Buckinghamshire tops chart for pre-loved children’s books
Buckinghamshire has recorded the highest levels of second-hand children’s book purchases in the UK, according to new data released by Oxfam today (5 March) for World Book Day.
Analysis of the charity’s sales figures over the last year shows those in Buckinghamshire, along with Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, bought more pre-loved children’s titles than anywhere else in the country, reflecting strong demand for classic stories passed between generations.
Nationally, Oxfam has found that century-old titles including Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, The Wind in the Willows and The Secret Garden remain among the most frequently purchased children’s books. They sit alongside modern favourites such as the Harry Potter books, suggesting families are blending nostalgia with contemporary reads - and that when it comes to children’s books, many classics endure the test of time and are being passed on and treasured through generations.
Since the beginning of the year, Oxfam has sold more than a million pre-loved books online and across its network of 500 shops, raising around £3 million to support its work fighting poverty. The charity has seen a 10% increase in second-hand book sales since 2023, reflecting growing interest in affordable and sustainable reading choices, and continued connection with physical books in spite of digital distractions and the availability of e-readers.
Ian Falkingham, books expert at Oxfam, said: “World Book Day is all about celebrating the power of stories and I absolutely believe the books you read as a child stay with you for life.
“There’s something quite timeless about the fact that some of our most popular ‘reloved’ children’s books are classics like The Wind in the Willows. It underlines that a great story doesn’t end with its first reader. It’s passed on, treasured again, and the money raised through the generosity of Oxfam’s donors and the hard work of our volunteers goes to helping communities around the world in the struggle for equality and to overcome poverty. That's a pretty good story in itself.”
To donate a book or find a new favourite second-hand, Oxfam’s bookshops can be found at www.oxfam.org.uk/shops/.