I love this little book store they have so many cute children's books here. They also carry great gifts to buy and they have been there for many years. It is very well organized and has many classic books that you might not find at the larger book stores and there is outdoor seating too which is nice. There are also a few restaurants all along the side of the street and you can walk further down to the other shops and you will find many things to do in this nice shopping district. read more

I grew up at Once Upon A Time literally. It is the place where I learned to love books as a source of information, pleasure, education and relaxation. The original owner Jane saw me grow up and always greeted me by name when I would enter her store. It was better than home. I always felt that I entered a magical world when I entered Once Upon A Time. The world has changed. There is Amazon, and truly Once Upon A Time is primarily a children's bookstore. At a time when there was no Yelp and when Jane, the original owner, greeted me as if I were her own daughter and introduced me to wonderful books, I would have given Once Upon A Time 10 stars. Last night I visited looking for an adult cozy mystery, mentioned I was a lifetime customer to the (relatively) new owner, and she helped me. However, I think I bothered her or something. It's still a special store and I applaud the second owner for keeping it going, but I no longer have a special place of refuge, like I once did, at Once Upon A Time. It may be because of Amazon, and for that I plead guilty as a customer. Amazon must be a thorn in the side of all independent booksellers. I will still buy books there though. It's just not the same. read more

I'll preface this review by stating that I used to work there as a high schooler, so I'm pretty biased. That being said, allow me to share my knowledge of this delightful little place with you. The owner, Maureen, bought the store from the longtime owner 10 or so years ago, and maintained its local bookstore feel. It's literally a mom and pop shop, as she runs the store with the help of her family. I have found some of my favorite books through her recommendations (as well as her staff's), and came in often even after my tenure there ended, because even though it's primarily a children's store, there is a very targeted and interesting selection of adults' books available. If you have kids, it's a fantastic place to take them to search for a book they'll actually read for fun (Twilight, while a great moneymaker, doesn't count). There have been book signings with many prominent authors, as well as Harry Potter launch parties. That's the difference between a local independent bookstore and the big box stores that shall not be named. Tell me which option sounds more appealing: - You park at a mall, walk a block or two to Corporate Bookstore (TM), climb up three floors past the cds and dvds, get a hilariously overpriced book and buy it from a jaded dude who talks in a monotone. - You walk in from a Farmer's Market on Sunday, ask for a recommendation for the most interesting new novel, casually browse through the selection in a compact, comfortable setting, pet the resident cat, and buy a book from a store with a soul. Take your pick. read more

Such an amazing little bookstore! Went in last night to do some Christmas shopping and the staff was wonderful. Not only did they start wrapping all my gifts as I picked them out, but they asked me who each one was to and labeled each beautifully wrapped gift for me so that by the time I was done shopping everything was ready for me. The owner gave me some fantastic book recommendations-- her energy and love of her hand-picked stock is contagious! I had had a rough day and visiting Once Upon A Time was the true meaning of shop therapy. No way Amazon Prime can compete with that! Thank you! read more

I've been shopping at this charming bookstore for many years, and as a tutor for dyslexic kids, I love giving books and gift cards to my students as Christmas gifts. Maureen Palacios is the owner and she was so helpful this morning as I struggled to find just the right book for each of my students. She is vastly familiar with her inventory, and helped me make the perfect selection for each kid that I described to her. Imagine my surprise when she told me I would be getting one of the books for free because I had reached $200 over a period of time shopping in the store! She then wrapped each book, saving me the time. I hope we will not forget about the independent bookstore, please drop in, take your kids. There's even books for grown ups, and if it isn't in stock, they'll gladly order it for you. I'm sad that books are going away, as we enjoy our Kindles and other devices. There's nothing as satisfying as browsing through a small, independent store, where you get such wonderful personal service. read more

I love this bookstore!! The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly and there is even a kid's play area where your kids can play while you shop for books. They will help you find the perfect book for kids on your list. It is also on a really cute street in Montrose and well worth the drive.They also have great author appearances and events. So much more fun than shopping on Amazon! read more

I remember these guys back in the day when they were at the corner. They have a great selection of kids books at fair prices. I can't wait to bring my little rugrat here and let her pick a book or two. Books are sooo much better than ebooks. read more

Nice enough bookstore and very charming. Kids absolutely love this place. Some items can be pricey but overall I find the value is pretty good and selection is abundant. read more

Great bookstore! I have been shopping at this store for over 32 years. Love it and keep coming back for books for grandkids. The owner recommended a great book for my 10 year old grandson and he loves it, it is his favorite book, it was spot on for his age and a boys interest. read more

Love, Montrose and everything about the downtown area. It's our Sunday, family spot (restaurant and farmer's market)...then this bookstore, one of my 6-year-old's favorite places! Staff is friendly, extremely helpful, and very patient! read more

Wonderful service, and nice books selections. It's a great little family owned bookstore.

We love this store!!! My mother used to take me and now I take my kids all the time. The staff is great and so helpful, always happy to stop what they're doing to help and give lengthy reviews. Plus, they'll order any book you want with no charge for shipping. Book signings and book groups too. Support local businesses!!!! read more

This is such a cute book store! It is a little small and cramped but they have TONS of kids books :) and good authors too. I wasn't too impressed with the adult section but, the store doesn't really promote adult reading as much as child reading if that makes sense. It is super mom and pop too which I personally love! Priced really well. read more

what a unique gem of a bookstore this is! although you can most likely find anything on amazon these days, my family and i love to support this place - you can tell the owner is passionate about her store and it shows throughout the place. read more

Love this book store, feels like your a little kid again filled with excitement and Imagination . Such Sweet people that work here too

This amazing book store is the 'Shop Around The Corner'. Not only is it adorable, it is packed with a lot of great books. Wonderfully designed with great painted murals on the walls. Friendly service and smiling customers. It has signing of best sellers as well as story time, Pajama Parties and more. I love this shop. I am so fortunate to have my Children's Book Writers and Illustrators SCHMOOZE group here once a mo. Look for us every 3rd Thursday in the evenings from 630-830pm. A big thank you to Maureen! read more

Absolutely a gem! Best children's bookshop in Los Angeles, maybe the world. Staff is super helpful & friendly, plus they have frequently host booksignings (with big names!) and sell many autographed books. Also, you can order books on their website & pick up in store. Take that, Amazon! Also, there is a huge free parking lot very close by, on Florencita (behind the Black Cow). read more

Best little book store in Montrose . They are so accommodating and their children books selection are wonderful .

I just love this shop! It has a wonderful selection of children's books. It's great for gifts since they will even wrap them for you. They have such awesome wrapping too...just got a gift recently and picked cute hedgehog paper. I have often bought books with matching animal puppets for my little one. Very unique items in this shop...recently discovered to most incredible pop up books on a shelf. The autographed books are my favorite and the customer service is great! Oh, and they have a rewards program...I can't remember but I believe if you spend $200, you get a $20 credit. I just recently reached mine and was able to use the $20 to buy something for myself. read more

Just returned from the store with books for our grandkids. What a wealth of options. Thank goodness for Independent booksellers! If we didn't live so far away, we'd be back for new books regularly. read more

This is my favorite bookstore ever. The staff is super friendly and helpful, they can get you anything you want if it isn't in the store. They are great at recommending books for gifts as well. This store has a lot of seasonal items as well. They also have book clubs and signings and other events. read more

The people that work there really know their books. They give great recommendations and the store is really well set up for browsing. This is exactly what a children's bookstore should be. read more

Once Upon A Time has a great selection and it's new location in between all the restaurants is even better than it's old one across the street. The sales staff is very helpful and I've been getting great recommendations for presents for others and books for myself there for years. read more

Love this bookstore and have been shopping there for more than 30 years. They have children's books in Spanish as well as English, and customer service is excellent. When Jane, who opened the bookstore in the '60's, sold the store to Maureen 12 years ago, she did us all a service in finding someone as enthusiastic about books as she was. read more

One of the best children's bookstores in the entire country. Large selection, and friendly, knowledgeable staff. (Montrose is close to where the 2 and the 210 Freeways meet.) read more

The deserve a 10!!! This was an amazing experience for my granddaughter who turned 3! She was so excited that Elsa and Cinderella came to her birthday party. The princess, sing and act like they are at Disneyland! I would recommend to everyone and will defiantly have them again for a party! read more

Adorable, quirky little bookstore with very friendly, knowledgeable staff. They host a lot of fun events for kids including author visits with book signings. I would highly recommend stopping by if you're in town :) read more

Hands down, my favorite bookstore! This charming bookstore on the wonderful Honolulu Street is worth a drive. Smart booksellers who know and love books, The place for children's and YA books, but now they also have a selection of top books for adults to the left and right as you enter. Great gifts - I've bought some fun stationary items, puppets, baby gifts, perfect holiday gifts and stocking stuffers. They do lots of special free events for kids. And they'll order a book if they don't have it. Park in the large lot (enter between the Black Cow and an Italian restaurant) or bring dimes for the meters because you'll spend more time in here than you imagined. Yeah, I love this place. read more

Best little bookstore ever! Great, friendly, knowledgable staff. Mostly children's and young adult books, but something for everyone here. I think it is also the oldest independent bookstore in state. I can easily spend the afternoon in this little gem of a store. read more

I love this bookstore!! The staff is incredibly helpful and friendly and there is even a kid's play area where your kids can play while you shop for books. They will help you find the perfect book for kids on your list. It is also on a really cute street in Montrose and well worth the drive.They also have great author appearances and events. So much more fun than shopping on Amazon! read more

Small, charming business! I've been in a couple times. One time I was looking for a specific book for a baby shower - they were super helpful and if I hadn't procrastinated til the day of, they would have been able to get the book for me (I didn't end up finding my book of choice anywhere, even at big box stores - so it had nothing to do with them being a small business). Came in again for Christmas presents for my mom. They were GREAT! I looked a little without being bothered and then decided to ask for some recommendations. They went above and beyond to find books my mom would love. Every staff member was able to pitch in ideas for my mom and I was so very pleased (when you have 4 people interjecting across the store about how great a book is, it really inspires confidence in buying it!) Their prices are good and they have an email club with rewards, etc. I think they'll order and ship books to you, get books signed if you can't make it to a signing, etc. The epitome of small business greatness! I haven't been able to read as much since I'm in school right now, but I will be buying books from them from now on...no more big box book stores for me. Go! You won't regret it. I would DEFINITELY recommend this bookstore to everyone. read more

I love this bookstore. Cute, lots of fun, activities for all and you can order any books you want and get them faster than amazon. Wow!!

One of the last little bookstores! Friendly staff Often teachers or librarians:) Good selection for all ages:)

OK so we've been going to that bookstore for a long time always browsing often buying their overpriced items. Last time I spent almost $40 on some sticker books and a couple of $2 toys for my 3 and 5 year old. My 3 year old daughters toy fell apart immediately and I wanted to go back in and BUY another one. When I got there the lady behind the register was questioning me about the toy, if I had it, had it just broken or did my daughter break it. I told her I'm not worried about it , it's just a couple of bucks and I would pay for it again. However I did not have enough cash on me as I pay for everything with plastic, I was literally one dollar short. My daughter was already playing with the toy when the lady informed me she could not take my card because there was a $10.00 limit. She told me there was an ATM 2 blocks up. I was in disbelief that she watched on as I had to take the toy away from my 3 year old who was standing there crying. I asked her could she please make an exception, then she lectured me that it would cost the store more to accept my credit card than the toy was worth. All the while I'm thinking just give it to me or except my dollar-------nothing. As I walked out with my crying 3 year old, I told her she had lost a lot more money than just a few bucks as I will never go into their pridefully named "oldest children's bookstore in America". I was disgusted by the actions of this employee while all the others just stood around in agreement with the policy. read more

I'm very surprised that this bookstore has generated so many great ratings. No doubt that the store looks charming, but the service is terrible and the staff is very rude. I actually won't even consider shopping there anymore, which is a shame because it has great books. read more

I go here all the time for birthday presents for children. All I do is tell the owner the gender/age of the child and they pick a PERFECT present in my price range. They also gift wrap it beautifully for free. Makes my life so easy! read more

It is always a pleasure to know that a little bookstore like this exists in our community. I can always find the perfect books. The staff is always helpful in guiding me to find what I am looking for. My grandkids always love it when we visit this store because they walk away with wonderful books. read more

I used to shop at this store years ago when Jane owned it and my children were little. We came in every couple of weeks and I let my children pick out 3 books each. This went on for years until they got into high school. I now have grandchildren and my son wanted me to get a copy of his favorite book for my grandsons 1st bithday. Well my first thought was this store (I am all for supporting independent bookstores, too few around). I went in and found they no longer carry the book, so I asked them to order it, no problem. They called on a Thursday night that the book was in. I called on Friday and told them I would be in on Saturday to pick it up, they said fine and told me what their hours were. I went on Saturday and found the store locked! but workers inside. I knocked and someone opened the door a crack and said they were closed for inventory count. I explained what I had been told the day before and the woman proceded to give me grief about how rude I was to want to come in while they were closed and how they had work to do. (mind you I don't live close by and have to drive about 30 min to get to this store) After a bunch of complaining she let me in to get the book. Then to top it off when I went to pay they told me I could only pay in cash, well that was it, I will never go back and I don't recommend this store to anyone and I have a lot of friends with grandchildren who love to buy books for them. Oh well their lose for crummy customer service (by the way it was the owner who "helped" me, Ha. read more