I love all my old and rare antique children's books. They inspire, teach, and help me dream. They are treasures long forgotten. Since we (humans) are born with no knowledge of anything we have to start all over from the beginning. These old treasures have forgotten lessons that are inherent to all mankind no matter what day and age it is. Childhood is a magical time. Reconnect and have fun exploring. Start with www.deja.com. This is a fun site. Anything you remember from your childhood can be asked. A book afficionado will write you back with all kinds of information leading you into directions of further exploration of books and topics. If you want to find a book you have heard about they can help locate one for you.
Auctions at eBay is a wonderful place to find some of the most wonderful old books for children. I have bought many through eBay at a fraction of the cost than what you can buy the same book anywhere else. On the search at eBay start with the category antiquarian books. Not children's books. Type keywords, such as, fairy tales, folk tales, Howard Pyle, Kate Greenaway, Arthur Rackham, Randolf Caldacott, Victorian 1890, 1920's and have you seen the Roosevelt Bears books? So many more, but begin here. I REALLY feel that the general public is oblivious to what wonderful treasures are out there!. So you HAVE to check it out!!!! You will love the art and the writing!!!!
My next greatest buying adventure has been the estate sales. WOW! I have found books that I paid $1.00 or $2.00, that in turn sell for $100. + on eBay and yet if you tried to purchase the same book else where it would cost you $200+. Try it, you have nothing to loose but the greatest experience ever! Look at the copyright dates for the publication. Enjoy the book, take notes and then sell it on eBay if you like. I have sold some but kept those that I truly loved!
My favorite adventure of all was at the various auctions I have attended. If you go on line and type in auctions in your area you can view what the different auctions will be listing. I have bought some of the GREATEST books for nearly nothing. Most people do not know the value of these old treasures. Be on the look out for folk tales. Anything earlier than 1925 is public domain. Try retelling an old story or create an e-Book. Explore, there is an amazing world of taking the old and making it new again!