Blogger: Rachel Kent
I was planning to write on this topic anyway, but now with the news of Family Christian Stores going out of business it is even more relevant. I am very sad to see more bookstores go out of business. Family Christian is the only Christian bookstore in my area–at least that I’m aware of.
I was shopping at Barnes & Noble this week with my children. We ended up purchasing the new Herve Tullet book, Let’s Play!. My daughter loves those books so when she saw the new one she was begging me for it. This is the joy of a bookstore, in my opinion. You discover a great book and are able to pick it up and enjoy it right away. The book wasn’t the only thing my daughter was begging me for though. Barnes & Noble is FILLED with toys now. She is a huge fan of “blind boxes” and “blind bags.” These are the boxes and bags with a surprise toy inside. You don’t know what you get until you open it. Barnes & Noble has nearly every kind of blind box that is available! We left the store with two blind boxes and the book. (Yes, I’m a pushover and I enjoy spoiling her and supporting bookstores.) The store is also filled with stuffed animals and I noticed a large Harry Potter merchandise section.
It makes me a little sad, but I think my daughter thinks of bookstores as toy stores more than as places to buy books. If I say let’s go to the bookstore, I think the first thing she thinks of is all of the toys. I understand why the stores are stocking toys–it’s a big draw for the kids. And parents (parents like me, anyway) don’t always say no. The bookstores need to be able to make ends meet and the toys help them to meet their sales goals. But doesn’t it take away a bit of the magic of a bookstore? It does for me. I want my kids to be excited about getting a new book when I take them to a bookstore. I don’t want to have to ask them to get a book instead of a toy. And my daughter does well when I say no to her, but I’m sure other parents have to deal with temper tantrums when they won’t buy a toy, too. Maybe some parents are less likely to bring their kids with them because of the abundance of toys. And I believe bookstores (and/or libraries) are an important place for kids to explore and to experience.
What do you think about toys in the bookstore? Is it a good thing or not?
When was the last time you were in a local bookstore? Did you see a large number of toys?
Kudos to you, Rachel, for introducing your daughter to the wonders of written words.
*I have a similar feeling when I find more people using computers in the public library than perusing the stacks. I’m glad the computers are there, but I want to shout, “Look around you . . . you’re missing the best!”
*But the library is a quiet place, and I keep my thoughts to myself.
We don’t have a local bookstore in the small town I live in, but I think our library does a good job of keeping the play area at an appropriate level. There is a small section of tables in the middle of the children’s section that contains an educational play area (think puzzles and building or matching games). The focus is on books, which I appreciate, but I also appreciate being able to leave my daughters (who aren’t old enough to read new books to themselves yet) to do a puzzle while I browse for them and for me.
I rather like the idea of toys in bookstores; to my mind the best thing that can happen to ensure their survival is their becoming a modern agora.
* Children mature, and merely the exposure to the literate and literary side of culture will pull them up by its energy and example.
* Now, if only Barnes and Noble would add a selection of fine cigars and a smoking room, my joy would be complete.
I agree with you, Andrew … the toys help develop within them a love for the store when they are probably too little to appreciate books. Once they grow up some and begin to appreciate books, they’ll always have a love for the store and the feel of it. They might not even realize why.
I think I’m okay with it. I like toys or stuffed animals to go with books for kids … kind of adds to the story, makes it special. I love the educational games they carry for kids. Sometimes my girls will receive large gift cards for there, and once one purchased a butterfly kit with her gift card, along with books. It was really fun. And sometimes when I’m there, I’ll need a gift … something to go along with a book. They always have chocolate, especially at Christmas. I guess when I think of B&N, I think of Starbucks … a cozy place … unique gifts. We seldom get to go because the nearest one is 45 minutes away, so that makes it more special when we do get to go.
It is interesting that you chose to write on this today. I was just in a discussion with a friend about this very subject. We have two Family Christian Stores outlets close by, on in my little hometown and another about 20 minutes away. While I am also saddened by the news, I do not accept the premise offered by some that this is due to Amazon.com stealing the Family Christian Stores’ customers. For decades I have watched the quality of the offerings at Family Christian Stores decline, as they moved from being a bookstore to a trinket store. Perhaps I do not represent the average, or majority customer/buyer, but I go there for books. The book offerings that once dominated the floor and shelf space have dwindled down to where it now constitutes about 1/5 of the real estate. For me, at least, that’s what is the heart of the issue.
If selling toys and games keeps a bookstore out of bankruptcy, then it’s a good thing.
*My kids loved going into the Borders kids’ section, but it was always the books, not the toys, that drew them. But if a child wants to go to see the toys and then finds a book to love, that’s helping to grow an adult reader.
Hello Carol. Isn’t the fact the FBS is going under in a state of bankruptcy pretty strong evidence that the non-book stock was ineffective at preventing the bankruptcy? I may be completely misreading the situation…
It’s not just toys. All the bookstores in our town have closed except one that sells second hand books. But, before closing, the others had carried more and more things like figurines and even some jewelry. I guess most people buy their books online now. Even Amazon started out selling books, but now carry almost anything. However I’ve heard more people are buying hard copy books than they were a few years ago.
I don’t mind a small amount of toys in the book store. There’s a shop here called Think Play that does crazy amounts of business with educational toys, and a few books too. Mostly science-y stuff.
But I’d always tell my sweet angels that if they wanted 4 books, I’d buy them. Anything else, like toys? They paid for it. Funny how Lego was pretty much all they’d splurge on.
Oh, and a parenting tip to save for later? A few of our kids liked to save their money at home and didn’t like the concept of it vapourizing when Dad said he’d put it in the bank. So, after listening to #3 beg to buy a Lego something-or-other, I took the 5 twenty dollar bills that he was loose and careless with, and not so aware of their value, and got a 100$ bill. Well, that changed everything! 100$??
It was years before he spent it, and it was on something substantial and grown-up ish.
I agree. Bookstores should focus on books. However, I do love those little stuffed storybook characters that go with their books. I have the mini characters set all around my library. Like Olivia the Pig, the overall-clad mouse with his cookie (When You Give a Mouse a Cookie), Angelina Ballerina and all the Wild Things. They are a fun visual of these adorable classic children’s books. Needless to say, we are big fans of children’s books. But to your point … books should be the main attraction. And I do so miss all the indie bookstores…..
Yes, it takes some of the magic away for me as well. But we are getting used to it. The Scholastic catalogs that come home with the boys are filled with toys as well and so when I say that they may pick something from the scholastic catalog or we walk into a book store, I let them know first thing “We’re just looking at books today.” This works easier when they are older than 2 though! But I’d rather the stores be in business with toys than totally gone.
I think B&N is on to smart marketing. We had a Christian book store (independent) in our city for years that ended up closing. The owner refused to stock more than books, music and dvd’s. He wanted a bookstore. Those Indie stores that survive are willing to expand their merchandise. Books are still the main draw. But even we adults love our “playtime” when Starbucks offers us our favorite latte while looking at books. Books aren’t going away. But stores that don’t adapt to the changing market may…unfortunately.
I’m very sympathetic toward any bookstore trying to survive in the brave new world of retail and publishing. I’m a strong supporter of my local Barnes and Noble not only because they are superb at supporting local authors but also because they give back to the community in many wonderful ways–not the least of which is providing jobs. I want them in my community, and if selling toys (and ridiculously expensive coffee) makes that happen … I’ll be there buying.
I’m all in favor of toys, etc that help market a particular book. We still have the Runaway Bunny and it’s stuffed companion.
It was always the library for us when I was a child. I wasn’t exposed to bookstores until I was a teen (and then it was marvelously weird and strange used bookstores). But our house was always full of books, and none were off limits.
*
If toys and other merchandise is what it takes to keep bookstores open, I’m all for it.
Our independently owned Christian bookstore stocks more gifts/cards/jewelry/baby toys, etc. than books … but I don’t care. All of these things keep her in business, and the store is a haven. I do much of my gift-shopping there to help support her. And she always hosts a book signing when I have a new release.
I agree with you Rachel. A few book-related toys are fine, but bookstores are turning into gift stores nowadays. I am sad about the loss of our Family Christian bookstore too. There used to four or five Christian bookstores here when I first moved to town.
Rachel,
I’m sorry to hear Family Christian Stores is going out of business. There is a store about twelve miles from here. When I worked in that area, I stopped there a lot. I bought quite a few books and CDs from them. One reason I liked going there was the peaceful, calm atmosphere.
Over the years, things changed. The calm atmosphere slowly evaporated. There seemed to be increased stress and pressure on the employees. The emphasis on books, CDs and DVDs decreased, with a parallel increase in small Christian novelties. When I walked into the store the front looked crowded, and the offerings were better suited to a store with a different image than the one I had of Family Christian.
* I think of a man who worked for the store I shopped at. He was always kind, pleasant and knowledgeable. He worked there for years. I hope he can find another job soon, where he can put his experience to work and be paid well enough for it.
It’s sad to say, I haven’t been in a bookstore in a very long time. I do though go to the library.
Toys in bookstores is a sign of the times, unfortunately. I too think it’s sad though that books just aren’t enough anymore.
Our town, which is overwhelmed by cruise ship passengers in the summer, has a local bookstore with just a handful of Christian books. I’m sure they earn their living in the 3 months of summer by selling regional interest books, calendars, toys, and souvenirs. They are very good year round about ordering any book that a local wants, but it’s easier and usually cheaper to order from Amazon. I don’t begrudge them from doing what they need to do to stay in business because they will rarely have a book that I would buy. They don’t sell latte or fine cigars.
I am grieving the loss of Family Christian Stores. I’ve spent so many wonderful hours browsing books, music, and cards in those stores. When my son was a little Veggie Tales nut, we were thankful for the assortment of Veggie Tales toys they also sold.