Happy Holidays to all yinz, and welcome to the 12 Days of Indies! My name is Joy Givens, and I’m here to make your December merry and bright by highlighting one of Pittsburgh’s fabulous independent bookstores each day, December 1-12. Keep reading to learn all about today’s featured bookstore, and check back daily for new store profiles, fun tidbits, ordering information, and more!
Day 6
On the sixth day of indies, I invite you to shop for the child in your life or the child in your heart at Pittsburgh’s only children’s bookstore, a cozy shop in Aspinwall: Spark Books! This beautiful store feels like the kind of haven only childhood can bring, with soft décor, warm lighting, and spaces where kids can sit and check out their latest treasures. In addition to all categories of children’s books (board books through young adult), Spark Books stocks toys, puzzles, games, and art supplies.
Right now, the communal toys and craft table are out of service, but during non-pandemic times, Spark Books also makes a great meeting place, especially for patrons with young children. You can shop in person during regular store hours (one household in the store at a time), or you can email the store to arrange a shopping appointment in the evenings or on Sundays. Online shopping is available, both for a wide catalog of books and for subscription boxes to keep your young readers turning pages for months to come.
Spark Books is an especially great place to find exciting new books by Pittsburgh-based children’s authors like Caroline Carlson, Jonathan Auxier, and Nick Courage. While you’re shopping local, why not read local, too?
If you’re looking for the entertainment, escapism, and life-affirming imagination that only children’s literature can provide, then Spark Books should be at the top of your nice list!
STORE DETAILS
Spark Books
14 Brilliant Avenue, Aspinwall, PA 15215
(412) 781-1987
Current Store Hours: Tue-Sat 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Sun 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Closed Mon)
https://sparkbookspgh.indielite.org/
https://www.facebook.com/sparkbookspittsburgh/
https://www.instagram.com/sparkbookspgh/
Joy Givens is a pun-slinging, hymn-singing storyteller and the lucky mother of two small superheroes. She has published several award-winning short stories and writes children’s and YA fiction to celebrate the fresh, fierce, fantastic side of life. Raised in a big Midwestern family, Joy now lives in the blossoming literary community of Pittsburgh, where she is a proud leadership team member of Pennwriters (www.pennwriters.org) and the PA West region of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (www.wpa.scbwi.org).
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