Support independent businesses while fostering a love of literature, at these local bookstores that are great for kids.

Tattered Cover

E. Colfax Ave., Historic LoDo, and Union Station in Denver; Aspen Grove in Littleton

Tattered Cover’s four locations, with vast selections of children’s titles and resources, are open for browsing. Curbside pickup is also available at the Colfax Ave. and Aspen Grove locations. They currently offer virtual storytimes and author livestreams that families can register for through the online calendar. In addition, find a wide range of COVID-19 resources for parents, a Picture Book of the Month selection, kids’ bestsellers lists, and annual kids’ contest information all under the website’s Young Readers tab.

The Bookies

4315 Mississippi Ave., Denver

The Bookies is known for its knowledgeable staff and is currently open to customers for browsing by appointment and for curbside pick-up. Until in-store storytime can resume safely, Bookies is hosting a virtual themed read aloud each month, with twice-per-month book picks from storytime leader Carolyn Hunter, accompanied by craft kits that families can pick up at the store.

Second Star to the Right

1545 S. Pearl St., Denver

Open for browsing, Second Star to the Right’s inventory caters mainly to kids and teens. The store regularly hosts virtual storytimes and author events, listed on the website. Recently, they launched Gay It Forward, an in-store swap program of pre-owned or prepurchased books, designed to promote greater access to books with LGBTQ+ characters.

Park Hill Community Bookstore

4620 E. 23rd Ave., Denver

A not-for-profit used bookstore run entirely by volunteers, the Park Hill Community Bookstore has newer titles, classics, and some books in Spanish, too. Though open for browsing, families can also support the store by purchasing an annual membership for $25 a year, which entitles members to ongoing discounts and credit toward future purchases.

BookBar

4280 Tennyson St., Denver

BookBar’s curbside pick-up is open daily for book orders as well as to-go food and drink from their bar. In-store browsing has not yet resumed. They maintain a busy virtual kids’ storytime schedule each week, including musical storytime, and French and Spanish storytimes.

HearthFire Books and Treats

1254 Bergen Pkwy., D122, Evergreen

HearthFire is open for browsing and offers a curated selection of children’s books and toys. They also serve up coffee, tea, and frozen yogurt with choose-your-own toppings. Events are on hold for now, but online shopping is still available.

Boulder Book Store

1107 Pearl St., Boulder

Find kids’ virtual author events on the Boulder Book Store’s online calendar of events, browse their large children’s section in person, or order for curbside pickup. Check out online book fairs that help raise money for local schools (discounts are available for educators). Teens can apply for the teen advisory board for the chance to read new titles before their release, write reviews for the Teen Lit Section, and plan events.

Book Cranny

7580 Grant Place, Arvada

Book Cranny maintains a well-organized, searchable online inventory of used books. Browse in-store and encourage your kids to bring in books for trade—the staff will get back to you on the number of credits you can receive toward future purchases.