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, Brunswick East
The Little Bookroom is a wonderful stop for kids’ books in Melbourne, and it describes itself as the oldest bookshop specialising in books for children in the world. It’s located at East Brunswick Village in Brunswick East.
You can also shop online via their website. Their FAQ notes that Australian shipping is a $12 flat rate for orders under $100, with free standard shipping on orders over $100 (with some exclusions).
The Little Bookroom, 8 Village Ave, Brunswick East, 03 7048 4703, orders@littlebookroom.com.au
2. 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
3. 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.
Pictures and Pages, Shop 5, Foley’s Mall, 441 Sydney Road, Coburg, Victoria (03) 9041 6398, hello@picturesandpages.com.au
4. 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 $100 and over are free. More detailed information online shopping terms.
Readings Hawthorn, 687 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn (03) 9819 1917
5. 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
6. 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, info@avenuebookstore.com.au
Also branches at:
Avenue Bookstore 351 Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick 03 9523 6405
Avenue Bookstore 91 Swan St, Richmond 03 8456 0627
7. 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, 1/32 Bourke St, Melbourne (03) 9662 9472, melbourne@hillofcontentbookshop.com
8. 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
9. Readings Kids, Carlton
Next to Reading’s flagship Carlton store is a light-filled, roomy children’s specialist branch, Readings Kids. The shop branched off from the Carlton location in 2016 and is housed in a building originally designed by Melbourne architect Daryl Jackson.
Readings describes it as a dedicated kids and YA shop, created with the aim of helping people find the right story for every child and encouraging a lifelong love of reading. Wide pram-friendly aisles and a striking mural by Melbourne author-illustrator Marc Martin make it a lovely place to spend some time. Free weekly Storytime sessions run every Sunday 10.30am to 11.00am (ages 0-8, no booking required).
To purchase books, you can also order online at Readings. Shipping within Australia is a $9 flat rate, and standard shipping is free for orders over $100. More detailed information is available in their online shopping terms.
Readings Kids, 315 Lygon St, Carlton
10. The Book Grocer, Melbourne
The Book Grocer is a 100% Australian, family-owned discounted book retailer and wholesaler, founded in 2000. The business has shifted its focus to online sales and book boxes, with a wide range of themed bargain boxes across genres for adults and kids. Free in-store pickup is available at all locations.
They offer shipping within Australia to a home or business address, or pickup in-store. You can also order online at bookgrocer.com.
The Book Grocer, 455 Bourke St (near corner of Queen St) 0401 879 515 bourke@bookgrocer.com
The Book Grocer, Spencer Outlet Centre, Shop T9B, Spencer Outlet Centre, Spencer St Melbournespencer@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
11. 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, 643 High Street Kew East, 03 7015 3318, info@escapehatchboxes.com.au
12. 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 3132, (03) 8578 5122, hello@thekidsbookshop.com.au
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