Add Green Bean Books in Portland, Oregon, To Your Bookstore Bucket List

Green Bean Books store front

Do you have a bucket list? You know, things that you want to do in your lifetime, like go skydiving or eat your way through Italy? I do. It is a bookstore bucket list, and the store at the top is Green Bean Books. Here’s why:

In the words of author and employee, Megan Woodward, “This store is just about as adorable and whimsical as you can get.” They have created a cozy, creative, welcoming space for their target audience – children. Green Bean Books is a children’s only bookstore – board book through middle grade – no YA, no adult.

Because this is a children’s store, I am going to borrow a fairy tale troupe and share with you three lists of three: 3 things that make Green Bean Books special, 3 things you can do at the store, and 3 things bookstore owners wish you knew.

3 Things That Make Green Bean Books Special

1. Earl. Earl has worked at Green Bean Books so long that adults come in and tell him thank you for books he recommended when they were children. If you give Earl a tiny bit of information about books you like, he’ll offer dozens of recommendations. Everyone knows him. Everyone remembers him. And having the opportunity to thank Earl for finding you a book to love would be a gift.
   

   Alan Gratz stopped in to sign a stack.

2. Creative Visual Décor. The store is decorated with hand crafted signs, shelf talkers, and a diorama that the owner makes and changes out several times a year to go with a new book.
3. Local Authors. Want a signed copy of the latest Alan Gratz book? They have a whole shelf of signed books waiting for you. Want to request a school visit from Aaron Steinke? You just might find him on the outdoor covered deck sharing art with fans. Green Bean books can coordinate school visits and provide copies to sign at events.

3 Things You Can Do At the Store

1. Make a four-legged friend. The store hosts a therapy dog once a month. Children can stop by and read aloud to judgement-free, furry encouragement.
2. Find a reading community. Younger readers can attend a weekly themed story time (11 am on Tuesdays) or monthly Spanish story time. Older readers can join the middle grade book club. Once a month the group reads to discuss middle grade books they love. Club members can take home ARC copies to review and write “shelf talkers” of their favorites to put in the store.
3. Donate to charity. Over the holidays, the store charges $1 to wrap a gift and donates the proceeds to charity. They also offer the opportunity for customers to buy a book to donate to a child in the Randall Children’s Hospital.

Author Megan Woodward leads the middle grade readers club.

3 Things Bookstore Owners (Not Just Green Bean Books!) Wish You Knew

1. Independent booksellers cannot compete with Amazon prices. Resist the temptation to buy from the big box giants and support your local indie. And your local library!
   

   Which finger puppet is calling to you?

2. A bookstore is not a playground. It is a place for children to enjoy but not a place for them to be wild. If your child pulls books off shelves and tosses toys, please pick up after them. And if you don’t know where the book was shelved, hand it to an employee because boy is it difficult to keep shelves organized!
3. Spoiler alert – bookstore employees are wild about books! They are huge fans, very knowledgeable, and love to help. Just ask!

Oh, and one last recommendation should you be lucky enough to visit Green Bean Books: check out the repurposed cigarette machine. I think the owner crafted a hand made finger puppet that is perfect for you.

Emily Starr

When Emily Starr was six, she grabbed her small red suitcase and stomped through the kitchen, announcing her plans to run away. The suitcase’s flimsy latch promptly popped open revealing its contents–air. Thankfully, Emily grew-up to be a planner like Claudia. For nearly two decades, she has worked with experts, authors, and educators to develop science curriculum and professional development resources for her company, StarrMatica. As a former elementary teacher, her specialty is helping educators to incorporate scientific thinking and an engineering mindset into daily classroom routines using picture books.

Emily is a reluctant daredevil, joining her husband in sky diving, cliff jumping, white water rafting, and hundreds of scuba diving adventures including diving with sharks. But, Emily’s favorite thing to do is read and write STEM-themed nonfiction picture books (and middle-grade!) Emily lives in Iowa where she enjoys exploring nature with her two boys, and she holds her library’s record for the most books checked out at one time–185!

Emily is a member of the Iowa State Science Leadership Team and a reviewer for NSTA's journal Science and Children. She has received five highly competitive Small Business Innovation Research grants, the Prometheus Award, District Administration's Top Products Award, and the Iowa Entrepreneur of the Year Award. You can learn more about Emily’s work on StarrMatica.com