HKG: Top 10 Kids' Bookstores: Favorite Reading Rooms

by Little Steps Asia Aug 28, 2014

A good bookstore is a destination for the imagination! From storytelling magic to the best deals on used books for kids, Little Steps has put together the top recommendations for exploring kid-friendly bookstores in the city. Pick up your kiddo’s next bedtime story at one of these top picks and enjoy!

ESLITE BOOKSTORE

A big box bookstore from Taiwan, Eslite’s stunning space in Hysan Place isn’t just a retail space but a megastore with a cafe and restaurant. There are books on virtually every subject, and there’s a good selection of English books for kids, too. If your wee ones need to stock up on school supplies, make a beeline to their stationary department for cutesy pens and notepads, and anything else they may need.
Eslite, 8/F-10/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 3419 6789

FLOW BOOKSHOP

When you teach your kids the “3Rs”, make sure you set an example on reduce, reuse, recycle by bringing their unloved books, DVDs, CDs and games to Flow Bookshop. The store has a special kid’s section - two, giant, floor-to-ceiling shelves stocked with everything that suitable for kids under 12. Let them run wild, while you sort through the latest arrivals.
Flow Bookshop, 1A Wing On Bldg, 38 Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2964 9483

POLLUX BOOKS

Take the whole gang over to Ap Lei Chau and spend a few hours sorting through the vast collection at Pollux Books. Unlike other big box stores, here, they focus on your kids first with wall-to-wall shelves stocked full of picture books, educational booklets and audio books. There’s plenty fun reads that your little ones will love and cherish for years to come, the difficulty lies in choosing!
Pollux Books, Rm 2101, 21/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing St, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, +852 2873 6962

LEISURE BOOKSHOP

There’s lots and lots to browse through at this Saikung secondhand bookshop, and if you feel at a loss for choosing, take a break and hangout with the store’s pet calico cat. They have a vast collection of youth fiction, as well as a good selection of illustrated books for kids. The best part is, you never really know what you’re going to get because new donations arrive daily. It’s also a good place to bring your unwanted books or simply add to your library.
Leisure Bookshop, 32A, G/F, Po Tung Rd, Saikung, Hong Kong, +852 2791 9629

BOOK and CO.

A relaxing little enclave for book lovers of all sorts, Book and Co is conveniently located in the Mid-Levels and is chock-a-block stuffed with books for every age. There’s plenty of books for adults, teens and ‘tweens and a limited selection for your mini bookworms. Plus, there’s a cute and cosy cafe to tuck into cake with a cuppa tea for a much needed break from all that shopping!
Book & Co., 10 Park Rd, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong, +852 2559 5199

SWINDON BOOKS

There’s something truly wonderful about Swindon Books, and it’s hard to put a finger on the reason. It may be because of its well organised and easy to navigate aisles, or the it’s laid back vibe that invites you to flip through and read a few pages... The selection of books isn’t huge, but it’s carefully chosen and it spans many subjects. The ground floor has English books while the upstairs has English and Chinese.
Swindon Books, 13-15 Lock Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2366 8001

BOOKAZINE PRINCE'S BUILDING

This bookstore chain needs little introduction, and if you’re a parent and isn’t familiar with their location in the Prince’s Building, you really need to acquaint yourself. That particular branch does regular story time, book launches and all sorts of dandy events that inspire your child’s love for reading. Visit their website and see what are their upcoming events.

Bookazine Prince’s Building, Shop 309, Prince's Building, 10 Chater Rd, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2522 1785

BOOKSMART

If your Lord of the Rings trilogy is collecting dust and you’re looking for more updated reads, trade them in to BooksMart in Sheung Wan, a shop tucked away on the upper floor of an office building, which carries new and old books in English. There are books on virtually anything, including audio books, parenting, young adult novels and more.

BooksMart, Rm 1604, 16/F, Western Centre, 48 Des Voeux Rd West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, +852 2630 5035

MIRTH HOME

Located in an industrial building in Wong Chuk Hang, Mirth is a one-stop shop for all of your needs from cutesy outfits and accessories to home wares for the perfect childhood room. They also have a small but well edited selection of books, with a great selection of beautifully illustrated books that junior will love, and also other coffee table books for mom.
Mirth Home, 23 Wong Chuk Hang Rd, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, +852 2553 9811

BASHEER DESIGN BOOKS

Bring your budding picassos to Basheer Books for a vast collection of art and design books. This is a bookstore for ‘tweens and teens interested in architecture, design, art and comics, or mommas and pappas looking for interesting reads or just beautifully bound coffee table books to show off your highbrow interests. There’s also nicenotebooks and stationary to stock up on.
Basheer Design Books, 1/F, Flat A, Island Building 439-441 Hennessy Rd, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2126 7533

HKG: Order-In Food Delivery

by Appetite Urgency published on 04 September 2014

Too busy to whip up something in the kitchen but you can’t stomach another cup-a-noodle? Let these delivery services come to the rescue! Little Steps has compiled a list of our favorite food delivery options around town. Sit back, relax and let the food come to you!

FOOD BY WEB

With over 300 eatery listings complete with menus, you can now weigh your lunch or dinner options with this easy-to-use website. Select from cuisines spanning the globe, from Chinese, Indian and Thai to Western favorites. There are plenty of well-known restaurants linked to the site, including Soho Spice, Pizza Express and Mr Taco Truck.
Food By Web, +852 2805 1131

FOODPANDA

The leading global food delivery service with its fleet of zippy mopeds brings dinner straight to your door. It has signed up a large selection of restaurants including MANA!, eat Right, Maya Cafe, K-Roll, Sugo Sushi, and Bao Wow, to name a few. Foodpanda delivers straight to the office or direct to your door at home. They also have a mobile app that makes ordering food as streamlined as possible for Hong Kong locals and expats alike.
Food Panda, +852 3051 9292

DELIVERY HK

Bringing everything edible from desserts, detox & juices, groceries, meals from restaurants, and even wine & spirits all under one roof, this visually-appealing website with beautiful photography makes browsing a breeze. Top picks include Chef Patrick Deli, Just Green, Kelly's Cape Bop, and Happy Cow. They currently deliver to offices only but is looking to deliver to homes starting next year.
Delivery, +852 3477 7777

CUISINE COURIER

A great online ordering service that allows you to pick your location - Hong Kong or Kowloon side from the get-go. Restaurants are clearly listed with the type of cuisine they serve, while the selection of restaurants they have on hand promises a great meal - selection includes BLT Burger, Dressed Salads, El Taco Loco and Ayuthaiya.
Cuisine Courier, +852 2596 0000

DIAL-A-DINNER

Dial-a-Dinner delivers to most areas in Hong Kong Island, the Southside, and Kowloon with a minimum order for lunch and dinnertime deliveries ranging from HK$100 to HK$150. Restaurants on their roster includes everything from Grappa’s Cellar and Habibi Cafe, to Malaymama and Mr Bing. It also delivers emergency items such as batteries, toiletries and ice from its online convenience store and wine from its online wine cellar.
Dial-a-Dinner, +852 2598 1718

FOOD BY FONE

With a whole host of restaurants covering all the bases, from Sichuan at Chili Fagara, to Chicken on the Run and Kyoto Jo, Food Fone can deliver to just about everywhere in Hong Kong. You can even order a whole host of different dishes to suit every palate in the family - junior can tuck into a burger from Caliburger while mom and dad start with ahealthy salad from Life Cafe.
Food By Fone, +852 2868 6969, info@foodbyfone.net

SAV'S COOKING

Fancy a home-cooked Indian meal without all the fuss? Every Sunday, Sav Sinslow prepares and delivers a set menu of meat or vegetarian dishes using only the best organic ingredients from her home kitchen. Sav also runs private and group cooking classes. Check on her Facebook page for more info.
Sav’s Cooking, +852 9311 9273

PIZZERIA ITALIA

Skip Pizza Hut and get Pizzeria Italia on your speed dial for a yummy pizza pie in under 30 minutes. Their 33 pizzas made fresh-to-order, including specialities like their Gamberoni - a thin-crusted margherita pizza with fresh prawns or Fior di Latte with fresh mozzarella cheese are must-tries. Complete the meal with soups, salads, ribs and chicken. Their deliveries by FoodXpress promises no detours, bringing the pies straight to you.
Pizzeria Italia, 43 High Street, Sai Ying Pun, +852 2525 2519


WE ALSO LIKE
* Invisible Kitchen - By the people behind Hong Kong Personal Chef, this is your answer to hosting at home a fresh wholesome dinner without lifting a finger.

* Food Happy - Groovy new snack boxes delivered weekly.

* Koziness - By the people from Dial-A-Dinner and Soho Delivery, this app & site is a trusty ordering-in staple.

* Secret Ingredient - Fresh ingredients chopped and prepared so you can whip-up a meal in no time.

* Don't forget, it's always worth asking your favorite neighborhood restaurant if they deliver!