SingaporeMotherhood | Baby & Toddler
November 2017
The Best Children’s Bookstores in Singapore
To help you nurture your little bookworm’s love of reading, check out this list of best children’s bookstores around Singapore.
“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader,” goes a popular quote often attributed to American journalist and teacher Margaret Fuller. When cultivated from a young age, reading can bring all kinds of great benefits to your little ones. They stand to gain a higher aptitude for learning, enhanced creativity and imagination, as well as improved mastery of language and communication skills. Besides, reading is fun!
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Fortunately, Singapore is a book lover’s paradise. From cosy little book nooks to gigantic stores that you can get lost in, we’ve listed 10 of the best children’s bookstores in Singapore which can help you inspire a love of reading in your young readers.
1. My Greatest Child
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One of the largest children’s bookstores in Singapore, My Greatest Child (MGC) has been around for almost a decade now. Its mission: to promote reading to children of all ages by selling books and other educational materials at affordable prices. With more than 1,000 titles in the children’s section alone, the store’s expansive selection is comprised of colourful picture books, early readers, young adult literature and various reference titles, most of which are imported from the USA, the UK and Australia.
Look out for MGC book fairs, which feature huge price drops that readers will surely appreciate
Where #B2-03 City Square Mall | #03-19 Nex Serangoon | #03-91 Plaza Singapura | #02-131 SingPost Centre
Web www.mygreatestchild.sg
2. Woods in the Books
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Started by artist Mike Foo and co-owner Shannon Ong, Woods in the Books specialises in a wide range of both classic and contemporary picture books, comics and graphic novels for all ages. The layout of the store is a visual treat, featuring vibrant paintings of fictional characters on the glass doors and windows. Inside, you’ll find an assortment of hardcover and board book options which may not be easily available elsewhere. All of the picture books on the shelves are handpicked by the owners themselves in an attempt to captivate kids’ interest and encourage them to make reading a part of their everyday lives.
Look out for Storytelling and other fun events such as Story Time in the Woods, Children’s Street Trails and Children’s Day specials
Where 3 Yong Siak Street
Web www.woodsinthebooks.sg
(See also: Improve Your Preschooler’s Reading Skills with These 9 Fun Activities That You Can Do at Home)
3. Books Ahoy!
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The younger sister of Woods in the Books, Books Ahoy! also offers a thoughtfully curated collection of classics, new releases, graphic novels and niche titles that are otherwise difficult to find in Singapore. Books here are generously displayed along the walls like works of art, surrounded by more of Mike Foo’s signature murals. The store also has a great range of Giotto art supplies, Moulin Roty satchels and some seriously cool colouring book options.
Look out for Author readings, workshops and other fun events for young bookworms
Where #02-03 Forum The Shopping Mall, 583 Orchard Road
Web www.woodsinthebooks.sg/books-ahoy
4. Junior P@ge
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Founded by a group of book lovers, Junior P@ge is a one-stop bookshop that offers an impressive range of children’s books and educational toys at reasonable prices. They have everything from adventure fiction to educational reference books in store, catering to children of different ages and reading comprehension levels. You can choose to take your children to the bookstore for some hands-on browsing, or shop online − delivery is free if you spend more than $25.
Look out for Junior P@ge book fairs and regular road shows, which feature new titles at affordable prices
Where #02-40 Alexandra Retail Centre, 460 Alexandra Road
Web www.juniorpage.com.sg
5. Maha Yu Yi
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Traditional Chinese bookstore Maha Yu Yi houses a specialised kid’s section, perfect if you’re trying to encourage your children to improve their Chinese reading skills. It offers a wide selection of books for you and your kids to browse through, including titles by local authors. There are also works translated from foreign-language classics, such as award-winning American and Japanese titles. If you’re trying to hunt down a particular book in Chinese, this place is your best bet.
Look out for Fun workshops and storytelling events aimed at Chinese readers
Where #03-07/07 Bras Basah Complex, 231 Bain Street
Web www.yuyi.com.sg
(See also: How I Got my Child to Read Independently by age 3 (plus books you can read with your kids this holiday!))
6. Tango Mango Books & Gifts
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Tucked away on the third level of Tanglin Mall, this quaint little bookstore is a treasure trove of children’s books, art supplies, colouring and sticker books. It also contains a variety of local literature, as well as a wide range of magazine titles, little gift items and greeting cards. Kids can feel free to browse on their own, or settle down in a specially cordoned-off children’s corner that’s comfortably furnished with stools and a rug.
Look out for Crafts and storytelling sessions
Where #03-11A Tanglin Mall, 163 Tanglin Road
Web www.facebook.com/TangoMangoBooksGifts
7. Littered with Books
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Cosy and inviting, this charming bookstore offers books for both children and adults in pretty much every genre imaginable. Taking up two floors, the creative and thoughtful interior decor extends to plenty of quiet nooks for book lovers to retreat to for some quality reading time. If you need help finding some good reads for your kids, the store’s friendly staff are always on hand to provide recommendations.
Look out for Children’s book readings held every last Sunday of the month
Where 20 Duxton Road
Web www.litteredwithbooks.com
8. The Grassroots Book Room
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Hailed as one of Singapore’s most prominent Chinese bookstores, Grassroots Book Room is a serene bookshop with an adjoining cafe called the Open Book Cafe. It boasts a selection made up of 90 per cent Chinese language books, with the remainder being English titles to help cater for the non-Chinese-reading crowd. While not a dedicated children’s bookstore, the unconventional Grassroots Book Room does have a decent children’s section and also carries stationery and recipe books.
Look out for Exhibitions, author readings and workshops
Where 25 Bukit Pasoh Road
Web www.grassrootsbookroom.com
(See also: 10 Proven Ways to Give Your Child’s Brainpower a Mega Boost)
9. Closetful of Books
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Run by a book-loving couple, Closetful of Books aims to spread the habit of reading to as many people − especially children − as they can. Every single title in the store is carefully and lovingly curated by the owners. The eclectic book selection ranges from picture books and early readers to junior fiction and young adult novels. In addition to their physical shop, readers can also buy via their website. For parents who may need help with book recommendations for their little ones, feel free to look up the bookstore’s resident book expert, Denise Tan.
Look out for: School book fairs and other educational events like the Asian Festival of Children’s Content
Where #07-43 Oxley BizHub 1, 71 Ubi Road 1
Web www.closetfulofbooks.com
10. My Imagination Kingdom
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My Imagination Kingdom initially started out as an online bookstore, before gaining a physical presence that’s designed almost exclusively for children. Low display shelves keep things at children’s eye level, while hidden grottoes and cosy alcoves let children − and their parents − curl up with a tale or two. All books are classified according to age and reading level, making it easier for parents and children alike to pick out the perfect reading material. The staff are trained to engage directly with your little ones and offer them suggestions based on what they like.
Look out for Storytelling sessions every weekend, as well as meet-the-author sessions and other fun kids’ events
Where #03-43 OneKM Shopping Mall, 11 Tanjong Katong Road
Web www.myimaginationkingdom.com
As parents, the greatest gift that you can give your child is really the love of reading. Get your kids away from their computers and television screens, take them to one or more of these children’s bookstores, and encourage them to develop a deep love for learning, exploration and discovery that will last them a lifetime.
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