So You Wanna Be a Book Supa-Star?
 |
| One of my purchases today! |
I have always wanted to open a children's bookstore, which is what prompted this blog a few years ago. Every time I walk into a children's bookstore, or the children's lit section of a bookstore, I feel that pull to do it again. This summer I have visited two children's book stores in my travels and both are spectacular. So, I bring you a review of two of these great stores. How lucky are you?!
 |
| Located at 6562 E. Quaker Street |
B is for Books is a store located in Orchard Park, NY. It is about 20 minutes from Buffalo and just a hop-skip-and-jump from my parent's house. The store is set up in an old house so it is quite spacious. They have an amazing selection, everything from the soon-to-be classics like I Want My Hat Back, to those silly books that your kids will always want to read...yes, I mean Captain Underpants. My nephews, my mom and I found ourselves spread out amidst the spacious main room, all oogling over our own particular niche of books. There were a lot of cozy spots to sit down and read, which my nephew Nate did. A bonus to this place was they had one room dedicated to books on sale which always helps. They also had a great selection of adult books for those parents who want to look while their children curl up and read. Nate wanted some books based on movies but we compromised with one movie book and one "real" book, as I put it so he chose a Star Wars book and Captain Underpants (told ya!). Josh walked away with the latest in the Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan and I grabbed a copy of Peter and the Starcatchers, a sort of prequel to Peter Pan.
The Curious George Bookstore
 |
| Located right in Harvard Square! |
I was a semi-frequent visitor to the old Curious George store when I used to live in Boston. The new store has a smaller space but as Mas pointed out, it looks like the selection was hand-picked. They have the best of the best of the best. Beautiful picture books, lots of new releases, YA lit, and all the classics. There is a small room that is designed to look like the house Curious George builds in the story Curious George Builds a Home. There are also a couple of small nook-y areas for kids to curl up with a book. There were other things here to grab your interest other than the books. Being a Curious George Store, you can pick up all sorts of CG swag. T-shirts, stuffed animals, books, etc are available. They also feature "Out of Print" shirts, a literary clothing line that I have seen in a few of my favorite bookstores. You can get adult and kids sizes featuring the cover of one of your favorite books. Previously I had only seen the classics as shirts, but Curious George features many kid's titles too, and again, in sizes for everyone!
One of my favorite parts of this store is that they featured books made by the kids at Conservatory Lab Charter School which is located here in Boston. I'll admit I do have a slight bias. I used to work at this school and it is where Mas and I met 5 years ago. The kids in the school often produce books (and sometimes music videos about crayons and snakes) as culminating projects. I was so excited to open up a book and see my former students' names listed as authors! I ended up buying Get Your Blues On!: a book of poems, collages, and blues songs, because those current 4th graders were once my kindergarten students, and Wonder, because it is on my summer reading list. Mas walked away with EXTRAordinary Pets and a book that is going to be a gift so I won't mention it yet.
 |
| I know those authors! |
 |
| One student's artwork... "Keeping it real" |
Comments
Post a Comment