The Happy Reading Children’s Bookshop

Shopping

Food & Drink

Family

Founded by a multi-award winning bookseller, this delightful children's literary destination at Staple in Broadstairs is on the quaint and picturesque Reading Street.

The Happy Reading Children's Bookshop is a collaboration with Staple, an artisanal baker and café that uses traditional techniques and seasonal ingredients to create delicious, handmade breads and viennoiseriee pastries. Staple has multiple highly popular cafés across the Isle of Thanet including Broadstairs, Margate, Ramsgate and Westgate-on-Sea.

Located in the historic village of St Peters, just in land from Botany Bay and Joss Bay, the store is 20 minutes walk from Broadstairs Station and free parking is available both on, and at the end of Reading Street.

Outreach with local schools, home educators and other children's services is a priority. In-store events happen regularly, including a free (relaxed) children's storytime on Friday mornings. Teachers receive a 10% discount on books in store with a school ID.

This bookshop is the perfect combination of specialist food and drink, and books!

*Free Storytime Fridays every week 9.30am-10am

Happy Reading Children's Bookshop has been named National Book Tokens' Bookshop of the Month for August 2026, recognising the independent children's bookshop's commitment to connecting local families with books, reading and literary events.

National Book Tokens praised the bookshop for its regular programme of author and illustrator events, book clubs and storytimes, and for its effective use of the National Book Tokens Local platform to help families discover activities and reading inspiration.