Storytime Trolley: Why I Love Independent Bookstores

P-man (in blue) was totally captivated

We hit the little-boy-literary-event jackpot this last week. Excelsior Bay Books (http://www.excelsiorbaybooks.net/), an independent bookstore in a neighboring community, had storytime on the town's historical trolley with author David LaRochelle (http://www.davidlarochelle.com/). The trolley in Excelsior is on tracks, so my train-obsessed boys were excited when the trolley car came rolling up to the station. The boys were each given a cookie and a juice box and then we boarded the trolley. After a nice, short ride the trolley driver parked us in the shade (it was a very hot day) and Mr. LaRochelle told us some of his stories. We were lucky enough to get a sneak-peek at his newest book coming out this October called Moo! (It was hilarious, we will definitely be purchasing it). At the end of the stories we rode back to the start of the line and Mr. LaRochelle signed copies of his most recently released publication, How Martha Saved Her Parents From Green Beans. Both boys had a great time, even with the high heat, and P-man asked when we could do it again.

Author David LaRochelle read to us

This event was made possible thanks to the amazing staff at Excelsior Bay Books. It is a perfect example of the cool things that independent bookstores are able to do. For those of you who have never been to an independent bookstore, I highly suggest you hunt one down. In addition to Excelsior Bay Books, we have also have been to events at Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul (http://www.redballoonbookshop.com/), another independent bookstore that specializes in children's books. Our private story time with Sherri Duskey Rinker was at Red Balloon. I have been blown away by these bookstores. They both have great selections, an amazing and knowledgeable staff, and incredible events for children. I love that they both highlight local authors.

Not everyone is lucky enough to live by an independent bookstore, let alone two or three. We feel very fortunate to be close to these ones. Our family has found many wonderful independent bookstores when we have been traveling too. I hope you get a chance to visit one and see what amazing events they have.