PARADISE IN PRINT Petunia's Place is simply a unique oasis of peace in a crowded, cacophonous and overly rushed and commercialized world. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, educator, toddler, young child, or adolescent ~ the experience, activities, advice, guidance, assistance and selections you will find here are unlike those which you will find anywhere else. Imagine a personal mentor and curator with extensive experience in education and children's literature available to show you the very best books on the market.....at highly competitive prices too!! ....Now go over and meet your new Inky BFF ~ or participate in an activity or author event at this wonderful and unique shop. You will be so happy to have discovered Petunia's Place ~ I know that I am!!! read more

Cutest book shop in Fresno! Cute place to buy gifts for children too. Prices are cheaper than Barnes and noble. Support this local shop :)

Had a lot of fun looking through all the books. There was a great selection, lots of kids books from young up to young adult books! Great store! read more

Super cute local bookstore. Good selection of books for children. We went on a Saturday morning where the owner does storytime, music, and crafts. Highly recommend checking this bookstore out and supporting our local bookstore if you have young children. read more

This is a hidden gem where you can buy great books for adults and kids alike. Great customer service !

Tucked away in the Opus 1 shopping center, this small bookstore is more than you might expect. The location is delightful, with a courtyard entry and large corner windows allowing natural light into the shop of delights. There are, of course, books, shelves and shelves of books, mostly children's books. What excites me, though, are the puppets and stuffed animals. I'm always on the lookout for unique such critters for my storytelling gig with the Fresno Police Chaplaincy. This shop, along with its owners, go out of its way to meet your need, whether it be a book or a special character to help tell the story in the book. They also host authors and special events that make a big deal about their main business--BOOKS. How can you not love a place that makes a big deal about books? As an aside, the store does not accept Discover Card for payment so bring your Master or Visa Card. read more

Petunia's Place - Bookstores Near Me - Fresno, California

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Wonderful gem of a local bookstore. So FUN to browse & stumble upon items that would make great stocking stuffers for the littles. Buh-bye, Amazon. Hello, Petunia's Place. Great location in Opus One to hang out, grab a tea at Little Leaf Tea or grab a bite to eat at Little Leaf or the Chinese restaurant also in Opus One. Recently, I called to see if they had a title in stock. They did. I needed two other not-so-common books for school that they did not have in stock, and they patiently and kindly ordered those as well. I later emailed to cancel one book order and asked them to order a different book. Jean responded within an hour or two and accommodated my request. All that to say they've been really accommodating! I'd much rather give my dollars to a local small business owner than a giant conglomerate. Thank you, Petunia's Place. read more

I love this place. I work as a Library tech at a Middle School and there is a amazing selection for our students at Petunia's Place. I would like to thank Amy and Janice for all their help. They are amazing, caring, warm and so welcoming. read more

I've been coming here since I was little. They can help you find the perfect book for your little one. Their book recommendations are our family favorites! read more

Great children's bookstore! Everything was neat, the people working there were helpful and the book titles are current. They also offer a teacher discount if you have your school id. I loved the selection of books! Support local bookstores! read more

The inventory and selection is pretty awesome - would earn a 5 star - but I have to agree with some other reviews that the staff is not thrilled by kids in the store - in this case a precocious 4 year old that wanted to touch everything in site....no love felt by the staff...so the predicament is amazing display that any young child would go crazy on - but within a more for an adult shopping environment - so great place to shop for the kids in your life - maybe leave them at home - I do recommend! read more

I love Petunia's Place and think it's an awesome bookstore, which Fresno needs more of. The folks working here are always very nice and helpful. They love giving you recommendations and will also tell you fun tidbits about books they sell (for example, if an author is local or is scheduled to come visit the bookstore soon). It's a bit small and cramped, but that adds to the fun. They have a good mix of kids books and toys/gifts, so I always stop here to buy presents for my nephews. They also sell teen YA books and some adult fiction. There are tons of parents on here complaining about the store allegedly not being good with kids, which doesn't make sense to me. Every time I go in, I see the employees speaking with kids and offering them recommendations, they seem to love the kids when they're well behaved and respect the books. I also see tons of kids running around, rifling through the pages of books so fast they tear, picking up books and dropping them when they spot something new, etc. Hell, that upsets me too and I'm not even the owner. I don't blame them for being upset when kids do that. This is a locally owned small business, not Barnes and Noble, when books or toys get damaged they take a financial hit which hurts more than when the same happens at Barnes and Noble. Consider that. read more

The one and only store in Fresno if you're in the market for children's and young adult literature. The little old ladies (and I know that sounds derogatory, but they are elderly and they are tiny) can tell you all about every kid's book published in the past 30 years. They know which authors have books coming out in the near future, and if you give them a topic (the Holocaust, haiku about the weather, World War I, Georgie O'Keeffe, just about any damn thing) and an age range you're shooting for, they can immediately rattle off titles and authors. If they don't carry the book, they will immediately offer to order it for you. These ladies are seriously knowledgeable about kiddy lit, and they are passionate about it. Best of all, they are more than willing to share their opinions about titles. If they don't think a book is going to grab kids' attention, or the illustrations are lacking, or the vocabulary is tipped too high or low, they'll be sure to let you know and offer what in their opinion is a more appropriate book. I have discovered some absolute gems through these ladies. The store itself isn't big. It's tucked between a Chinese restaurant and a ladies clothing boutique. But, they don't cram the floor space with fru-fru stuff like bookmarks, cutesy pictures frames, beaded coin purses, and toys. It's books, books, books all the way for this place. I love it! read more

Petunia's Place is the consummate "little shop around the corner" straight out of the movie You've Got Mail. Super high quality, friendly and knowledgable staff (owned by two retired Fresno teachers), and threatened by Amazon and the big chain stores. The importance of getting your children and grandchildren quality literature cannot be over emphasized, and this is the place to do it. If they don't have what you want they'll order it for you. But the real value is in the knowledge that they have about children's lit. They'll no just the right books for your kids. Not to mention the ones that should be be read by us older kids (those of us older than 21 or 65?) Guarantee your child's success in school by reading to them nightly! And get those books from Petunia's Place!! Buy local! read more

This is a great store. I thoroughly enjoyed checking out their selection. They say it's great for kids but I would not recommend bringing your child under 4 inside the store. If your kid touches anything that is for sale they follow you around like a hawk and comment. They do have toys for your kids to play with but as soon as your kid leaves the toy area...good luck. So basically go without the kids I actually went from four stars to three stars... Because I had a day to think about this. It is rather irritating that you have a children's bookstore where children aren't allowed to touch items for sale at all. Don't have a children's bookstore if you don't expect children to walk in. read more

Yes, there are larger stores but I doubt you will find any that are better or where they care as much about books! Don't support this shop just because "it's local," shop here because it's a very nice shop. Even if I don't find what I'm looking for (or know what I'm looking for :) ) my visits are always welcome and put me in a book-loving mood! read more

I have heard nothing but good things about this place and was looking forward to buying my daughter a bunch of books for Christmas. The doors were open, without a sign saying they would close early and yet we were greeted saying they were going to close early and couldn't help us. There I was with my daughter excited to pick out her books for the new year and they said they couldn't help. Merry Christmas. Barnes and noble is open... :-( read more

It's not just for Children.....So don't let the children have all the fun! Petunia's Place is a terrific bookstore. Don't let the label "Children's Book Store" fool you. Did you like any of these books, which are all now movies Twilight, Hunger Games, City of Ashes, Matched (coming out soon) or Lighting Thief? How about 12 Years a Slave which is winning awards "left and right?" These are all Young Adult books which have been made into movies. A friend, who is a high school teacher, told me about this great bookstore. I don't have any children which made me a little leery, but the staff at Petunia's told me about these books and many others way before the movies came out. If you are looking for some light reading, because of our busy schedules, this is the place for you. The knowledgeable, friendly & helpful staff is more than willing to help you. Online ordering is great, but the reviews are always hard to figure out and are questionable. If you are a teacher don't walk, run and get some Common Core books to go with the new State Standards or whatever it is called today. If you have children they have book signings and events all time for free. read more

I love how clean and nicely decorated it is. It's beautiful inside. I have been here a few times. However, I have to agree with some of the reviews about bring your kids. For a place that is suppose to cater to kids it's not very friendly. How are kids suppose to come in and chose a book when the ladies working there are giving us the evil eyes about everything. It seems like they don't want the kids to touch anything, just look than buy. I want to support this place since it's owned by teachers, but I don't think I can anymore after the last experience we had. Sadly won't be back. read more

Open on Saturdays. Decorated beautifully for the holidays! Very reasonably priced books, games, and gifts. Visiting this local bookstore, and maybe getting a tea next door, could make for a very relaxing Saturday. read more

This is a very teacher-friendly book store with a great selection of children's books and a staff of very knowledgeable people who will help you find the book you need and don't mind you browsing. Adorable place! read more

The best toddler story time in town. Great book selection and nice ambiance.

Support local booksellers! I've been here twice and if it weren't for the fact that I own over 200 unread books I'd be here every week. You are greeted as soon as you walk in and they seem genuinely happy to have you there. As soon as you walk in they offer to help you out but are fine if you just want to browse. The selection is children's/YA with a few adult books. Lots of popular and well known books but also lots of indie or lesser known books which is cool for discovering new authors. If they don't have something in stock they will order it for you, there's always a table outside of a few 20% off books and if you email them they respond promptly. Love them! Will go back as soon as I read more of my unread books. read more

I just bought a book for my niece in this fine bookstore. There are books for the older crowd as well so I spent longer browsing than intended. Five stars. Thank you Petunia's Place. read more

This store should be called "Petunia's Place: Children's Bookstore Where NO Children Are Allowed". I understand that the phrase "fine books" is in the subtitle of this store. Just note...that is code for ONLY parents may touch our books. If your children touch, breath, or attempt to pull a book off the shelves, THREE workers will immediately hover over you and tell you that you are breaking the rules. Or, they will passive aggressively talk to each other about how "those people" are breaking the rules. I have great advice for anyone wanting to support this store. DON'T! And that is too bad because I am all for the small local business. I will even pay more money to support them. But friends...it is NOT worth it! My friend and I left feeling so angry at how not kid friendly it is and without purchasing anything even when we had a stack of books in hand. Normally I would say support the local bookstore but this time, I say shop on Amazon from the comfort of your own home, snuggling your precious children. You will save yourself a parental headache and you and your kids will feel much better about yourselves. *Sidenote - My friend (and two kids) who came with me almost didn't want to come because she had such a bad experience taking her kids to their "StoryTime". I convinced her to try it with me just for shopping. I told her I was sorry when we left. Be warned. read more

I was very excited to take my sons to story time on June 27, 2013 at 11am. We arrived a few minutes early and my younger son went straight to the blocks, only to be stopped by one of the old ladies, telling him that he had to wait until story time was over to play with the blocks-fair enough...My older son began to browse the books, when I noticed Debbie Manning FOLLOWING him. The book area of the store is very small, yet she rolled her wheel chair behind him telling him that he had wonderful manners because he kept his hands in his pockets-what a compliment...My older son did find a book that he wanted to look at (and potentially give to Mommy to purchase), so he took it to the carpet and started to do just that...browse. Jean Fennacy seemed a bit worried and asked him (my 6 year old son) if he was buying the book. When he said no, she told him, "Only Mommies are allowed to touch books. This is not a library and we don't want the books to be damaged." Those comments struck a cord and I went into protective mode. Mind you, this is a children's book store. My son was very careful with the book, but that was definitely the first time that we had to deal with that behavior from elders/book store owners. I might add that I am black and my 5 and 6 year old sons are as well :) We immediately left and went to Barnes and Noble where we ALWAYS feel welcome, and children ARE allowed to touch books, take books off the shelves, flip through pages, get comfy with a books, they are even allowed to play with Thomas and Friends...all without taking a small child's imagination away or discouraging reading. We didn't even get to enjoy to story time. read more