Second Star to the Right Children's Books - Denver, Colorado

a N.

Beautifully and thoughtfully curated toys that’s focuses on making learning fun. Love that I found toys from popular French brands and for the same price as on Amazon. They even offer complementary gift wrapping! This store is the perfect example of why we should support small businesses

Lily C.

I was already impressed by Second Star to the Right, when I had gone before. I was attracted from the outside in. The art and colorful building seemed so welcoming. This children’s bookstore had plenty to captivate a wide variety of interests and age ranges.

A few weeks ago, the moved down the street, just a few blocks, and I was even more impressed. The shop looks like a house from the outside and has several rooms and books on the inside. Not only do I want to buy from this locally owned, independent bookshop, I want to stay awhile.

There are not only children’s books, some adult books, fidgets, and other goodies. The shop works hard to be inclusive.

Go and take a look!

Plus, love the Peter Pan reference in the title of the shop.

Street side parking is available.

Erika M.

This such a fun and magical independent book store. It's a great spot for families

Nikki M.

Friendly, helpful staff in what has to be the most adorable children's book shop I've ever visited - in a fun area of town to explore as well.

Megan H.

Great experience! Tons of cute and cool stuff and they wrapped my gift so perfectly for the birthday party!!

Steve R.

This small, bright bookstore is indeed a shining star. It’s charming and full of good books.

I first became aware of Second Star to the Right when I heard about the Children's Festival of Stories, a “day-long free public event featuring national, regional and local children’s book authors and illustrators,“ including book signings, panel discussions and special activities. Second Star to the Right created and promoted this occasion in partnership with Burning Through Pages, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free books to children and classrooms. I really wanted to see the business behind such an appealing event. I’d heard from other friends about their marvelous bookstore on Tennyson, but the shop had now moved and was in a new location on South Pearl Street. So that’s where I went.

The store fills the first floor of an old house that’s now painted turquoise with lavender and tangerine highlights. It’s easy to spot! Inside, the decor is colorful and whimsical, the books and games are shelved in an orderly (but not too fussy) fashion. It is essentially one large space with designated areas - there is a large section for YA novels here, and there are shelves full of learning games for pre-reading youngsters there. There are toys on display everywhere, ready for play. There are freebies such as flyers and brochures by the register.

I think it’s a slight drawback for a bookstore to be, essentially, in one large room, no matter how nicely organized. I like bookstores with nooks and crannies! Still, that’s a very minor point.

The merchandise seems chosen with care - “curated,” to use the owners’ words - and there are personal touches everywhere. I particularly appreciated the handwritten notes posted under recommended books. This is a feature I’ve always found at our best bookstores, and the extra guidance it provides is appreciated.

When I visited, there was one employee (the manager, I believe) and a few customers. I was greeted warmly and introduced to some new books that I found quite interesting. This manager really knew her shelves! She also knew how to properly sell a book, by asking a few guiding questions in order to offer considerate, informed suggestions... but not pushing too hard.

The store was founded and is owned by two teachers from Jefferson County Schools. In their previous location, they offered a story time every day, even including a regular “social justice story time!” There was a post-yoga story time, a Spanish story time, a French story time, and a story time featuring local figures such as police officers and dentists. I’m not sure if the schedule is quite as busy at the new location, but judging from their monthly calendar, there’s still quite bit going on. On the website, the owners write, “We hope to open a snack shop, an outside reading area, and an event space to host book clubs, author visits, and birthday parties. We also intend to bring art, music, and dance classes as well as grown-up book clubs.”

In conclusion, then, this is a very promising store; a welcome addition to Old South Pearl Street and also to the Denver book scene in general. I don’t know that I would particularly drive across town to visit, except for very special events. But if I lived in the neighborhood, I would stop in regularly.

jen

Adorable book store! Such a perfect spot for children’s gifts; great selection of children’s books ! Friendly staff too 😊 I will be back for sure!

Kymberly B.

I took my child who’s on the spectrum here. They were so understanding with her transition meltdown into the store. She loved the playroom’s atmosphere and the opportunity to try some toys out.

The staff told me about an author who will be coming out with a book in August about how the world can feel like too much- I can’t remember the author’s name or the book, I’m hoping that someone from the store will read this and know what I’m talking about so we can attend the book reading 🙏