Totally wonderful. A small toy and bookstore run by French women in Monteverde (a little off the…read moretourist beaten path). Jam packed with delightful, amazing, wholesome, fun books and toys for babies and children. If there are more than 3 people in the store, you have to really dance around each other (and sometimes go out of the store) so you can get around to see all the toys. We bought all our Christmas presents for the children of friends and family there, and a set of wooden blocks for our own baby son. As a bonus, the products often feature organic or otherwise non-toxic finishes or treatments. Our blocks were colored with natural dyes, for example. We were very happy with this totally unexpected find. If you're on the Trastevere side of the Tiber and have an interest in children's toys, you owe it to yourself to get on the ATAC and over to Il Minotauro.

I went to this store in search of buttons, to use on some projects that I knit and crochet. They…read moredo have a decent array of buttons, but you cannot just browse through them, but must be waited on. I have been several times and usually have found the people who work here nice enough--although this last time, the woman helping me was quite rude and it seemed as though it was a chore that i wanted to look at things. Keep in mind that a simple button costs at least 2 euros. I actually ended up spending 21 euros on 4 buttons--so they are definitely not cheap. If you are looking for a store where the people are super helpful, and they want to know what you're making, or give suggestions, this is not the place. You'll be on your own, hoping to find what you're looking for. That being said, the selection is quite good, even if it is expensive.