Sure you are explaining it well enough. What is the trigger you are using for the database search filter on the results page?
You would want to make the links mimic the trigger and form values used. Most likely the resulting link will look something like: pagename.php?button_x=1&catfield=Childrens Books
that is assuming your search button was originally named "button" and was an image button and that your trigger refers to $_GET['button_x'] and that your original form element was named catfield and was in a form method="get" form.