"the word-of-mouth survival guide for MANHATTAN BEACH parents"
Big Blue Marble Book Store
551 Carpenter Lane
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19119
Phone: (215) 844-1870
Hours: Call for hours
Review added 7/14/2007
This bookstore has a few small touches that make it really perfect for parents.
Highlights:
There is a great parenting section, with a slight emphasis on non-traditional families. Thinking about adopting? Part of a multi-racial family? You're a practicing Christian and your spouse is Jewish? This bookstore has a really great range of titles on all these topics, in addition to the usual parenting books.
The kids section is also fabulous. It's in the back of the store and feels very safe, so parents can browse the adult fiction section or CDs and still see their kids playing down in the children's area. Again there is a better-than-usual range of books, with more unusual books and overall better quality than you'd find at Border's. There are nice wooden toys that change occasionally so my kid doesn't get tired of going there.
In the bathroom upstairs, there is a nice changing table, and diapers and wipes are available for customers to use.
There are regular events focused on children, including author readings, children's literary festivals, and story time.
The owner of the store is a parent, too, and it shows. I wish all stores were as kid-friendly.
Review added 5/8/2007
The Big Blue Marble Book Store is definitely a great experience for infants and toddlers. It's right across from The Maternal Wellness Center so it's part of a perfect day of Mommy/Baby bonding. Why not attend a New Mothers Support Group at the Wellness Center and then head over to the Big Blue Marble Bookstore? That's what we did! The store is adorable and cozy. The children's area is brightly lit and there are toys that are hands-on and friendly. The upstairs has great books for Mom and it almost looks like a loft. It was fun for my daughter to loook around while I picked out books AND she got free stickers and a doggie mask on the way out! Staff are VERY child friendly and understand that toddlers knock books over and explore.
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