RODLAND says

    June 28, 2017 at 8:16 am

    INSTEAD OF CLEAR PACKING TAPE FOR FIXING BOOKS, i USE CLEAR CONTACT BRAND ADHESIVE PAPER. IT STAYS FLEXIBLE FOR MANY YEARS. i OFTEN COVER THE ENTIRE COVER OF AN OLD, WORN BOOK OR A NEW PAPERBACK I THINK WILL SEE HARD USE.

    Reply
  3. Jen Fischer says

    February 3, 2013 at 6:07 pm

    This is so great. I absolutely love it. I would love to include it in a post I am putting together for this Tuesday. Hope that is okay.

    Reply
    • Jodie says

      February 4, 2013 at 8:19 am

      That would be great, thank you!

      Reply
  4. eexpeditions says

    January 11, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Very creative. Love it! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Beth says

    January 10, 2012 at 6:42 am

    Super cute idea!! I wanted to invite you to link up at TGIF kid oriented Linky Party – http://livinglifeintentionally.blogspot.com/search/label/Linkey%20Parties -I know my readers would love it too!
    Beth =-)

    Reply
  6. Carla @ Whole Child Creative Curriculum says

    January 4, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    This is wonderful! It could certainly save a few books around here! I love how it ties into an Emergency theme too! Thanks so much for linking up at Teach Me Tuesday!!

    Reply
  7. Veronica says

    January 3, 2012 at 3:04 pm

    Cool idea. coming from Teach me Tuesday. My books are always in need of a ambulance. Thanks to my 2 year old loving them to death.

    Veronica @ http://watchmeplaynlearn.blogspot.com/2012/01/water-beads.html

    Reply
  8. TheBargainBabe says

    January 2, 2012 at 10:39 pm

    So cute. I love how you used the red bath sponges too. 🙂 (Saw you at the Imagination Tree linky)

    Reply
  9. Julie@teachinggoodeaters says

    January 2, 2012 at 9:09 pm

    What a great idea! My kids always show me damaged books at times when I’m not ready to deal with them, and sure enough, they get put back on the shelf where they suffer even further damage. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  10. katie says

    January 2, 2012 at 8:12 pm

    This is such an AWESOME idea! I’m going to pin it….what a great way to teach responsibility in a fun way (and save a book or two!). Thanks so much for linking up at Thrifty Thursday! I hope you had an amazing new year!

    Reply
  11. Tracy says

    January 2, 2012 at 12:47 pm

    Love this post and idea! One it is a great organization tool, second I love the way it reinforces respect for books.

    Reply
    • growingbookbybook says

      January 3, 2012 at 6:56 pm

      Thanks Tracy!

      Reply
  12. Deb says

    January 2, 2012 at 12:01 pm

    Great idea….after teaching K kids for 32 years, I have a number of classroom books that need to see the doctor on a regular basis! 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  13. Patricia Tilton says

    January 2, 2012 at 9:05 am

    Very creative idea. First time I’ve seen this idea.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Building a Library on a Tight Budget says:
    September 10, 2012 at 6:04 am

    […] they usually have a staple binding meaning they tend to fall apart sooner.  I highly recommend reinforcing the book spine with clear packing tape before your first read.  An added perk for ordering through these flyers […]

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  2. Teaching Your Kids How to Treat Books - I Can Teach My Child! says:
    September 3, 2012 at 7:45 am

    […] are, books will tear.  Have a special spot for books that have been damaged.  I like to utilize a book ambulance.  Then, when you have time, the books can travel to the book hospital to be repaired.  Again, […]

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  3. How to Build a Home Library On a Budget - Playdough To Plato | Playdough To Plato says:
    June 28, 2012 at 8:47 am

    […] new, they usually have a staple binding meaning they tend to fall apart sooner. I highly recommend reinforcing the book spine with clear packing tape before your first […]

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