This is a delightful little bookstore. It will be hard to miss--the door is framed by various…read morechildren's book characters, like Corduroy, Harold and his purple crayon, Amelia Bedelia, and more. It's not large but it is mighty and packed to the gills. They carry everything from high-contrast books for the littlest babies to juvenile or even what one might considered more adult items (I think I saw some Erik Larson books there). There's a small room with books geared toward children in early childhood, and then the larger room has a combo of bigger kid and teen books. There was some apparel, and I almost wished I was still doing onesies for my baby because they had some Clifford ones, and maybe Corduroy too (which was my favorite as a child). In addition to oodles of books, they have some toys and I bought a set of Little Blue Truck puzzle blocks since that's a book we like to read. They're quirky here--they had a Pope pool going, taking guesses on what country the new Pope will be from (this is 2025, and Pope Francis died a couple weeks ago). The owner was nice and let me set down my little one because she'd fallen asleep just before we got there. The chair must have been comfortable because she slept the full 20 or so minutes we were there. There seemed to be a little play area in the front window too. There's no parking for this shop, but there's a lot of parking on the street in front and on the side streets. They are only open Wednesday and Saturday, so plan accordingly if you're in the Milwaukee area.

I traveled all the way from Texas to Wisconsin with one goal in mind--to see the breathtaking mural…read moreon the side of this bookstore. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The artwork alone is worth the visit, an absolute masterpiece that captures the soul of the community. But what truly made my trip unforgettable was stepping inside this literary haven. From the moment I walked in, I was enveloped in an atmosphere of warmth, curiosity, and pure book-loving joy. This isn't just a bookstore--it's an experience. The shelves are thoughtfully curated, with an incredible selection of books for all ages. Whether you're searching for a childhood favorite, a thought-provoking novel, or a unique find, you'll leave with something special. And then there's Mary Beth--an absolute delight! Her passion for books and the community shines through every conversation. She doesn't just recommend books; she connects with you, making the visit feel personal and inspiring. If you stop by, take the time to chat with her--you won't regret it! Whether you're a lifelong reader, a parent looking for the perfect book for your child, or simply someone who appreciates a space that radiates warmth and creativity, this bookstore is a must-visit. Don't just take a quick peek--sit, read, soak in the atmosphere, and let the magic of this place wash over you. I'm already planning my return trip this spring--this time, just to buy a book and relive the experience. If you find yourself anywhere near this bookstore, do yourself a favor and don't pass it by. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later! Good books. Great vibes. Even better people.

The only place for an intellectual in the whole mall. Not the best Renaissance Bookstore location…read morenow that there are three, but definitely the best bookstore in any mall in South East Wisconsin. Unlike other good bookstores, there's lots of space and there's a very good children's selection if you're into that. I mean children's books, you can't buy children here. A small selection of collectibles, good selection of fiction, some oddities and some gifts other than books. The workers here know what's in here, so you can toss out a couple of titles or authors and they will fetch them for you if they have them.

I love to browse book stores and this one turned out to be a major disappointment. The selection is…read moresomewhat eclectic but way overpriced. I'm not sure if they want keep them for their personal collection or they want to sell them. It is almost like someone who hates them got ahold of their price stamp and went nuts. They would sell more books if the posted a sign saying all books half off marked price.

I had never been to Boswell Books before, but I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd check it…read moreout. This bookstore is MASSIVE. They offer everything from the classics to stationery to a comic book section, which was a big win for me. If you're someone who prefers shopping online, they do have a website too. And if you're looking for a recommendation? It looked like there was plenty of kind and friendly staff to help you out.

So much fun. Staff knows their stuff and happy to help till you find what you want…read more I'm from Charlotte NC and collect ghost stories written by local authors and found me the perfect one.

A cozy, adorable book shop that has everything you would ever expect in a used book shop. It has…read moretwo cats. All I need, in life really, are sleeping cats and shelves and shelves of book. it is in a great spot within Bay View that is near coffee shops restaurants, breweries, bars, etc. I always enjoy walking into a used book store. The smell of vintage and well-loved books is a magical thing. Most of the books I picked up were reasonably price and in great condition. The owner (maybe?) was welcoming, helpful, and ready to answer questions about the shop (and cats). Such a quaint and beautiful environment to wander about and find a book (or more) that supports the community. Also, support local, independent bookshops. So much of a recommend!

This is the epitome of quaintness. And two of my favorite things: books and cats. Super helpful…read moreservice when I had questions & great to just make small talk. Their prices are reasonable and they truly have some gems. I could hang here for hours

Not a store that was on my radar, but it was definitely grandkids-approved. The upper level has…read moregood-quality toys, and the grandkids scored a sweet deal on the clearance table.

I love this location! Conveniently located and amongst other great stores. The layout of the store…read morewas one of the most shoppable B&N's I've been to. It was well maintained and very clean. The staff were effective and engrossed in doing their jobs. We didn't encounter any issues in this visit, and found the staff to be very helpful when we did interact. We found a book that had quite a few misprinted and blank pages and when we brought it to an associate's attention, they (Justice) took care of it right away. At the register the associate (Rasheed) was kind, thorough, and offered great recommendations! They truly know their store! We can't wait to come back and shop the upstairs more!

Wow! This is a gem! I heard about Rooted MKE through Yelp and attended an event. Unfortunately my…read morekiddos were sick and not able to attend the fun activity but it sounded educational and they had a great work space for crafting and activities! I was extremely impressed with the adorable book store portion! They had a huge selection of books about many different people, cultures and historical figures! It was difficult for me to choose just a few for my babies but I know I'll be back! They had the books nicely organized with board books for younger kids, beautiful, colorful story books, chapter books, etc. I think this is a must stop bookstore for any family - I can't wait to introduce these topics to my kiddos in an age appropriate way using these books as tools!

How have I not reviewed Rooted yet? Let me tell you a little bit about this amazing bookstore- they…read morehave books that focus on BIPOC and we have found some of our fave books from there. Their space is open and inviting and their staff have always been kind to me and my kiddo when we have been in. They're on Vliet St and there's plenty of parking on the street! Definitely definitely check them out!

Stopped by Lion's Tooth recently in an ongoing effort to visit any and all bookshops in the…read moreMilwaukee metro. Lion's Tooth is a small, hole in the wall, bookshop nestled in Bay View. What it lacks for in size, it makes up for in curation. These booksellers know the Bay View audience and have thoughtfully handpicked their stock to suit. I noticed that they have a few bookclubs--I can't remember all of them but there is one that focuses on books about wine. So, if you're looking to learn more about wine, you may have found your spot. They have a nice selection of social justice books and have a solid supply of graphic novels as well. For myself, I was able to pick up a collection of short stores while I was in. What a gem of a spot! Get to it!

Such a unique collection of reasonably priced comics, books, gifts and more! Friendly and helpful…read morestaff, too. So glad to have found this little gem - I'll be back!