“Books of Wonder,” ~ Children’s Bookstore Needs Your Help

 November 28, 2012: Every Tuesday evening, on the way to my fiction workshop with Jonathan Galassi, President of Farrar, Straus, and Giroux through the CUNY Writers’ Workshop, I always pass by this gem of a bookstore. Books of Wonder is New York City’s oldest and largest independent bookstore, specifically for children. Kavya, my two- and- a- half- year-old daughter, absolutely loves coming here and because it’s an independent bookstore, it just feels cozier than going to Barnes and Noble, even though some of the time the books are exactly the same. It’s partly because it is conveniently located to the PATH train that takes us back home to Jersey City (reprezent), but it’s also because we often see Peter Glassman, the owner, walking around, laughing and chatting it up. Sometimes at events, other times just randomly when we’re there. There are brightly colored seats right up front, where we used to have cupcakes and coffee, and lots of bean bags and kid friendly seats and benches. Whenever I walk by it, I usually pop in, but I will always glance at the window display. This month, it’s in celebration of the 80th birthday of one of my favorite books when I was growing up: Babar.

Mention the name Books of Wonder to anyone in the New School’s Writing for Children MFA program where Sona Charaipotra and her homegirls at TeenWritersBloc graduated, and they know exactly what you’re talking about. It’s their joint, and even after graduating it continues to be. Sona’s classmates, who have published books have done readings or panels here, such as Mary G. Thompson who, along with a few other writers, was part of a panel discussion about her frightening Middle Grade Book, Wuftoom, that helps children realize there are other things to be frightened of than just vampires and ghosts. Like worms.

Earlier this month when I heard that Books of Wonder had started a fundraising campaign on Indigo, I was quite shocked. I just assumed it would magically be around forever. This is just like “Sleepless in Seattle,” except there’s no evil corporation and the owner of this independent bookshop, Peter Glassman, isn’t a sexy blonde, nor is he looking for love in an AOL chatroom. But other than that, this is exactly like that. The situation is not a dramatic plea for donations or this independent bookshop will close its doors forever. But because of unforseen expenses – the Cupcake Cafe that was housed in Books of Wonder closed down a year ago, and the bills started piling up.

There is less than a day to go and they’ve raised an impressive $59,174 towards there $100,000 goal. Help support this fine bookshop by donating to their Indiegogo campaign,



or if you’re reading this post after the fact, please spend your money here if you’re buying children’s books.