Yahoo Lifestyle Why Growing Minds Bookstore caps used kids books at $3: 'For all of our futures'
Local, independent bookstores have never been more important. With fair access to literature under political attack, bookstores are a bulwark against censorship and an asset to the communities they serve.
Each week we profile an independent bookstore, discovering what makes each one special and getting their expert book recommendations.
This week we have owner Jennifer Matthews of Growing Minds Bookstore in Catonsville, Maryland!
What’s your store’s story?
Our store first opened in November 2021 and came out of my passion for children's literature for all ages, including teens. I was a high school reading specialist and math teacher before choosing to stay home after having my first child. I loved young adult books and then loved diving into board books and picture books with my own kids. Now we read chapter books together at home. We are a kid-friendly space that has a play area and activities on hand. We offer new and used books. Used books are all priced at $3 for kids, and young adult and adult books for $5 so every family can take a book home.
What makes your independent bookstore unique?
I am most proud of our community connections. We partner with local schools and offer teacher wish lists. We also partner with a local foster care facility to bring them books as well as $1 from every used book sold gets donated to their facility. We offer book clubs and story times and want to be a welcome space for all families. I have found my role to be that of an encourager. Parenting is HARD. It is nice for caretakers to have a listening ear and know that even if their kid has a meltdown here, there is no judging.
What's your favorite section in your store?
I love our used book room. I love the history that a used book has and its potential. I had a customer come in and found a book her deceased husband helped write when he worked at Johns Hopkins. It was a coffee-table-type book about space. I had two copies of it and she bought both, and gifted one to her husband's former coworker who she meets up with regularly. You never know what book is going to come in and where it will go! The used book room is also where the play area space is so there is always a lot of fun going on, especially with the play kitchen.
What book do you love to recommend to customers and why?
"Nanette's Baguette" by Mo Willems is one of my favorite read-aloud picture books. The rhyming is well done and I love to act out the emotions of the main character.
What book do you think deserves more attention and why?
"The Heartwood Hotel Series" by Kallie George is the absolutely sweetest story and has such cute drawings. It is a perfect snuggle read with your young kiddo.
Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important?
Kids need libraries and bookstores. They need some books that they own that they can read over and over again. It is important that this be at a local independent business because the money they spend on books goes right back into their community. Sometimes, kids interact better with – and are more willing to take advice from – adults who are not their parents. They come into the store and engage with booksellers in a way that they can't online. We know that kids do better at school when they have books at home, we need to be here for all of our futures.
What are some of your store's programs or partnerships coming up this quarter that you would like to share?
We have an adult book club every second Friday and kids book club every fourth Friday. Each month we have one Teacher Appreciation Night.
Our upcoming special events include:
Nov. 9 - Mo Willems Day
Nov. 12 - Taylor Swift Party in honor of the book Heartbreak is the National Anthem
Nov. 16 - Three Is A Magic Number Bookstore Anniversary Party!
On character days, we have crafts and activities set up throughout the store for families and I tend to dress up!
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Growing Minds Bookstore in Maryland focuses on young readers
