Following recent comments, widely covered in the media, from an Australian independent bookseller, we asked the Your Kid’s Next Read community to recommend their favourite Australian bookshops for children’s literature.
The places they go for a wide range of diverse and interesting stories of all kinds, advice and a warm welcome.
Well, we were INUNDATED with glowing responses and reviews, and have put them into a list for easy reference (and so you can plan your Bookshops Of Australia roadtrip).
And yes, we’ve included some New Zealand and online favourites as well.
Click the bookshop name for their website, Instagram or Facebook page, and address details. Enjoy!
YKNR FAVE BOOKSHOPS: VICTORIA
The Little Bookroom, Fitzroy. “The oldest children’s bookshop in the southern hemisphere, I believe. Family run and brimming with all kinds of books. During the long covid lockdowns in Melbourne we could buy a book online in the morning and they would deliver it to you by bicycle that afternoon.” – Georgina
Squishy Minnie, Kyneton. “… is amazing!! Really progressive and eclectic range of books for kids and teens.” – Renee
The Younger Sun Bookshop, Yarraville.
The Kid’s Bookshop, Mitcham. “They’re wonderful!” – Kirsten
Bookish, Bendigo. “Wonderful, friendly, knowledgeable staff.” – Carol
Farrells Bookshop, Mornington. “Staff that I absolutely adore and such a huge range of Kidlit!” – Danielle
Collins Booksellers, Croydon. “An extensive and diverse children’s section which is very popular. I love seeing kids searching for books there!” – Heather
Avenue Bookstore, Elsternwick. “Next level awesome!” – Claire
Jeffreys Books, Malvern. “So supportive of local authors, always friendly and helpful staff, and have an amazing collection of kids books.” – Romi
Great Escape Books, Airey’s Inlet. “One of our faves! Nicole and the team are brilliant.” – Kylie
The Leaf Bookshop, Ashburton. “Delightful and always well stocked.” – Madeline
Turn the Page, Cowes. “A number of times I’ve phoned them to help me organise birthday presents for my nephews for them to pick up from the store after school. They’re amazing.” – Melissa
Beaumaris Books, Beaumaris. “…is great! That’s where I get a lot of stuff.” – George
Reader’s Emporium, Traralgon. “Very supportive of authors and readers.” – Susan
SchoolWorks, Bairnsdale. “Also an educational bookshop [and] has a great range of childrens books and local author books.” – Charlotte
Pictures and Pages, Coburg. “You rock!” – Lauren
North Melbourne Books, North Melbourne. “A small local bookstore with good selection.” – Zannatul
Enchanted Years, Williamstown. “[It’s] a gorgeous shop! Laura is fabulous…” – Michelle
The Bookshop at Queenscliff, Queenscliff.
Escape Hatch Books, Kew. “We discovered Fran and this gem of a store while visiting the school uniform shop across the road years and years ago and she has always been wonderful and welcoming and has worked to make the bookshop about community, as much as books and reading, which is what so many of the wonderful bookshops on this list do everyday.” – Kylie
Torquay Books, Wadawurrung. “Lynne and her team are knowledgeable, friendly and helpful!” – Fran
Collins Books, Shepparton. “Not my local bookshop, but it is my Dad’s and they are also very helpful when I visit with him and my kids.” – Sally
Edgars Books & News, Wangaratta. “Is wonderful! What a great travel itinerary visiting each of these stores would make.” – Lisbeth
Readings, Melbourne. “My forever bookshop. A wonderful selection of kids books at all their stores in Melbourne and a dedicated kids bookshop in Carlton!” – Vanessa
Cook & Young Booksellers, Southland. “It’s my local and they have so many graphic novels, it’s pretty great!” – Anna
YKNR FAVE BOOKSHOPS: QUEENSLAND
The Mad Hatters Bookshop, Manly. “A tiny but very well stocked store with super knowledgeable and friendly staff.” – Erin
Where The Wild Things Are Bookshop, West End. “A kids’ book shop with an amazing and diverse range of books and lovely, widely read booksellers.” – Sarah
Riverbend Books, Bulimba. “Riverbend and its staff have given me so many years of wonderful children’s literature events and recommendations as well as a space in Bulimba to escape the hustle and bustle, browse the shelves and chat with other lovers of childrens and YA literature. A true treasure in the heart of Brisbane!” – Megan
Bright And Early Books, Ascot. “Owner Cholm is an experienced educator and his bookstore has a great mix of adult, children’s and YA titles along with watercolour classes and literacy classes for a young audience.” – Murray
Book Face, Pacific Fair, Gold Coast.
Under the Greenwood Tree, Tamborine North. “Tiny, delightful, and full of every thing.” – Sarah
The Junction Bookstore, Noosa Heads.
Berkelouw Books, Eumundi. “Love their variety of children’s books (and grown up books).” – Michelle
The Little Book Nook, Palmwoods.
Quick Brown Fox Bookshop, Grange. “Absolutely delightful!” – Sharolyn
Dymock’s, Indooroopilly. “I know it’s a chain, but the staff are incredibly kind and helpful whenever my daughter and I go in.” – Rachel
Scrumptious Reads, Paddington.
Books@Stones, Stones Corner. “Karen and Michael are so welcoming.” – Louise
The Book Tree, Toowoomba. “It’s lovely.” – Sarah
Shelf Lovers, Wooloowin. “A fully inclusive and representative bookshop for everybody. They run some awesome events, too – drag storytime for one!” – Lucy
Pulp Fiction Books, Queen St Mall, Brisbane.
Under Blue Skies Bookshop, Mareeba. “A fab little bookstore in our town.” – Theresa
YKNR FAVE BOOKSHOPS: NSW
Better Read Than Dead, Newtown.
Gleebooks, Glebe. “A fabulous selection and a brilliant Children’s Book specialist who can recommend books for your child, tween or teen.” – Kate
Abbey’s Bookshop, Sydney. “Always terrific.” – Belinda
The Constant Reader, Crows Nest. “A fabulous bookshop and now has a separate kids bookshop next door!” – Alison
Big Sky Stories and One More Page Book Emporium, Broken Hill. “Living remotely we would be lost without the lovely Jane who recommends and orders in all sorts of lovely books for us and then even posts them out when we won’t be in town again soon.” – Michelle
Books on East, Narrandera. “It’s fantastic.” – Caroline
Humphreys, Manly. “A terrific kids’ section and their bookseller Wendy is brilliant.” – Pip
The Turning Page, Springwood NSW.
Novella Fine Books, Cards and Gifts, Wahroonga.
Book Face, Erina. “Always beautiful, excited and helpful.” – Fiona
The Bookshop Bowral, Bowral. “[One] of my favourites.” – Stephanie
Collins Booksellers, Thirroul.
YKNR FAVE BOOKSHOPS: NT
Red Kangaroo Books, Alice Springs. “The place to go in Mparntwe/Alice Springs. They are always happy to order books in and are great supporters of Territory and Australian writers.” – Deborah
The Bookshop Darwin, Darwin. “Large selection of children’s novels and picture books including new releases and classics. Features local authors.” – Veronica
YKNR FAVE BOOKSHOPS: ACT
The Book Cow, Kingston. “Fabulous collection of kids books and super supportive of local authors.” – Stephanie
YKNR FAVE BOOKSHOPS: TAS
Petrarch’s Bookshop, Launceston. “Amazing.” – Kate
Fullers Bookshop, Hobart. “Love them!!!” – Jessie
Dymocks, Hobart. “They are incredible and always go above and beyond.” – Kate
Cracked and Spineless New and Used Books, Hobart. “Wonderful, weird and passionate.” – Kate
YKNR FAVE BOOKSHOPS: SA
Page & Turner, Myer Centre, Adelaide. “We happily spent an hour or so, found a full set of a new series – Warriors – here, and if we hadn’t had people waiting for us we would have spent longer there!” – Katy
Shakespeare’s Bookshop, Blackwood. “Well-stocked with amazing kids (and non-kids) books from diverse authors, including local talent.” – Hannah
Imprints Booksellers, Adelaide. “Great for older readers.” – Jane
Dillions Norwood Bookshop, Norwood.
Pegi Williams Book Shop, Adelaide.
Greenlight Comics, Adelaide. “Amazing for graphic novels.” – Ruth
Mostly Books, Mitcham Square. “They’re always nice to me and have a good range of books (also will order if they don’t have the thing). They are openly queer/trans affirming at times and have some cool older books like Angela Davis books.” – Agata
YKNR FAVE BOOKSHOPS: WA
Rabble Books & Games, Maylands. “They also have an online shop. They have the most diverse range and are always happy to talk books and games that might be suitable for your needs.” – Aileen
Paper Bird Children’s Books and Arts, Fremantle. “Fabulous place and so much more than a bookshop. It even has its own Narnia!” – Jan
Beaufort Street Books, Mount Lawley. “Runs amazing kids and youth book clubs, story time and has wonderful employees.” – Melissa
Dymock’s, Subiaco. “[There’s} a Pride wall, a local authors display, a First Nations wall, and more. There’s lots of love in the store.” – Shannon
YKNR FAVE BOOKSHOPS: NEW ZEALAND
Scorpio Books, Christchurch. “A great one (especially because they have a dedicated children’s shop across the alley from the grownup bookshop)! I found some podcast recs in there, as well as receiving some employee recs and a teacher discount (what a lovely bonus?!)” – Shelley
Unity Books, Wellington. “They have a buyer just for their kids’ book selection.” – Averil
Little Unity Books, Auckland. “Amazing staff, cute store in a cool street downtown.” – Tania
Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookstore, Ponsonby, Auckland
The Children’s Bookshop, Wellington. “Amazing.” – Louise
YKNR FAVE BOOKSHOPS: ONLINE
Bin Chicken Books. “An incredible source for preloved books and the owner constantly champions own voice’s literature. She’s bloody excellent at recommendations too.” – Haylee
Amplify Bookstore. “All about diversity and POC representation and authors.” – Lisa
Plus, a shout-out for public libraries – if you haven’t been to yours for a while, the community recommends a visit.
Are you new here? Welcome to my blog! I’m Allison Tait, aka A.L. Tait, and I’m the author of middle-grade series, The Mapmaker Chronicles, The Ateban Cipher, and the Maven & Reeve Mysteries. My latest novel THE FIRST SUMMER OF CALLIE McGEE is out now. You can find out more about me here, and more about my books here.
If you’re looking for book recommendations for young readers, join the Your Kid’s Next Read Facebook community, tune in to the Your Kid’s Next Read podcast and sign up for the Your Kid’s Next Read newsletter.
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