14 Best Bookshops in Melbourne for Children
We are a reading family so we love nothing more than to hang out in bookshops and libraries.
Here’s a list of my favourite children’s bookshops in Melbourne (in no particular order). Many of these independent bookshops offer pickup and local delivery services as well as online ordering with postage.
Find a Kids Bookstore Melbourne
1. The Little Bookroom, Carlton North
Melbourne boasts the world’s oldest children’s bookstore in The Little Bookroom, which opened in 1960. The Carlton store holds many author events, book launches and weekend and school holiday activities.
- Click and collect is available
- You can purchase books via their online shop which is open 24/7;
- order a picture book Seasonal Subscription with three Australian picture books delivered to your door every three months for $45-$85 including delivery by courier Australia-wide;
- You can place phone orders on (03) 9387 9837 or email orders@littlebookroom.com.au;
They also offer extended free delivery Australia-wide for purchases above $60. For orders under $60 it’s $5.
The Little Bookroom, 759 Nicholson St, Carlton North (03) 9387 9837
2. The Younger Sun, Yarraville
It’s a squashy little kids book shop and not very convenient for pram access – but The Younger Sun benefits from having the Yarraville Pop Up Park at its doorstep, the Sun Theatre across the road for a pre or post-cinema browse as well as knowledgeable and friendly staff. They also hold monthly book clubs for children.
- Open 11am – 4:30pm Monday – Saturday
- order online at The Sun Bookshop
- Email them at info@sunbookshop.com or call them on 03 9689 0661
- Click&Collect Orders can be picked up from The Sun Bookshop (10 Ballarat Street) between 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday
- They are offering free local delivery for online and phone orders on Thursday and Friday,
- Postage for orders further afield is $5 within Victoria or $10 interstate
The Younger Sun, 26 Murray Street Yarraville 03 9689 0661
3. Coventry Bookstore, South Melbourne
A hop skip and a jump from the bustle of South Melbourne Market is the relaxing Coventry Bookstore.
I love the soothing wooden decor and there’s a beautiful space at the back of the store set up as a special children’s area (though it’s a bit tight for prams).
Hop online anytime at Coventry Bookstore or browse in-store 7 days a week.
Coventry Bookstore, 265 Coventry St, South Melbourne (03) 9686 8200
4. Pictures and Pages, Coburg
An independent bookshop located in the heart of Coburg’s shopping strip, specialising in Children’s Picture Books, Junior Readers, Young Adult Fiction and Graphic Novels.
The shopfront is open Tuesdays to Saturdays after an extensive renovation in 2023, with online orders available soon after. Or call the shop where Lien can help you locate the perfect book!
Pictures and Pages, Shop 5, Foley’s Mall, 441 Sydney Road, Coburg, Victoria (03) 9041 6398, hello@picturesandpages.com.au
5. Readings, Hawthorn
An excellent, well-set-out children’s section with the added benefit of kid-friendly cafe adjoining it.
Readings St Kilda is also a favourite thanks to a spacious children’s area and proximity to cafes and the beach.
Readings stores at Carlton, Kids, Doncaster, Hawthorn, Malvern and St Kilda are now open for browsing.
To purchase books you can also order online at Readings. Shipping within Australia is a $9 flat rate; orders $150 and over are free. More detailed information online shopping terms.
Readings Hawthorn, 701 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn (03) 9819 1917
6. Ulysses Bookstore, Sandringham
Often times independent bookstores are so jammed with books that it’s hard to move around (especially with kids). I really like the spacious layout at Ulysses Bookstore, with lots of light and a great children’s section – and one of the few bookstores run solely by a woman! They often have children’s events, especially school holidays.
If you are unable to make it into the store, you can call or place an order online for delivery or click and collect.
Ulysses Bookstore, 1/33-35 Melrose St, Sandringham (03) 9521 8020
7. Avenue Bookstore, Albert Park, Elsternwick & Richmond
This store has a nicely laid out children’s section – though it is up a set of small stairs.
There’s a little table/chair combo in the corner, but the best thing of all is their dedicated children’s literature specialist.
All Avenue Bookstores are open 9am – 6pm Monday – Sunday, or you can order online or over the phone for home delivery and Australia Post, as well as Click & Collect orders.
Avenue Bookstore 127 Dundas Pl, Albert Park 03 9690 2227, customerservice@avenuebookstore.com.au
Also branches at:
Avenue Bookstore 434 Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick 9523 6405
Avenue Bookstore 91 Swan St, Richmond 8456 0627
8. Hill of Content, Melbourne
This is a soothing space with a well-stocked children’s section at the back that is spacious enough for kids and prams.
They just need to add some child-sized seating or beanbags and it’d be perfect!
The shop front is open 7 days a week, or order online for delivery or click and collect.
Hill of Content, 86 Bourke St, Melbourne (03) 9662 9472, melbourne@hillofcontentbookshop.com
9. Seddon Book Alley, Seddon
Seddon Book Alley is a secondhand bookstore in Seddon Village. While the store is not big the service from the owner Robert Ford is second-to-none if you don’t have the time or space to browse with kids in tow. Plus young readers receive a discount when spending their own pocket money on books!
As well as second-hand books for kids Seddon Book Alley has biographies, art, and top-selling Australian and international crime and fiction.
Seddon Book Alley also provides a bookbinding service, Rebound TXT. Rebound TXT repairs customers’ old and worn treasures by reattaching torn-off spines and repairing well-worn pages.
Book donations are welcome for those downsizing or decluttering and saving titles from landfill. Dropped-off books are given a store voucher.
The shopfront is open for business. And you can still get a ‘Brown Bag of Books’. It’s like a bookish lucky dip!
You just select the genre (including childrens/YA titles) and $dollar amount and Robert will select the books and deliver them to you. If you have any specific titles in mind he will even scour the shelves and stock out the back to see if they have it.
- You can visit the store during opening hours,
- If you are looking for a specific book, email info@seddonbookalley.com.au and Robert will check the shelves and store room
- Payment via bank transfer or phone
- Price options: Small Big of Books $20, Medium Bag of Books $40, Big Bag of Books $60
Seddon Book Alley, 107 Victoria Street Seddon, 0419 524 320, info@seddonbookalley.com.au
10. Readings Kids, Carlton
Next to Reading’s flagship Carlton store is a light-filled, roomy children’s specialist branch, Readings Kids. It has a small play area at the back and features a stunning mural from Melbourne artist Marc Martin.
To purchase books you can also order online at Readings with shipping within Australia is $9 flat rate; orders $150 and over are free. More detailed information on online shopping terms.
You can also subscribe to the Readings Kids’ Book Subscription. Choose from two options: a six month subscription ($204) or an 11 month subscription ($374). Every month a picture book for kids 1-5 years is selected by expert children’s booksellers, and then lovingly gift-wrapped and posted out to the nominated address.
In addition, the Readings Board Book Subscription is the perfect welcome-to-the-world gift for ages 0 to 1! An essential board book will be delivered to the lucky recipient each month. There are two options available: a six month subscription ($150) and a 12 month subscription ($300).
Unlike the Readings Kids’ Book Subscription which features new releases, the board book subscription has twelve classic titles that are posted each month.
Finally, Readings also offers book subscriptions for adults! The Readings Fiction Book Subscription delivers a handpicked work of contemporary fiction each month, and the Readings Nonfiction Book Subscription does the same for contemporary nonfiction.
Readings Kids, 315 Lygon St, Carlton
11. The Book Grocer, Melbourne
The Book Grocer is a discounted book retailer and wholesaler based in Tullamarine.
The chain had 14 shops nationally but have had to close quite a few of these sites and focus on their online business.
They’ve been trialling, with good results, bulk book boxes with different themed options. They include a Board Book Bargain Book Box, an Older Kids Picture Book Bargain Box and Kids Educational Bargain Book Box among many others.
They offer $10 shipping within Australia (excluding WA and NT which is $20) to a home or business address, or pickup in-store.
The Book Grocer, 455 Bourke St (near corner of Queen St) (03) 9670 4304 bourke@bookgrocer.com
The Book Grocer, Spencer Outlet Centre, Shop T19, Spencer Outlet Centre, Spencer St Melbourne spencer@bookgrocer.com
The Book Grocer, 263 High St Northcote (03) 9482 7480 northcote@bookgrocer.com
The Book Grocer, 5/101 Keilor Park Drive Tullamarine VIC 3043, (03) 9310 3938, hello@bookgrocer.com
12. Escape Hatch Books, Kew East
Escape Hatch Books in Kew East specialise in children’s books, with an extensive range for babies right up to young adult.
The store includes space to have a read before choosing a new book, and spaces for book clubs and craft (events are published on Escape Hatch Books’ Facebook Page).
Escape Hatch Books, 9 Strathalbyn St Kew East, 03 7015 3318, info@escapehatchboxes.com.au
13. Erinbank Books, Kensington
Featuring a constantly evolving selection of over 7000 titles, Erinbank Books is a treasure trove of literary gems. From first editions and signed copies to rare finds and new releases, there’s no shortage of amazing reads to uncover.
So whether you’re a seasoned collector or just looking for your next page-turner, this spot has got something for everyone.
Erinbank Books opens at 10 am, 7 days a week.
Erinbank Books, 490 Macaulay Rd. Kensington, erinbank.books@gmail.com
14. The Kids’ Bookshop, Mitcham
Owner of The Kids’ Bookshop in Mitcham Erin Wamala, is a Teacher Librarian with over 20 years’ experience working in bookselling and publishing – so you know you’re in good hands!
Erin has a passion for matching books to readers and enjoys nothing more than chatting to kids and their carers about books they will love.
The range at The Kids’ Bookshop caters for everyone – from board books for babies through to novels for teens, non-fiction, activity books, puzzles, games and even some treats for grown-ups!
The Kids’ Bookshop, 30 Britannia Mall, Mitcham VIC 3133, (03) 8578 5122, 0492 981 391, hello@thekidsbookshop.com.au
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Can’t miss Three Four Knock on the Door in Bay St, Port Melbourne. After having their store ravished by a fire, they have risen from the ashes with the best incarnation of their shop to date. This is their 5th location(that I know of) with book club, toy corner, plenty of room for a double pram, knowledgable staff of two sisters its second to none.
Thanks Susan, I will have to check it out!
We are one of Melbourne’s top 120 hidden gems. Hope you find us next time you compile this list! X
[…] Books are the gift that keep on giving and every year we pull out our ever-expanding collection of Christmas books. This year our addition is the book based on the Myer Christmas Windows – ‘The completely and utterly, absolutely perfect Christmas’ written and illustrated by H C Floren. Visit one of Melbourne’s best children’s bookshops to make your selection. […]