Best bookshops for kids and families
📚 Sydney’s Best Independent Bookshops for Kids (and Their Book-Loving Mums)
The Sydney Writers’ Festival is here, and it’s the perfect excuse to get the kids off screens and into stories. From beautifully curated children’s sections to Friday morning story time and cafés with strong coffee and stronger book recommendations, Sydney’s indie bookstores are more than just retail — they’re community hubs, imagination starters, and rainy-day lifesavers. Whether you’ve got a board book biter or a teen devouring YA fantasy trilogies, these mum-approved bookstores have something for every chapter of family life.
Inner West
Gleebooks – Glebe
It’s no secret that Gleebooks is a much-loved Inner West institution — and not just for the grown-ups. While you’ll find everything from freshly launched fiction to handsome hardcover editions of Dickens and Tolstoy, the children’s and YA sections are a dream for bookish kids. There’s something nostalgic about the creaky floorboards, background jazz, and that heady scent of freshly printed pages. Head upstairs for author talks and events, then pop across the road to the buzzing Glebe Markets for lunch.
📍 49 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 | gleebooks.com.au
Better Read Than Dead – Newtown
King Street’s Better Read Than Dead is practically a rite of passage for Inner West families. The kids’ section is expertly curated, colour-coded, and blissfully browseable — with thoughtful picks for toddlers, early readers, and tweens alike. Staff are warm, wildly knowledgeable, and always ready with a recommendation that nails it. Bonus: it’s just a stone’s throw from some of Newtown’s best babyccinos and post-bookshop snacks.
📍 265 King St, Newtown NSW 2042 | betterread.com.au
Sappho Books Café & Bar – Glebe
If you haven’t had a sangria in the courtyard while your kids page through vintage picture books, are you even an Inner West mum? Housed in a charming three-tiered terrace, Sappho’s is one of Sydney’s most beloved second-hand bookshops. The children’s selection is well stocked and full of personality, and the grown-up section isn’t bad either. Stay for live music, poetry nights, and dangerously good coffee.
📍 51 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037 | sapphobooks.com.au
Elizabeth’s Bookshop – Newtown
Blind Date with a Book, anyone? This quirky second-hand shop is a Newtown mainstay, and its mystery book concept — where books are wrapped with cryptic descriptions — adds a fun twist to family reading. Expect everything from Dr Seuss to philosophy tomes in this treasure trove of pre-loved pages. Perfect for kids who love surprises and mums who love a bargain.
📍 257 King St, Newtown NSW 2042 | elizabethsbookshop.com.au
Sydney CBD
Kinokuniya – Sydney CBD
If your family likes a big bookshop adventure, Kinokuniya is a must. Located above the QVB, this sprawling Japanese bookstore has an unbeatable selection of kids’ and YA books, graphic novels, manga, picture books, and international titles. It’s massive, yes, but also well-organised and surprisingly relaxing to navigate — just don’t come with a time limit.
📍 Level 2/500 George St, Sydney NSW 2000 | kinokuniya.com.au
Abbey’s Bookshop – Sydney CBD
This long-standing bookseller is a paradise for curious minds — and not just adult ones. While Abbey’s is best known for its serious literary and non-fiction cred (history buffs and language nerds, this one’s for you), it also has a sweet and well-stocked kids’ section just ripe for exploring. The staff know their stuff and are always happy to help parents find books that aren’t just entertaining but educational too. A great detour if you’re doing the city circuit with the kids in tow.
📍 131 York St, Sydney NSW 2000 | abbeys.com.au
East
Potts Point Bookshop – Elizabeth Bay
Charming and polished, Potts Point Bookshop is a gorgeous hideaway for a drizzly afternoon. The kids’ corner is filled with thoughtfully chosen picture books and middle-grade favourites, and parents will love the stunning collection of art, fashion, and contemporary titles. Don’t miss the storytime sessions on Friday mornings — it’s a local fave.
📍 14 Macleay St, Elizabeth Bay NSW 2011 | pottspointbookshop.com.au
Gertrude & Alice Café Bookstore – Bondi
This beachy little gem is as much about ambience as it is about excellent books. Shelves brim with new and second-hand titles, including a sweet children’s section. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more inviting combo than a flat white, warm banana bread, and a great book while the kids explore the shelves.
📍 46 Hall St, Bondi Beach NSW 2026 | gertrudeandalice.com.au
Ampersand Café & Bookstore – Paddington
Part library, part café, Ampersand is stacked (literally) with more than 30,000 titles across three cosy levels. The family-friendly café is a hit with locals, and while it doesn’t have a massive kids’ section, it’s ideal for a low-key browse with older kids or teens. The vibe is delightfully vintage and the menu full of comfort food faves.
📍 78 Oxford St, Paddington NSW 2021 | ampersandcafe.com.au
Ariel Books – Darlinghurst
Stylish, smart and effortlessly cool, Ariel is a Darlinghurst icon with serious shelf appeal. While it leans a little more grown-up, the children’s and YA sections are small but beautifully curated — perfect for older school-aged readers or teens looking for something off the mainstream. Mums will love the stunning design books and cult classics, while the sleek setting makes browsing here feel like a grown-up indulgence (even with a pram in tow).
📍 98 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010 | arielbooks.com.au
North
Love Vintage Books – Willoughby
Got a little history buff or art lover in the family? This lower North Shore institution specialises in rare, out-of-print, and collectible books — especially in travel, history, and architecture. The online catalogue is a handy way to browse before visiting, but the real joy is discovering something unexpected in the quiet, well-organised shelves.
📍 563 Willoughby Rd, Willoughby NSW 2068 | lovevintagebooks.com.au
Constant Reader – Crows Nest
With its old-world charm and well-stocked shelves, Constant Reader feels like a bookshop from a storybook. The dedicated kids’ nook is cheerful and inviting, with a great mix of board books, picture books, early readers and school-aged picks. You’ll also find parenting books, cookbooks, and self-help gems — making it just as fun for you as it is for the kids.
📍 27 Willoughby Rd, Crows Nest NSW 2065 | constantreader.com.au
Bookshop – Beecroft
It’s a bit of a trek from the Inner West, but this magical shop is worth the drive. Specialising exclusively in children’s books, it’s run by actual teacher-librarians (aka wizards of the reading world), who delight in matching kids with just the right book. Think quality over quantity, with staff picks that are almost always hits. A great stop on the way to grandma’s or for a weekend day trip.
📍 6 Hannah St, Beecroft NSW 2119 | thechildrensbookshop.com.au
South
Book Station – Caringbah
Tucked away in the Shire, Book Station is a second-hand haven where books and breakfast go hand in hand. The all-day menu (hello, butterscotch crepes) is worth the visit alone, and the sustainable exchange program — return your read and get half back — makes it a hit with budget-conscious parents.
📍 356 Port Hacking Rd, Caringbah NSW 2229 | bookstationcaringbah.com.au
The Best Little Bookshop in Town – Cronulla
This beachside gem lives up to its name. Unpretentious, welcoming, and packed with everything from literary fiction to board books, it’s ideal for picking up a few reads before heading to the sand. Staff are friendly and happy to chat books, and the kids’ section has a great mix of classics and new releases.
📍 97 Cronulla St, Cronulla NSW 2230 | thebestlittlebookshopintown.com.au
Central Coast
Umina Beach Book Nook – Umina Beach
Okay, this one’s a little further afield — but if you’re heading north for a beach break, make a pit stop at this absolute charmer on the Central Coast. Umina Beach Book Nook is exactly what it sounds like: warm, welcoming, and run by people who really care about connecting families with great stories. The shelves are packed with new releases, children’s favourites, and thoughtful reads that appeal across ages. Bonus points for being just blocks from the beach and local playgrounds.
📍 327 West St, Umina Beach NSW 2257 | uminabeachbooknook.com.au
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