One of the best things parents can do to help ensure children have a successful future is to instill a love of learning. An appreciation for reading at an early age is fundamental to quality learning and a solid educational foundation. While it is easy to buy a book online with the click of a few buttons, nothing compares to visiting a charming bookstore in your community with your family.
Spending time at a local bookstore for the perfect read or a beloved childhood classic creates a wonderful parent-and-child bonding moment and solidifies cherished memories for years to come. Read on to learn about the top local bookstores to explore and visit around Allen, Texas.
Bookstore by Gustavo Devito is licensed with CC BY 2.0
Kinokuniya Plano
Located inside the Mitsuwa Marketplace in Plano, Texas, Kinokuniya Books is a must-see for book lovers. Kinokuniya Plano aims to provide customers with a unique shopping experience by offering a variety of book genres with a broad selection of Japanese pop culture products. This bookstore has entertaining reads like manga and magazines and inspiring books featuring concept art or how-to’s. With education optimization in mind, Kinokuniya Plano sells notebooks, textbooks, pencil cases, and writing utensils for all ages. They also sell special stationary items, including calligraphy boxes and sticker collections.
The knowledgeable store staff is ready to help you find the perfect book to add to your collection or to gift to a friend. Their familiarity with the inventory enables you to find anything you need. There are plenty of toys, keychains, puzzles, movies, and apparel to purchase as a treat for your family. If you’re feeling hungry, try something new, and grab a snack at Mitsuwa Marketplace, the Japanese Grocery store in the Allen, Texas, area.
Location: 100 Legacy Drive, Plano.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
Contact: 972-517-0226
Madness Games and Comics
While some argue that comics are not books, that is madness for most. Comic books often serve as inspiring gateways to reading and can entice reluctant readers to become lifelong readers. Madness Games and Comics, known as the pop culture megastore in Plano, Texas, features much more than that. It holds the imagination of enthusiastic young readers, those looking for nostalgic items, and the eager readers of tomorrow.
Madness Games and Comics presents exciting entertainment your family can enjoy. Inside the store, shelves consist of fun board games, collectible card games, posters, vintage toys, comics, and even trade paperbacks. Avid comic readers happily discover Madness’ impressive inventory of comic books ranging from Superman, Batman, and Doctor Who to James Bond.
Location: 3000 Custer Road, Suite 310, Plano.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and 10 a.m. to midnight on Saturday.
Contact: 972-943-8135
Rockin’ A B
While Rockin’ A B is a children’s gift store, the great reads found here are pleasantly surprising. A visit to Rockin’ A B in McKinney, Texas, immerses you into a world of children’s favorites and seasonal books that will quickly become routine readings in your home. “The Little Blue Truck Series” is a beloved classic for boys and girls, while holiday favorites like the “Nutcracker” turn into family keepsakes.
The bookshop owners aim to provide an inviting and fun environment where customers can select books and relish in a relaxed atmosphere. The store’s design invites you to have fun as you shop. Rockin’ A B’s walls overflow with toys for kids of all ages, children’s accessories, baby clothing, and shoes making it a delightful store to explore.
Location: 113 N. Kentucky, Suite 102, McKinney.
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Closed on Monday
Contact: 469-907-1053
Whose Books: Your Neighborhood Bookshop
Whose Books Bookshop is a family-owned and -operated bookstore in Dallas, Texas. This quaint store offers a carefully curated selection of books suitable for the entire family. It is a phenomenal place to visit on a relaxed evening and can even become a beloved monthly destination. Their wide array of books constantly rotates, making each visit unique and different. The bookstore’s mission focuses on promoting literacy and creating a pleasant and engaging environment for readers of all ages.
The store hosts a monthly book club that helps patrons read and connect with other community members. Reading becomes social, fun, and interactive at Whose Books. Kid-friendly activities the shop hosts frequently include read-aloud story time with arts and crafts, poetry readings by the poets themselves, and Story Time Stretch. This event is in collaboration with Stefanie, a Yena wellness advocate. It is a children’s program recommended for ages 5 to 8 and helps with emotional regulation, physical strength, and agility.
Location: 1300 S. Polk St., #267, Dallas
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, and closed on Monday and Tuesday
Contact: 469-885-8004
All of us at Crème de la Crème enjoyed sharing our list of the top four bookstores to explore around the Allen, Texas, area. Check them out with your little ones on your next family outing. You can choose books at your little one’s reading level or a level or two above for a challenge. Stop by when you need a little breather or want a new, thrilling book to read. These local bookstores are also wonderful places to find that special someone a birthday gift while you support small businesses.
If you’re looking for quality instruction or a safe place to help your child work on their reading skills while you are at work or busy running errands, check out our Crème de la Crème of Allen location. Our instructors and staff are highly qualified, and our atmosphere is conducive to a great learning experience. Call us at 214-273-1897 to set up an appointment, see our facility, and learn about all benefits of enrolling your child in one of Crème de la Crème’s quality programs.