Alphabet Soup

I’ve had a gift certificate for almost two years and have not been able to use it because they are never open. I’ve driven there from the eastside four times on days and hours they posted as business hours; each time there was a sign that said they were closed. Not a very good business model I’m afraid.

Our favorite local kids bookstore! We are all so lucky it is there and the staff are friendly and helpful.

A tiny bookstore
It’s a cute kids books store. The staff was helpful and they wrapped the book we bought.

No customer service. Was ignored when shopping for 10 books and when asking a question. Took a very long time to check out and employee blamed Seattle, then owner, then the fact that they couldn’t afford it for the fact that they had no bags. They could afford gift wrap though. Terrible experience.

I was on vacation in Seattle recently. I was looking for a gift for a young child and wanted to get some books. I found Alphabet Soup on Unilocal — what a GREAT find! This is a charming children’s bookstore! They carry excellent books from board books for toddlers and older children. They have thoughtfully set up the store so it is very inviting. I could have stayed in this shop for hours. I look forward to coming back!

Called to make sure they’re open before noon. Phone just rings and rings. Must be out of business.

I love this place. Great selection including all of my favorites from my own childhood (The Black Cauldron!).

Great little bookstore with both new and used children’s books. It’s well organized, affordable, clean, and friendly. I love supporting local establishments and really hope this place makes it!

Wonderful little bookstore for kids (and they have some adult books as well). The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, there is a tremendous selection and great prices. It’s an easy place to get lost with your kid for a while and then go up the street to Fainting Goat for ice cream. Special bonus, they have a small section of foreign language books. I was looking for some German books and they had a really nice selection with new items every few months.

This place is a gem – I love it! They have a great selection of current and vintage kids’ books, and even a small section of adult books. It is very cozy, fun, and welcoming. I could browse here all day! I’ve consigned here too and the owner is a pleasure to work with.

This store is still amazing and continues to innovate and expand its offerings. On this latest sojourn, I noticed they are now selling books in sets by series (new and used)! Prices are excellent — get a great deal for the kid in your life who is into Magic Treehouse or Sisters Grimm.
A real destination shop if you’re a children’s book collector or have young bibliophiles (or wish to inspire some).

This is a great place to find books on a certain theme. Very well organized shelves. Good resource for teachers.

I was completely floored by this bookstore, and I worked in a used/​rare bookstore for 10 years… They know their stock, stock it well, price it right, and carry an excellent balance of new and used.
The best part? They carry a whole Edward Gorey shelf and have a small collection of Richard Scarry and Serendipity books.

I buy books — a LOT of books. y 15 month old already has well over 200 books. I refuse to buy them new when used books are so often in such good condition and 15 minutes with a toddler can make any book «used — well used». Over half of this store’s inventory is made up of used hardcover children’s books. Their books are in beautiful condition — often virtually brand new. They have a wonderful selection that is constantly changing and updating. The prices are reasonable when compared to buying used books on Amazon or at other used book stores. There is such a large selection that you should give yourself plenty of time to look. It is divided up nicely inside into categories including «caldecott winners, board books, books about holidays, books about your body, books about growing up, getting a little sibling, manners, etc.» The store itself is very cute from the sign outside to the cozy feel inside. My only complaint with the store is with the staff that sometimes seems uninterested and more focused on playing on the computer than in helping customers. This store also offers new books.

This is my favorite children’s bookstore ! ! While I don’t have kids, I have a ton of kids in my life that I buy books, books, and more books for. That being said, I can’t say enough positive things about this place, but here is a partial list:
1) The atmosphere: Super cute, d.i.y aesthetic. Magical, even. There’s something about it that brings out the kid in me– I’ve never gone in this place and not have it change my mood to one that involves an eager-​to-​read grin.
2) There are concerts from time-​to-​time by bands that make music for kids. But not the boring, yawn-​o type.
3) The owner is sweet and generous. She has contests from time to time where kids can win a $ 50 gift certificate to the store. That rules.
4) The books at the store are awesome. It’s not the typical limitation of Beatrix Potter and Peter Pan stories (although those are in there, I’m sure), but books in non-​English languages, great non-​fiction picture books, cool-​looking new series titles, and even rare-​er versions of your favorites. (I found a great copy of Harriet the Spy here!)
5) The prices are INCREDIBLY reasonable!
Overall, this place is great and if I could get away with living in it, I probably would!

I love this little book store. The owner is very knowledgeable and personable. The collections of kids books is extensive. Used books are in very good condition and pricing is reasonable/​fair. I like to support private business. They have a book credit/​trade program that allows you to bring in used kids books in good to excellent condition and turn around the credit you receive (50% of what she believes she can sell the book for) to purchase books in the shop! She offers readings and other entertainment for kids on the weekend. Wish it were open more often but I get that the hours are based on when business is most likely.

This place is amazing. It has used and new books for a range of child ages and the service is awesome. You will be unable to go into this store and emerge without a book that you hadn’t thought about in years but now are eager to read again and then pass it along to a deserving child.
Been going strong for a couple years now, too. A great addition to Wallingford.
Also: nice original illustrations from books framed on the walls.

I like to buy children’s books for children and also for me. This bookstore is mostly only children’s books and it is an independent local bookstore which is the best place to buy a book! So score!
I got a book here called I AM A LITTLE WHALE by some Frenchman. On the very first page you see that little whale busting out of its mama so you know you’re in for a rollercoaster ride.
I gave that book to a baby. I bet you know a baby who needs some picture books about whales or possibly about hard topics such as divorce which are easier for an adult to address with a picture book. Maybe there could even be a picture book about whales getting a divorce! Oh man! Anyway, this would be the place to find such a book if it existed.

I love supporting this independent business in my neighborhood. I don’t have kids, but I have nephews and a niece who are building up quite the library from their Auntie.
The owner is sweet and you can tell she really likes what she is doing and is passionate about children’s books. They have a small, but great collection of picture books and the used prices are reasonable.
The adult section is small, but the reviews of the books are thoughtfully written and helpful in choosing a book. Again, used prices are reasonable.

Here it is in Wallingford! A kid s book store. This has potential for hit or miss. For me, it’s a miss.
Yes, they have books. Yes, there is a lot of color.
Does the staff make eye contact or listen or know much about the Seattle education or reading scene? Your guess is as good as mine, mine was probably they do. My questions tested that hypothesis to be incorrect.