Best Children's Bookstores In Metro Detroit
If you're looking for bookstores that have a great selection of children's books, look no further. Here's a list of the best in the metro Detroit area.
Nicola's Books
Westgate Shopping Center
2513 Jackson Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 662-0600
www.nicolasbooks.comNicola's sells books for both adults and children, but caters to children more than most bookstores in that it has a Kids Book Club, story time and preschool story time. It's located in the Westgate Shopping Center (close to the University of Michigan's campus) and parking is available on site. Every Saturday at 11 a.m. is when story time occurs. It can be found in the children's department and is recommended for ages seven and under. Preschool story time, with librarian Ieva Bates, is usually on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Check the calendar on Nicola's website for more children's book-related events, as there are many ongoing throughout the month.
Westgate Shopping Center
2513 Jackson Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 662-0600
www.nicolasbooks.comNicola's sells books for both adults and children, but caters to children more than most bookstores in that it has a Kids Book Club, story time and preschool story time. It's located in the Westgate Shopping Center (close to the University of Michigan's campus) and parking is available on site. Every Saturday at 11 a.m. is when story time occurs. It can be found in the children's department and is recommended for ages seven and under. Preschool story time, with librarian Ieva Bates, is usually on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Check the calendar on Nicola's website for more children's book-related events, as there are many ongoing throughout the month.
Book Beat
26010 Greenfield Road
Oak Park, MI 48237
(248) 968-1190
www.thebookbeat.com/shop/index.phpThe Book Beat is known for its selection of young adult and children's books, and can be found in Oak Park at the intersection of Greenfield and Lincoln Roads. It was started in 1982 and is owned by the husband/wife team of Colleen Kammer and Carey Loren. Colleen is also known for giving personalized recommendations, whether it be for a kids book or a book club novel, and this personal touch keeps customers coming back to Book Beat for their books. The store also offers online ordering if you're unable to get there in person or perhaps live out of the state.
26010 Greenfield Road
Oak Park, MI 48237
(248) 968-1190
www.thebookbeat.com/shop/index.phpThe Book Beat is known for its selection of young adult and children's books, and can be found in Oak Park at the intersection of Greenfield and Lincoln Roads. It was started in 1982 and is owned by the husband/wife team of Colleen Kammer and Carey Loren. Colleen is also known for giving personalized recommendations, whether it be for a kids book or a book club novel, and this personal touch keeps customers coming back to Book Beat for their books. The store also offers online ordering if you're unable to get there in person or perhaps live out of the state.
Magina Books
2311 Fort St.
Lincoln Park, MI 48146
(313) 928-7177
www.maginabooks.comPronounced "Ma-jeen-a," Magina Books was built in 1948, and Steve Magina has been running the store since 1986. The shop is over 50,000 square feet and has over 50,000 books for sale, with 90 percent of its merchandise being used and rare books. Magina is located about 20 minutes from Detroit and two minutes from I-75, and is closed on Sundays and most holidays. Call ahead if you're unsure if Magina will be open or not on a particular day. You can also shop its store online – just click on any of the "children's books" category on the website.
2311 Fort St.
Lincoln Park, MI 48146
(313) 928-7177
www.maginabooks.comPronounced "Ma-jeen-a," Magina Books was built in 1948, and Steve Magina has been running the store since 1986. The shop is over 50,000 square feet and has over 50,000 books for sale, with 90 percent of its merchandise being used and rare books. Magina is located about 20 minutes from Detroit and two minutes from I-75, and is closed on Sundays and most holidays. Call ahead if you're unsure if Magina will be open or not on a particular day. You can also shop its store online – just click on any of the "children's books" category on the website.
Related: Best Specialty Bookstores In Detroit
The Next Chapter Bookstore and Bistro
141 E. Main St.
Northville, MI 48167
(248) 465-0010
www.readnextchapterbooks.comThe Next Chapter Bookstore is located in downtown Northville and has a view of the main square. It's a delicious bistro as well as a bookstore, and has a large selection of children's books for sale. There's also a "sitting area" for kids, baby board books, young adult novels and books for beginning readers. The bookstore has a downstairs seating area that can be used for book clubs, baby showers or other gatherings, as well. Make sure to try its coffee and dessert crepes, as the store is known for those and all kinds of other desserts in the bistro.
141 E. Main St.
Northville, MI 48167
(248) 465-0010
www.readnextchapterbooks.comThe Next Chapter Bookstore is located in downtown Northville and has a view of the main square. It's a delicious bistro as well as a bookstore, and has a large selection of children's books for sale. There's also a "sitting area" for kids, baby board books, young adult novels and books for beginning readers. The bookstore has a downstairs seating area that can be used for book clubs, baby showers or other gatherings, as well. Make sure to try its coffee and dessert crepes, as the store is known for those and all kinds of other desserts in the bistro.
The Berkley Book Corner
2680 Coolidge Highway
Berkley, MI 48072
(248) 439-0503
www.berkleybookcorner.comIf you're looking for more reasonably priced children's books, check out The Berkley Book Corner, which sells new and "gently used" books. It has a young adult and children's section, and has over 10,000 books in the store at any given time. Make sure to sign up for the loyalty program, too, where you get one free used book for every five books that you purchase. You can also always call or email the store to see if a specific children's book is in stock before visiting.
2680 Coolidge Highway
Berkley, MI 48072
(248) 439-0503
www.berkleybookcorner.comIf you're looking for more reasonably priced children's books, check out The Berkley Book Corner, which sells new and "gently used" books. It has a young adult and children's section, and has over 10,000 books in the store at any given time. Make sure to sign up for the loyalty program, too, where you get one free used book for every five books that you purchase. You can also always call or email the store to see if a specific children's book is in stock before visiting.
Liz Parker is a freelance writer and a University of Michigan graduate with a degree in Creative Writing and Literature. Her work can be found at Examiner.com and yesnofilms.com.
