One of the best things about being a Macaroni KID publisher is meeting all of the amazing small business owners in our cities and towns. They are so dialed into the community - they create amazing spaces, sponsor important events and genuinely try to make a positive impact on their neighboring areas. And they do this with smiles on their faces. I'm so happy to share that Moon & Back Bookstore in West Medford is officially open for business. I got a preview of the store with some other families last week and while leaving the store, my son's first question was if we could go back tomorrow (and everyday thereafter)! It's really a wonderful spot.
To celebrate this occasion, I asked the owner, Michelle Smith, five questions we should all know about Moon & Back. If you tear up reading this, you're not alone. I was so moved by these thoughtful responses. Enjoy!
1. Why did you choose the name "Moon and Back" and when is the grand opening? And, what's the official address?
Stemming from Sam McBratney's famous book Guess How Much I Love You, I always ask my boys "Do you know how much I love you?" and follow it up with "to the moon and back." They hear this so often that when my youngest was one, his very first phrase was "moon and back!"
The Grand Opening celebrations start Thursday 2/13 through Saturday 2/15! Thursday, February 13th (11 am-6 pm) at 3:30 pm we'll do a ribbon cutting with the Medford Chamber of Commerce, followed by storytime with special guest reader Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn. Friday and Saturday we'll spread the love with treats, raffles, freebies, and fun!
We are at 458 High Street in Medford - conveniently right across the street from CB Scoops (ice cream!).
2. What inspired you to open a children's bookstore?
I recognized the need for a children's bookstore in this area and decided that I could do it myself, and that I could do it in a way that aligns with my values and aspirations for the kind of community I want to be a part of. I took to heart the Gandhi inspired quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."
3. What types of books or themes do you plan to focus on, and how do you decide what to include in your collection?
I honestly started by looking at our home collection and built it from there -- you'll notice the dinosaur collection is not to be beat (we have LOTS of experience hunting out dinosaur books for our sons)! To make sure there will be books for all kids to be excited about, I connected with our local librarians here at the Medford library, as well as elementary and middle school librarians. Picking out the books has been so fun, and I expect it will evolve and change as we find our footing and figure out what the community is looking for.
4. Will you host any special events or activities like storytime, book clubs, or author visits?
Yes, we will absolutely do storytimes! We'll start with weekly storytimes and add additional storytimes for special events, holidays, etc. We will plan to host author events and book clubs once we get our feet wet. And we'll also offer the space for private parties on Sundays (birthday parties and baby showers!).
5. What’s the one book you think every child should have on their shelf, and why?
I think it has to be Brown Bear, Brown Bear for me. It's such a classic, and no matter your background, culture, values-- it's simply perfect. Who doesn't love colors and animals!? The repetition is perfect for kids learning to talk and/or to read.
