While online book buying is an easy go-to, there’s nothing better than scanning the aisles of a local bookstore with your kids. Not only is it a chance to share your childhood favorites, but it’s a way to help them select a book or two they love. Local bookstore shopping offers lots of perks, too—highly curated selections (often recommended by the staff), special events, and plenty of lounging spaces that encourage your kids to crack open those newly purchased books. Scroll down for 23 bookstores in NJ catering to kids, and if you’re looking to keep it all local, check out these excellent books by NJ authors, too. (feature photo credit: istock/globalmoments)
Kid-Friendly Bookstores In NJ
North Jersey
Books and Greetings
Hosting loads of children’s author events, this north Jersey book store has lots to keep littles busy. Their online shop has books organized from children’s picture books to young adult options.
217G Livingston Street, Northvale, NJ 07647
Chapter One
This cozy local bookstore is filled with colorful children’s titles, ranging from baby books to preschool and beyond. They also host a children’s story time and book launches to give your kids a unique experience. Sign up for their newsletter to stay up to date on the latest books and events.
84 East Main Street, Mendham, NJ 07945
Here’s The Story Bookstore
For over 30 years, this North Jersey bookstore has been catering to families with kids in Union, NJ. Explore the children’s section with classics and new stories, attend one of their special events, and don’t miss their extensive collection of jigsaw puzzles for all ages.
1043 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, NJ 07083
Indigo
The first US location of the wildly popular Canadian chain, this book and gift spot has one of the most significant children’s sections around. Step into the colorful and bright space that’s like a store within a store, and discover organized aisles by age and reading skill—starting with nursery favorites, chapter book series, and a vast selection of young adult and nonfiction for curious kids. And don’t miss the giant dino who comes to life every few minutes, greeting you at the kids’ section entrance.
The Mall at Short Hills, 1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills, NJ 07078
Little City Books
This bookstore features its own children’s annex, hosting events such as special story time for children aged 0-5. The children’s annex is filled with books, gifts, and fun. There are adult books, book clubs, a writer’s group, and you can even bring your dog along for the fun.
100 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
The Book House
With a name culled from the TV series Twin Peaks, The Book House is sourced by local people, from the shelves to the logo, art, and decor. Ask about their book lists, where they break down some of the best books for kids.
281 Essex Street, Millburn, NJ 07041
15 Morris Avenue, 119A, Long Branch, NJ 07740
The Bookworm
This local independent bookstore in the heart of Bernardsville has been open for almost 40 years. Kids can find new and vintage titles, and if you need a gift, there are unique greeting cards, journals, puzzles, toys, and other special items. If you can’t find something, the staff can always order it for you.
99 Claremont Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924
The Collective Bookstore
At The Collective, it’s all about community with a focus on creating a space that fosters a love of reading. Check out the family storytimes where you can bring your favorite stuffie, have a round of milk and cookies, and spend time in a fort. They also have author signings, book clubs, and interactive workshops.
460 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, NJ 07044
The Little Boho Bookshop
Shop the vibrant, color-coded stacks for kids, pre-teens, and young adults in this charming shop. The owner, who has a background in publishing and always loves to listen to customer recommendations. There’s also a section of used books that’s worth checking out.
164a Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002
Watchung Booksellers
A lively schedule of children’s author visits, storytimes for the 2-and-under crowd, a young readers’ book club, and other fun events, such as a Where’s Waldo scavenger hunt, make this bookstore a popular family favorite. The designated great blue room, with a starry sky in the background, is a place kids can keep coming back to as they grow up, from toddlers listening to a book on a parent’s lap to high schoolers searching for the latest young adult titles in the teen corner. The staff loves recommending books to both eager and reluctant readers, finding picks that fit their interests and style.
54 Fairfield Street, Watchung Plaza, Montclair, NJ 07042
Words Bookstore
In the centrally located children’s section, kids can independently peruse the extensive shelves filled with local authors and hard-to-find titles while you hang back in the adult areas. Besides its colorful kids’ space, Words stands out for its mission to promote learning opportunities for kids of all abilities by offering inclusive events, a comprehensive selection of books for and about special needs, and expert speakers.
179 Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Central Jersey
Booktowne
Surf, sun, and read at this downtown Jersey Shore book store. They have books, author events, merchandise, and even a book subscription service. Find staff picks, children’s best sellers, and more at this Central Jersey bookstore.
171 Main Street, Manasquan, NJ 08736
River Road Books
This charming storefront, featuring a young readers’ area, is a popular pit stop after a day at the beach or on a rainy day. Early readers, middle readers, and tweens will find familiar authors and illustrated classics, along with hand-picked new titles (the staff reads them all before selecting), and plenty of clerks are on hand to recommend books based on interests and reading levels.
759 River Road, Fair Haven, NJ 07704
The Bear and The Books
This dedicated children’s bookstore in Hopewell, New Jersey, has been around since 2013. They have a great mix of books for kids and young adults, ranging from picture books to nonfiction titles. Don’t forget to check out Bear Mail Books—a book of the month club for kids, where the owner picks books based on your child’s interests and sends them via mail.
West Broad Street, Hopewell, NJ 08525
The Little Point Bookshop
This adorable downtown Point Pleasant Beach bookshop has a coffee shop, rows of books, and even a piano that you can play a tune on. There are a variety of guest speakers, story time opportunities, and kid-friendly events. Be on the lookout for their book recommendations and cozy up to read a few in their quaint shop.
618 Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Thunder Road Books
With a nod to a Bruce Springsteen classic tune and views of Spring Lake, this bookshop is worth a visit. You can pre-order books, join events, join a book group, or sit in a comfy chair and read. There is a kids’ section with plenty of options, and be sure to check out their story time and activities.
1130 3rd Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ 07762
South Jersey
Barrier Island Books and Arts
This new and used book shop has two locations in Stone Harbor and one in West Cape May. The shop specializes in fiction, nonfiction, nature, birding, history, classics, and more. If you are looking for book-related gifts, they have stickers, bookmarks, and journals.
Locations in Stone Harbor and West Cape May
Book Nook
Open during the summer season, this family-owned boardwalk spot offers a quick break from the beach. Browse their selection of coloring books, activity books, and shelves of books for kids and young adults, as well as local authors.
3700 Boardwalk, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
Inkwood Books
Opened by a former attorney who wanted to save the town’s only bookstore, Inkwood’s inviting style has offerings for all ages. Kids can easily shop for the latest titles (they highlight bestsellers from independent booksellers across the country), and there’s a wide selection of picture books, school-age chapter books, and young adult novels. Inkwood also collaborates with local schools to promote reading and hosts regular visits from children’s and YA authors in-store.
106 King’s Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ 08033
Ren’s Coffee House and Books
Grab a cup of Joe and stick around for so much more. This shop offers handcrafted drinks and cookies, and the bookstore is stocked with new and used books, as well as book-related gifts and titles by local authors and children’s authors. Look out for items made by local artists as well. Stay awhile and play a board game, let the kids enjoy story time, participate in an open mic event, or sit and read.
26 North Black Horse Pike, Blackwood, NJ 08012
Words Matter Bookstore
This bookshop hosts fun events and activities, such as Bookish BINGO, which features quarterly drawings. There is also a book club for ages 10-12 called The Bookworms Book Club, and the 5-Star Book Club is designed for ages 13-15. Be sure to check their website—they have a listing of the top kids’ books on the site.
52 South Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071
Want the inside scoop? Sign up for the NJMOM bi-weekly newsletter to get the lowdown on everything for your family in NJ (think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet for NJ Moms). And don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured.
