What a cute little bookshop with cafe! We stopped in just to check out the selection but I was drawn in by its small chop charm. My son and I grabbed some drinks from the cafe and they were delicious, then as we waited browsed their selection. There are more children's books overall but they do carry toys, trinkets, cards, crafts, historical books and more. The woman working the front was super sweet and the lady behind the cafe counter was too, their service was welcoming. As far as value I'd rather support local than the big store. Their prices are the norm but yes you can find majority of these books at big retailers for less. They both also gave a military discount even though I don't believe that is the norm for them but much appreciated. Overall great experience. read more

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Blue Bunny Books is easily one of my favorite locations to walk to and hang out. During my pregnancy, I have found myself walking into town just to be able to sit and do some work while sipping on a yummy drink. Their cafe isn't just creative, it's extensive! They really have something for everyone here. My boyfriend, who is more of a tea than a coffee person, hasn't found any complaints when trying their drinks (and he may be as much of a drink critic as I am). If you have kids, Blue Bunny also does creative and fun events to engage and involve your little ones in some much-needed book-themed fun. With our family expecting our first baby, we're beyond thrilled to bring her over to Blue Bunny's events, no matter how old she is. Blue Bunny is such a staple to the Dedham community, and I will always enjoy going back for some yummy coffees and good books. read more

What a sweet children's book store. My first visit to pick up signed copies of Dash for my Grandson for Christmas. The coffee shop inside proved a nice touch as I shopped around. (I had Butterscotch latte) So much to see and such a wide variety of children's books. Highly recommend. He doesn't like Bobo. read more

I hate bashing small business but when you don't great a customer walking into your store, you're not going to get my business. The man behind the desk simply looked at me and looked away when I walked in. Unfortunately, it's also a small selection of books. read more

I love it here. When I first moved nearby, I would stop by whenever I needed to buy a gift for a child. There's a wonderful collection of children's books, which is not surprising, given that the store owned and run by the writer \ illustrator dynamic duo, Paul and Peter Reynolds. It was a sad day when Mocha Java, across the street from The Bunny, closed its doors a few years back. But then came the happy day when it found a new home within The Blue Bunny! A few tables were added to the front and voila! A delightful combination coffee shop & children's book store was born. I just noticed that a few adult books are now available, too. Today, I brought a friend along that had never been to The Bunny. Needless to say, she was thrilled with the find - albeit slightly miffed that she was only just discovering it! Although the Reynolds brothers can often be spotted at the shop, I had always been too shy to introduce myself. But having a friend along today emboldened me to say hello and express my appreciation for their work and shop. We were treated to a lovely conversation with Paul, and Peter joined us towards the end. I was excited to learn about Peter's latest book, " When things aren't going right, go left." Seems like the perfect sentiment for these challenging times. What a wonderful way to start the day. Oh, and the coffee is delicious, too!! read more

Unique and fun place. Quite unique and good way to travel in their fantastic world beyond adult world! read more

The Blue Bunny - Unique and fun place. Quite unique and good way to travel in their fantastic world beyond adult world! - Bookstores Near Me - Dedham, Massachusetts

Popped in here almost by accident seeking to kill some time and get a cup of coffee. What a wonderful find! It's truly a community space, and the perfect place to come on a rainy day with the little ones for a cup of coffee and to enjoy the selection of books. Peter greeted me as I walked in the door, and immediately made me feel welcome despite the fact I looked utterly lost! read more

This shop is great, recently moved into a bigger, better space in the square. As a teacher, I respect their community involvement. The more they reach out, the more they will inspire children to love reading. They have wonderful books (including amazing picture books), small toys and games as well as a choice bunch of books for adults (some about children and parenting), among others. If you are in the area, check out this diamond in the rough (well...i guess not so rough, but it is a diamond! read more

My 7, 9 year olds and I had a wonderful browsing and buying experience here. I showed the clerk Nancy a list of books my kids liked and she picked out several that appealed to them. Margie was also so nice and totally unflappable by my kids' enthusiasm oohing and ahhing over the very well curated toy and stuffed animal collection. We love physical book stores and this is absolutely the most child-centric in recent memory-- from thoughtful, right on book recommendations, in store stock, to staff's pleasure sharing love of reading to little customers. I also enjoyed my adult time having coffee and tea and working in a wonderful environment. read more

This store brings me back to my childhood and is actually a lot bigger than I expected. It is situated in historic downtown Dedham, which has your array of restaurants and smaller shops. This store is right on the main street and you cannot miss it, since usually outside on a nice day, they put out a stuffed sheep to greet customers. The inside goes pretty far back and is lined with walls of children's books of all age groups. Sprinkled throughout is also trinkets and toys catering to baby through teenager. There is actually some pretty neat stuff in here and some never before seen toys and books. There is even a room in the back which looks like it is used for classes or book reads or parties. When we visited there was a party in the back. I spotted a cage also with a live bunny hopping around. The staff is also very welcoming and friendly and it is almost nostalgic visiting here since it is a throw back to what a toy store of book store used to look like. The prices are moderate and it makes you feel good to patronize the small businesses of this nice town. Worth a visit from anywhere! read more

If the store was a bit larger they could rate five stars. But the floor space is kind of small for the amount of merchandise they've got and this takes away from the overall shopping experience. Nevertheless...I like the Blue Bunny. It's got a good book selection for ages 3-11 at reasonable prices and some unusual and fun toys too. Located in Dedham Center and close to lots of services, attractions and restaurants it packs a lot - maybe too much - into a cute little space. I went shopping here recently looking for some different, some unusual gifts for my nieces. There was a very wide selection, and although I spent a lot of time in the store I felt like I didn't see everything. Trying to display so much on a relatively small sales floor makes creating customer-friendly arrangements difficult and that's why the Blue Bunny suffers... ...just a bit. On the other hand...based on what I found for the children...I'd be back on every holiday and birthday, if I could. The selection was very good, very age appropriate and priced quite reasonably. The sales staff (all of one person while I was in) knew more about toys, games and books for children than anyone I've found in the greater Boston area in years - kudos to her. Even when I didn't find what I wanted she was quite willing to look around at other stores in order to help me out. That means a lot. This is an unusually good toy and book store and it's worth a visit from anywhere in the Boston area. They don't carry a lot of the national brands of toys but there are some different and unusual things here to excite the imaginations of many kids. Very impressive all the way around. read more

Independent bookstores are magical, you can tell from the moment you walk into one... they have that innate comfort factor that comes from a personal touch. The Blue Bunny is like walking into your favorite Aunt's house when it's stuffed full of relatives all having a grand time. The store is a good size, top to bottom with mahogany bookcases and island displays of books, toys, and art supplies. It's a great shopping experience for both children and adults. Most stores are designed for adult shoppers, however, this store is a veritable yellow brick road of wonder for children. In between the picture books, fiction, and learning toys you'll find everything from magic sets, stuffed animals, jewelry, and outdoor sports gear. From babies to teens, their eyes light up when they walk in looking in all the nooks and crannies that this store has a growing reputation for. You'll see toddlers on the floor playing with a train, and teens leafing through chapter books. Adults find the books or toys they had as a kid, bringing them back in time. You always manage to find the perfect something in either gift certificate form, a hard-to-find theme gift, or a collection of items suggested by the knowledgable staff. There are creative hands-on workshops, storytimes, and special events where you can meet your favorite author or learn more about animals from the local MSPCA. Sign up for their newsletter in their guestbook and you'll get coupons, newsletters, and helpful event notifications at regular intervals. The folks who work at The Blue Bunny range from the high school kids who love to read, to artists, to Mom's who know the classics and keep up on new releases. Kudos to the co-owner and buyer for the store, Janet Reynolds, for managing to keep an ever-changing inventory in house. For the regulars, the word on the street is that are at least 20 new things coming in every week in addition to normal restocking of most popular and favorites. If they don't have a book in stock or a special toy, they offer to order it for you. One of the biggest draws of The Blue Bunny (no pun intended) is that it's the headquarters for Author/Illustrator Peter H. Reynolds (The Dot, Judy Moody, Someday). You may be trying to pick out the best art supplies for a gift for someone when you find out that the helpful guy is actually a famous and very approachable illustrator. Peter lives in Dedham, and frequents the store permitting customers to have their books dedicated and signed by him on a regular basis. It's a true treasure to have a signed author book, and his dedications will not disappoint. I've given many author or illustrator signed books by Peter and other authors who have done signings at the store. Recently, The Blue Bunny started publishing a children's magazine called "The Hutch", collections of stories and writing from local kids. The team at the store strongly believes in fostering creativity, which is very refreshing in such a test-centric and retail-connectivity-bling-overload time. I think that my favorite experience at the store is that I overheard a twelve year old boy exclaim, "this is better than Toys-R-Us". I don't think you can get a better review than that. The worst part about The Blue Bunny is leaving, I've seen some of the kids having a good time have to be carried out by their parents so they can get on with their busy weekend. The Blue Bunny has a great sense of community, has donated to local events and even sponsors the annual North Star Children's Ramble (a children's race that highlights literacy). The store has been around for 5 years, originally in a smaller location on the next block and relocating to their present site at 593 High Street. If you are looking for a cozy hometown bookstore full of feel-good books, neat toys, crafts, and more, you have to take a trip to The Blue Bunny. As the handwritten words on the door say "hop on in". read more

Independent bookstores are some of the best places on earth. Author run independent bookstores are even better. Children's? Now you have the trifecta of amazing! This place is great. All age groups. And they have story time. read more

I was a book-crazed kid. I was the only first-grader allowed to take Nancy Drew out of the school library. I lived, breathed and ate books. For me, when my mom pushed me outside to play, it was just a place to bring a book and read. So having 13 kids (no, not mine!) to shop for throughout the year, I decided to check out The Blue Bunny. They publish a kids' magazine. They have a small section of books for adults. The store is co-owned by a children's book illustrator. It's got a cute logo. They have events, signings, and fun classes. They sell toys. They have a frequent buyer card. They have an adorable logo. It would have been my favorite store as a kid. So why the "meh' review? Because during my half hour in there, the saleswoman didn't say hello, ask to help me find anything, or even acknowledge my presence until I went to purchase something. I really hate rude customer service, but I hate indifferent service just as much. Oh, and the store's layout is a little confusing, so it's hard to find things, but conducive, I guess, to browsing. read more

This is such a great little bookstore. I'll admit it. I was expecting more. And it's really only for kids and partially teens. Recently, Mocha Java moved in, so now it's coffee & books, which is convenient and quaint, with multiple seating areas inside and out. They also have lots of "gifty" stuff, including tons of games, art supplies, some large stuffed animals, and other cool stuff for kids and teenagers. And obviously many books, mostly kids. The staff here were all very friendly and welcoming to the establishment, as well at the large Blue Bunny out front and some sort of farm animal (goat?). It's located in Dedham Square, the only store with a blue awning, as the rest are green, and it's very close to the junction of High Street & Washington Street. Parking on street right out front, or in Dedham Square Parking Lot on Eastern Avenue (by the CVS). Overall, cute little store in Dedham Center, fine to find some gift or books, but adults will not find much here for books. Go to Barnes&Noble up Route 1 in Walpole for that, or to the New England Book Fair over in Newton. But I would still highly suggest this place for kids gifts and books. 4 stars. read more

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Wonderful Books for Kids and Adults Wonderful Educational Toys Wonderful Owners and Employees. Run by Local Authors/Illustrators of Children's Books and benefactors of the local arts community. They really care. We can't say enough good about this local business. They seem to get a lot of great authors in for signings. They even have kids' nights with "story time" and crafts! Prices aren't bad either! My 6 Year Old's favorite store since he was 2. It, along with my bookworm wife, really fostered his love of reading. read more

The Blue Bunny is a gem of a children's bookstore. Owned by Peter H. Reynolds and his family (my kids have loved his The Dot and other books since they were little), The Blue Bunny represents the kind of niche business that we need to preserve: warmth, expertise, hospitality. Though e-tail has its place, going to an establishment like the Blue Bunny isn't just about purchasing a product, it's about letting your kids explore the world of pictures and words. read more

My wife and I were looking forward to visiting this cozy little bookstore. Unfortunately, our first visit was somewhat disappointing. We were not greeted by the store clerk, or asked if we needed help. Instead, she kept her focus on her monitor. When I got her attention and told her we were there to pick up an order, she said that we would have to ask the other person working there. That other person was chatting with someone else, so we waited patiently for a few minutes, browsing the store. My wife finally had to interupt and ask for our order. Not a good first impression. read more

This shop is a true gem - wonderful books and toys, for kids and adults alike. The staff is friendly and incredibly knowledgable. Time after time I've gone into the shop with a gift in mind - an 8 year old reluctant reader, a 14 year old science fiction fan, etc, and the staff always takes the time to help me find the perfect book. Their recommendations are fantastic and my kids have always loved the books I've bought as a result. Ultimately what comes across when you're at The Blue Bunny is that the owners and staff love books and excel in helping others foster a love of reading as well. They hold frequent readings, author talks/book signings, and book discussions and have created a real sense of community and shared excitement around books and reading. The selection of toys and games is quite broad and has something for all ages and interests. Gift wrapping is free. read more

Very small, over priced and limited selection. As much as I support my small hometown local businesses, save your time and lots of money by going to Amazon or EBay. Owner has a bit of an attitude or chip on his shoulder for some reason. read more

This is a book and toy store the way it should be. The staff is wonderfully knowledgeable about the books they have and know what to suggest for children with different interests and of different ages. They will special order books as well. The selection of toys and games they have strikes an excellent balance of fun and learning. They demonstrate an excellent understanding of how to bring out the creativity in a child. There is a card stamp program through which you can earn discounts and a program for educators as well. read more

This is what toy stores should be: the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, the selection is wonderful and well-edited, the store itself is an amazing place for kids to look around in. Yes, it's not as enormous as Toys R Us or even a large Magic Beans, but it stocks a deceptively huge amount of stuff. I went there to get ideas for my three-year-old daughter's birthday, and the staff not only helped me create a fantastic wish list for her but offered a discount to anyone who bought her something from that list. Our friends and family were happy and relieved to have this list in place. Peter Reynolds and his staff genuinely care about kids and it absolutely shows in his store. read more

Love the Blue Bunny and think it is important to support local businesses. Try to buy something each time I'm there. The recent renovation looks great but some of the charm was lost. I'm sure that charm had its downsides for the owners and employees but as a customer I really loved it. I especially miss the little kids corner in the back. Last time we were there my 3 year old didn't look at the books because they are no longer displayed in a way that's easy for her to see. We'll continue to go of course because of the great people and the great books but now it feels more like a coffee shop with books rather than a bookstore. read more

What an awesome little store!!! Perfect for kids!!! LOADS of inventory, many choices in books, fun read lists and they even have a live bunny!!! Enjoy :) read more

I have been going to The Blue Bunny since it opened when I was a kid...one of the most fun places to go that takes you right back to your childhood if you're an adult and captures you for hours if you're a kid. You can get lost in the floor-to-ceiling stacks of books, toys, and other fascinating things they have on display and it is all catered toward expanding the imagination. I am not sure if they still have workshops for kids but they did when I was still in an acceptable range to attend and they were all fabulous and sparked my interest in a variety of new crafts and subjects. Now it's just a great place to shop for kids or just bring them along to look around for a while. If you are ever looking for a children's book, chances are they have it or will order it for you. Staff is super nice and friendly and when you check out they usually recommend something related to what you buy to read next. Such a great way to spark kids' interest in reading and playing with toys instead of watching tv and spending time on the internet. read more

Want a book for a special kid but don't know what to get? Ask the well-read folks at THE BLUE BUNNY. Want a wacky game that will make everyone laugh? It's at THE BLUE BUNNY. Want a cozy toy that will become a favorite? It's at THE BLUE BUNNY. How about that classic book whose name is on the tip of your tongue? THE BLUE BUNNY people will know what it is. Everywhere you look in this store you'll find something unusual, interesting, engaging. It's a wonderful place. read more

Fabulous local shop with great selection and friendly, helpful staff. My daughter comes here weekly for the free story time and she loves it. I also make frequent stops to grab a coffee and a snack at mocha java. Peter and the staff try to meet everyone and get to know your face. It's the kind of place that is more than just a store - they are an integral part in building our community. I shop here as often as I can to support this local gem! read more

I had a first time experience here and I am hooked .The staff was so friendly and welcoming and the atmosphere was relaxed. I loved the addition of a coffeeshop. I have to admit I was a huge Peter Reynolds fan before going into the store and seeing him sitting at a table signing books was a dream come true. The store was hosting an easter event for kids which as free and very fun. My four year old loved the art project and live bunny hopping around. We were also given a certificate for free ice cream down the street. I loved the rewards system and enjoyed buying a birthday gift and supporting local. I plan to visit this shop whenever I am in the area. If you have children or love children's books- you need to go! read more

The Blue Bunny is our favorite bookstore, worth the trip. The staff are the nicest people and love helping customers find the right book or gift. Be sure to sign up to receive their electronic newsletter because they host wonderful events such as author book signings, pre-school story times, pajama story times, creative workshops, and charity events. read more

Love this store. As a newcomer to Dedham, the Blue Bunny welcomed me and my family. So many wonderful books. But the very best part of the Blue Bunny is the staff. So knowledgable and helpful. They also have a solid teen and YA section as well as a small adult section. And of course they can order books for you, too. read more

Truly an amazing and community-involved small business. They have author book signings, craft projects, and so many fun events for kids and adults. The atmosphere and employees are GREAT - very helpful and knowledgeable. And, as if things couldn't be any better, they've recently added Mocha Java coffee - a Dedham institution for 20 years - to their store. Coffee and books, a winning combination. This truly is a gem of a store - stop in and feel right at home. read more