Best Kids & Teen Book Stores in Washtenaw

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There are so many great bookstores in the Ann Arbor area. We’ve rounded up both general interest and specialty book stores that offer books for kids and teens.

In addition to these book shops, you can also find a smaller selection of children’s books at boutiques, toy shops, and gift shops. For example, look for books at places like My Urban Toddler, The Little Seedling, Mudpuddles, or Rock Paper Scissors.

Ann Arbor’s General Bookstores

When we asked our Facebook followers their favorite bookstores to find kids books, there were 2 clear leaders – Schuler’s Books (with many referencing their original name as Nicola’s) and Literati.

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Booksweet

Location: 1729 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA

Booksweet is located in the Courtyard Shops on Plymouth Rd. They are an independent bookseller.

The store transitioned to new owners in summer 2024. Since the transition, they do not run many events for kids and families.

Upcoming Events at Booksweet

” limit=5] Thursday, July 30 All Day – Free Summer Breakfasts & Lunches
” limit=5] Thursday, July 30 All Day – Kids Eat Free
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 All Day – Free Summer Breakfasts & Lunches
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 All Day – Kids Eat Free
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 9:00am-12:00pm – Tot Splash
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 10:00am-11:00am – Preschool Explorers at the Mills
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 10:00am-12:00pm – Summer of Discovery
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 10:00am-12:00pm – Toddler Time at Launch Trampoline
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 10:30am-11:30am – Baby Playgroup
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 10:30am-11:00am – Family Fun Storytime
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 11:00am-12:00pm – Cotton Candy Science Show: Summer Reading Program Wrap-Up Event
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 11:00am-7:00pm – Foodie Fridays
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 11:00am-12:00pm – Outdoor Sensory Play
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 11:30am – The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants - Summer Kids Series
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 12:00pm-12:30pm – Play the Kerrytown Chime
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 1:00pm-2:00pm – Let's Move
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 2:00pm-3:45pm – Drop-In Family Movie: The Wild Robot
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 3:00pm-6:00pm – Dixboro Farmers Market
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 3:00pm-4:00pm – Glitter Pictures
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 3:00pm-3:45pm – Rainbow Embroidery
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 4:00pm-10:00am – Family Campout
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 5:00pm-6:30pm – Family Fridays: Comic Creations
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 5:00pm-6:00pm – Wrapped in Love Teen Parent & Caregiver Meet Up – L.O.V.E.
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 5:30pm-8:00pm – Live from Tolan Square
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 6:00pm-7:30pm – The Big Gay Read | Community Craft Night
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 6:30pm-9:00pm – Dexter Summer Music Series
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 7:00pm-9:00pm – John E. Lawrence Summer Jazz Concert Series
” limit=5] Friday, July 31 8:00pm-10:00pm – Movie in the Park - Zootopia 2
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 All Day – Kids Eat Free
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 7:00am-3:00pm – Ann Arbor Farmers Market
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 8:00am-1:00pm – Chelsea Farmers Market
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 8:00am-1:00pm – Dexter Farmers Market
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 8:00am-9:30am – Lillie parkrun
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 8:00am-12:00pm – Saline Famers Market
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 9:00am-10:00am – Toddler Time at Launch Trampoline
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 9:00am-2:00pm – White Lotus Farms Farmers Market
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 9:00am-1:00pm – Ypsilanti Farmers Market
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 10:00am-12:00pm – Summer of Discovery
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 10:30am-11:00am – Play the Kerrytown Chime
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 11:30am – The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants - Summer Kids Series
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 12:00pm-3:00pm – Critter House Open Hours
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 12:00pm-4:00pm – U-M Medical History Exhibit
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 12:00pm-1:00pm – Wee-Write
” limit=5] Saturday, August 1 3:00pm-6:00pm – Turntables & Tunes
” limit=5] Sunday, August 2 All Day – Kids Eat Free
” limit=5] Sunday, August 2 9:00am-1:00pm – AADL's 21st Annual LEGO Contest - Entry Drop-Off
” limit=5] Sunday, August 2 9:00am-1:00pm – Tot Splash
” limit=5] Sunday, August 2 10:00am-12:00pm – Summer of Discovery
” limit=5] Sunday, August 2 10:00am-2:00pm – Whitmore Lake Farmers Market
” limit=5] Sunday, August 2 11:30am – The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants - Summer Kids Series
” limit=5] Sunday, August 2 12:00pm-3:00pm – Critter House Open Hours
” limit=5] Sunday, August 2 12:00pm-4:00pm – U-M Medical History Exhibit
” limit=5] Sunday, August 2 4:00pm-6:30pm – 21sts Annual AADL LEGO Contest - Public Viewing
” limit=5] Monday, August 3 All Day – Free Summer Breakfasts & Lunches
” limit=5] Monday, August 3 All Day – Kids Eat Free
” limit=5] Monday, August 3 9:00am-12:00pm – Tot Splash
” limit=5] Monday, August 3 10:30am-11:30am – Baby Playgroup
” limit=5] Monday, August 3 10:30am-11:30am – Downtown Storytime
” limit=5] Monday, August 3 10:30am-11:30am – Jumpstart Storytime
” limit=5] Monday, August 3 10:30am-11:00am – Preschool Storytimes
” limit=5] Monday, August 3 11:00am-12:00pm – Fire Pit Fries
” limit=5] Monday, August 3 11:30am – The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants - Summer Kids Series
” limit=5] Monday, August 3 1:30pm-3:00pm – Chef Camp with FedUp Ministries
” limit=5] Monday, August 3 4:00pm-6:00pm – Noise Permit Summer Workshop Series
” limit=5] Monday, August 3 4:30pm-5:30pm – LEGO Club
” limit=5] Monday, August 3 7:00pm-9:00pm – Summer Carillon Series
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 All Day – Free Summer Breakfasts & Lunches
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 All Day – Kids Eat Free
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 9:00am-12:00pm – Tot Splash
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 10:00am-12:00pm – Summer of Discovery
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 10:30am-11:30am – Discovery Time
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 10:30am-11:30am – Nature Storytime: Mushrooms
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 11:00am-12:00pm – Baby Playgroup
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 11:00am-11:30am – Preschool Storytimes
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 11:00am-11:30am – Preschool Storytimes
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 11:30am – The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants - Summer Kids Series
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 12:00pm-1:00pm – Free Summer Lunches from FedUp Ministries!
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 12:00pm-1:00pm – Free Summer Lunches from FedUp Ministries!
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 2:00pm-3:00pm – Drop-In Makerspace
” limit=5] Tuesday, August 4 9:00am-1:00pm – Ypsilanti Farmers Market

Website

Literati Bookstore

Make sure to stop by the typewriter and leave a note!

Location: 124 E Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA

Literati is Ann Arbor’s downtown bookstore. Stop by and visit them when you are visiting downtown.

Head upstairs and be inspired by the kids section. While you are there, don’t forget to leave a note on the typewriter.

Literati holds frequent author events and book clubs. However, most of their events are for adults.

Upcoming Events at Literati Bookstore

Website

Schuler’s Books

Check out their expanded children's wing, but make sure to leave time to shop the gift section for games, puzzles, and more.

Location: 2513 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA

Located in Westgate Shopping Center, Schuler Books has long been an Ann Arbor staple – previously operating as Nicola’s Books. They were purchased by Schuler Books in 2014 and changed their name in 2022. More recently, they expanded their children’s area into the space formerly occupied by Old Siam restaurant. The orignial children’s area was replaced with a used books section.

In addition to their books, we have found Schuler’s Books to have a selection of games, puzzles, and various gifts.

Upcoming Events at Schuler’s Books

Website

General Bookstores Beyond Ann Arbor

There are plenty of options beyond Ann Arbor as well. Don’t forget to checkout book stores in surrounding towns like Dexter, Saline, Chelsea, and Milan.

Fine Print Bookshop

After picking up your books, stop in at Carrigan Cafe for drinks and pastries while you start reading your new books.

Location: 109 E Michigan Ave, Saline, MI 48176, USA

Saline’s Fine Print Bookshop has a mission to build a community around reading and a love of books.

Upcoming Events at Fine Print Bookshop

Website

Courageous Books

Check out the Newest Bookshop in the area - Opened September 2025

Location: 8063 Main St, Dexter, MI 48130, USA

Courageous Books brings an independent local bookstore to downtown Dexter.

Check out their weekly storytime on Friday mornings and other events.

Upcoming Events at Courageous Books

Website

Adventure, Ink

Books ✅ Comics ✅ Games ✅ Locally Made Gifts✅

Location: 108 E Main St, Milan, MI 48160, USA

Adventure Ink is Milan’s independent bookstore. They are an eclectic mix of new & used books, comics and games.

Upcoming Events at Adventure, Ink

Website

Serendipity Books

When they moved to their new location in 2025 the community formed a book brigade to pass books from the old location to the new. Be sure to check out their staff picks showcased in a nook in the brickwork.

Location: 119 S Main St, Chelsea, MI 48118, USA

Chelsea’s Serendipity Books

Upcoming Events at Serendipity Books

Website

Specialty Bookstores Near Ann Arbor

There are a number of specialty bookstores near Ann Arbor, However, we have focused our list on those that have a sizable collection for children including comic shops. This has meant that Ann Arbor bookstores like Dawn Treader Book Shop, Crazy Wisdom, and West Side Book shop have not made our list.

Secret Crisis Comics

Secret Crisis Comics is a great option for those looking for comics, games, and collectibles.

Location: 1165 S Main St, Chelsea, MI 48118, USA

Chelsea’s Secret Crisis Comics offers comics, manga, and graphic novels.

Plus, don’t miss their selection of games and collectibles.

Upcoming Events at Secret Crisis Comics

Website

Fun 4 All Comics & Games

Shop for comic books and graphic novels.

Location: 3773 Carpenter Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, USA

Fun 4 All Comics & Games offers a selection of comics, graphic novels, and books for role playing games.

They are an annual participant in Free Comic Book Day in May.

Upcoming Events at Fun 4 All Comics & Games

Website

Adventure, Ink

Books ✅ Comics ✅ Games ✅ Locally Made Gifts✅

Location: 108 E Main St, Milan, MI 48160, USA

Adventure Ink is Milan’s independent bookstore. They are an eclectic mix of new & used books, comics and games.

Upcoming Events at Adventure, Ink

Website

Blackstone Bookstore & Cultural Center

Blackstone Bookstore has created a space in Ypsilanti to center Black Stories, Black History, and Black Imagination.

Location: 214 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, USA

Check out all of their books both fiction and non-fiction that celebrate Black Stories and Histories.

Stop in to celebrate Black Culture and let your child find a whole collection of books that center Blackness.

Upcoming Events at Blackstone Bookstore & Cultural Center

Website

Vault of Midnight

Graphic Novels are a great option for many reluctant readers! Check out their extensive selection of graphic novels and comic books.

Location: 219 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA

Vault of Midnight is a great local comic book store and has a great selection of graphic novels and related books.

They have a whole wall dedicated to kids books. We love shopping their game selection in the basement as well. If you are interested in role playing games, they are an option for game related books.

Don’t miss the Free Comic Book Day in May and Free Spooky Comic Book Day in October!!