There are so many great bookstores in the Ann Arbor area. We’ve rounded up both general interest and specialty book stores that offer books for kids and teens.
In addition to these book shops, you can also find a smaller selection of children’s books at boutiques, toy shops, and gift shops. For example, look for books at places like My Urban Toddler, The Little Seedling, Mudpuddles, or Rock Paper Scissors.
Ann Arbor’s General Bookstores
When we asked our Facebook followers their favorite bookstores to find kids books, there were 2 clear leaders – Schuler’s Books (with many referencing their original name as Nicola’s) and Literati.
Vault of Midnight
Graphic Novels are a great option for many reluctant readers! Check out their extensive selection of graphic novels and comic books.
Location: 219 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Vault of Midnight is a great local comic book store and has a great selection of graphic novels and related books.
They have a whole wall dedicated to kids books. We love shopping their game selection in the basement as well. If you are interested in role playing games, they are an option for game related books.
Don’t miss the Free Comic Book Day in May and Free Spooky Comic Book Day in October!!
Upcoming Events at Vault of Midnight
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:30am – Jumpstart Storytime
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:00am – Preschool Art Start
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:00am – Preschool Storytimes
Monday, March 9 11:00am-2:30pm – Open Skate
Booksweet
Location: 1729 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA
Booksweet is located in the Courtyard Shops on Plymouth Rd. They are an independent bookseller.
The store transitioned to new owners in summer 2024. Since the transition, they do not run many events for kids and families.
Upcoming Events at Booksweet
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:30am – Jumpstart Storytime
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:00am – Preschool Art Start
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:00am – Preschool Storytimes
Monday, March 9 11:00am-2:30pm – Open Skate
Literati Bookstore
Make sure to stop by the typewriter and leave a note!
Location: 124 E Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Literati is Ann Arbor’s downtown bookstore. Stop by and visit them when you are visiting downtown.
Head upstairs and be inspired by the kids section. While you are there, don’t forget to leave a note on the typewriter.
Literati holds frequent author events and book clubs. However, most of their events are for adults.
Upcoming Events at Literati Bookstore
Schuler’s Books
Check out their expanded children’s wing, but make sure to leave time to shop the gift section for games, puzzles, and more.
Location: 2513 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, USA
Located in Westgate Shopping Center, Schuler Books has long been an Ann Arbor staple – previously operating as Nicola’s Books. They were purchased by Schuler Books in 2014 and changed their name in 2022. More recently, they expanded their children’s area into the space formerly occupied by Old Siam restaurant. The orignial children’s area was replaced with a used books section.
In addition to their books, we have found Schuler’s Books to have a selection of games, puzzles, and various gifts.
Upcoming Events at Schuler’s Books
Saturday, March 21 11:00am-11:30am – Storytime
Saturday, March 28 11:00am-11:30am – Storytime
Saturday, March 28 1:00pm-3:00pm – Bring Your Own Book Club
Saturday, April 4 11:00am-11:30am – Storytime
General Bookstores Beyond Ann Arbor
There are plenty of options beyond Ann Arbor as well. Don’t forget to checkout book stores in surrounding towns like Dexter, Saline, Chelsea, and Milan.
Fine Print Bookshop
After picking up your books, stop in at Carrigan Cafe for drinks and pastries while you start reading your new books.
Location: 109 E Michigan Ave, Saline, MI 48176, USA
Saline’s Fine Print Bookshop has a mission to build a community around reading and a love of books.
Upcoming Events at Fine Print Bookshop
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:30am – Jumpstart Storytime
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:00am – Preschool Art Start
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:00am – Preschool Storytimes
Monday, March 9 11:00am-2:30pm – Open Skate
Courageous Books
Check out the Newest Bookshop in the area – Opened September 2025
Location: 8063 Main St, Dexter, MI 48130, USA
Courageous Books brings an independent local bookstore to downtown Dexter.
Check out their weekly storytime on Friday mornings and other events.
Upcoming Events at Courageous Books
Friday, March 13 10:30am – Storytime Fridays
Friday, March 13 10:30am – Storytime Fridays
Friday, March 20 10:30am – Storytime Fridays
Friday, March 20 10:30am – Storytime Fridays
Adventure, Ink
Books ✅ Comics ✅ Games ✅ Locally Made Gifts✅
Location: 108 E Main St, Milan, MI 48160, USA
Adventure Ink is Milan’s independent bookstore. They are an eclectic mix of new & used books, comics and games.
Upcoming Events at Adventure, Ink
Serendipity Books
When they moved to their new location in 2025 the community formed a book brigade to pass books from the old location to the new. Be sure to check out their staff picks showcased in a nook in the brickwork.
Location: 119 S Main St, Chelsea, MI 48118, USA
Chelsea’s Serendipity Books
Upcoming Events at Serendipity Books
Specialty Bookstores Near Ann Arbor
There are a number of specialty bookstores near Ann Arbor, However, we have focused our list on those that have a sizable collection for children including comic shops. This has meant that Ann Arbor bookstores like Dawn Treader Book Shop, Crazy Wisdom, and West Side Book shop have not made our list.
Secret Crisis Comics
Secret Crisis Comics is a great option for those looking for comics, games, and collectibles.
Location: 1165 S Main St, Chelsea, MI 48118, USA
Chelsea’s Secret Crisis Comics offers comics, manga, and graphic novels.
Plus, don’t miss their selection of games and collectibles.
Upcoming Events at Secret Crisis Comics
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:30am – Jumpstart Storytime
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:00am – Preschool Art Start
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:00am – Preschool Storytimes
Monday, March 9 11:00am-2:30pm – Open Skate
Fun 4 All Comics & Games
Shop for comic books and graphic novels.
Location: 3773 Carpenter Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, USA
Fun 4 All Comics & Games offers a selection of comics, graphic novels, and books for role playing games.
They are an annual participant in Free Comic Book Day in May.
Upcoming Events at Fun 4 All Comics & Games
Adventure, Ink
Books ✅ Comics ✅ Games ✅ Locally Made Gifts✅
Location: 108 E Main St, Milan, MI 48160, USA
Adventure Ink is Milan’s independent bookstore. They are an eclectic mix of new & used books, comics and games.
Upcoming Events at Adventure, Ink
Blackstone Bookstore & Cultural Center
Blackstone Bookstore has created a space in Ypsilanti to center Black Stories, Black History, and Black Imagination.
Location: 214 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, USA
Check out all of their books both fiction and non-fiction that celebrate Black Stories and Histories.
Stop in to celebrate Black Culture and let your child find a whole collection of books that center Blackness.
Upcoming Events at Blackstone Bookstore & Cultural Center
Vault of Midnight
Graphic Novels are a great option for many reluctant readers! Check out their extensive selection of graphic novels and comic books.
Location: 219 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Vault of Midnight is a great local comic book store and has a great selection of graphic novels and related books.
They have a whole wall dedicated to kids books. We love shopping their game selection in the basement as well. If you are interested in role playing games, they are an option for game related books.
Don’t miss the Free Comic Book Day in May and Free Spooky Comic Book Day in October!!
Upcoming Events at Vault of Midnight
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:30am – Jumpstart Storytime
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:00am – Preschool Art Start
Monday, March 9 10:30am-11:00am – Preschool Storytimes
Monday, March 9 11:00am-2:30pm – Open Skate
