September 25, 2015 – Let’s Play Books!, a children’s bookstore opened in February of 2014, is growing – hiring new booksellers and expanding their hours to a 7-day-a-week business.
The bookstore has adopted a new tagline,Your Neighborhood Bookstore, to replace, a children’s bookstore. Although the majority of the books in the shop will remain infant through Young Adult, they are adding adult titles daily, planning to have approximately 20/25% adult mix by early 2016. Adult titles will include fiction and non-fiction bestsellers, as well as a mix of socially and politically conscious titles – books that promote discussion.
“Our mission is, and always has been, to put books in the hands of children. Now, we are just expanding on that a bit, and trying to put books in the hands of everyone!”
The store’s programming and outreach to area school districts has grown tremendously. The shop is hosting three in-school book fairs this fall, replacing the ever-popular company Scholastic.
“We can’t offer the extreme discounts Scholastic can, as they print their own book fair editions. However, we can offer a specialized fair, one that is truly tailored to the school and their students.” – Kirsten Hess, Owner of Let’s Play Books! and Book Fair & Events Director.
The shop has also re-launched their popular Advanced Reader Copy Club this month, dividing the program into three groups: Elementary, Middle Grade and Teen. “We had over 100 children signed up for the program, so we had to put some more structure in it to manage the administration,” Hess said. The children assist Hess (also the only buyer) in selecting new titles to carry in the store. The new program details can be found on their website.
The shop plans on continuing their line of free events, averaging over 100 per year.
For more information about the programs or shop details, contact Kirsten Hess at Kirsten@letsplaybooks.com
New Hours as of October 1, 2015
Monday – Wednesday 10am – 6pm
Thursday & Friday 10am – 7pm
Saturday & Sunday 10am – 4pm
October Events at Let’s Play Books!
| Thursday, Oct. 1 | NEW hours, 7-days a week! |
| Friday, Oct. 2 | NEW weekly Friday story time with Ms. Ali! 10:30am |
| Saturday, Oct. 3 | Musical Storytime – with Sing n’ Song at 9am Colors, Shapes & Sounds on the Farm. $10/Pre-register |
| One Saturday Program! Donations accepted 10 – 4pm | |
| Monday, Oct. 4 | Inaugural Monday hours – Specials all day! 10 – 6pm |
| Tuesday, Oct. 5 | Harry Potter Release Party with special guest, Professor Trelawney from A Storybook Party. 5:30 -7pm/Book purchase is required. Shop will close @5:30pm. |
| Friday, Oct. 9 | Weekly Friday story time with Ms. Ali! 10:30am |
| NEW ARC Elementary Club meeting 6pm Grades 3-5, Pre-registration required | |
| Saturday, Oct. 10 | STAR WARS READS DAY! All day Star Wars fun & specials |
| Thursday, Oct. 15 | It’s Third Thursday & Meet the Author! 4:30 – 7pm |
| Felicia Chernesky From Apple Trees, to Cider, Please! Apple bobbing & apple activities | |
| Friday, Oct. 16 | Weekly Friday story time with Ms. Ali! 10:30am |
| NEW ARC Middle Grade Club Meeting 6pm Grades 6-8, Pre-registration is required | |
| NEW ARC Teen Club Meeting 7:30pm Grades 9 & up, Pre-registration is required | |
| Thursday, Oct. 22 | Educator Night! Random House Publishing and special guest authors. 6:30pm, pre-registration required. |
| Saturday, Oct. 24 | Book Launch at the Emmaus Public Library 3pm |
| Mark Magro, Surfacing Young Adult | |
| Friday, Oct. 23 | Weekly Story time with Ms. Ali! 10:30am |
| Thursday, Oct. 29 | Meet the Illustrator: Eric Wight, Everyone Loves Bacon 4:30 – 6pm, no registration required, books may be pre-purchased for signature. Come in costume & get an extra Trick-or-Treat! |
