When I was young I can remember my mom trying to put me down for a nap. the only way she could keep me in my bed, quiet was to put a book in my hand. I hope your kids have the same love of reading engrained in them that I do.
Those first books were Dr. Seuss. TRIVIA: Can you name the only best selling book in the world that has only 50 words in it? Green Eggs and Ham! Dr. Seuss wrote it on a bet. He said he could write a best selling kids book that would be easy and fun to read and it would only have 50 words. Seuss was also a brilliant artist as well. His fantastic imagination created Horton, The Cat in the Hat, Marvin Kaye and others whose images jumped from hand to paper.
Children's books have always been collectable. They are one of the absolute best collectables on the market. They are plentiful, inexpensive, educational and there are thousands of different types, kinds, authors, styles or stories to collect. From Seuss to Wizard of Oz, to pop up books, to Big Little books to Golden Books, and all designed to keep your kids happy?
These books do not have to be incredibly old to be valuable. The first Harry Potter which is only about 20 years old can sell in the thousands. Green Eggs and Ham 1st edition with Dust Jacket can fetch $1000.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=Green+eggs+and+ham+1st&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XGreen+eggs+and+ham+1st+dj.TRS0&_nkw=Green+eggs+and+ham+1st+dj&_sacat=0
So, start your kids young. Save the books but let them be enjoyed and read, then you can put them away for a rainy day. And if you need a nap, pull up an old friend, smile, and cuddle up with a Dr.