Red Balloon is a kids bookshop, but with plenty of cool stuff for adults too! I've been coming here for 20+ years for story times and book clubs and gift buying and all the good vibes. It's a true gem of a store. And of course the people who work here and who visit here are the absolute best too! There's even a nice bathroom and a great community bulletin board! My family still loves the summer reading challenges. I personally love human rights. If you're not into basic human rights, you might not love this place, but then again in you're not into basic human rights you probably don't love that much of anything. read more

Super cute book store in grand avenue and I would definitely recommend. This is a book store that specializes in children's books with a small section of young adult. Prices are good and staff are very nice. Definitely a fun place to go with a lot of events and activities . read more

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Local shop. Excellent service with recommendations from staff. They even gift wrap for free. A delightful shopping experience! read more

I stopped in for my Twin Cities Independent Bookstore Passport and got an amazing Two Minute Tour! The store is organized by age and decorated in a whimsical way. When you walk in, you are greeted with books for infants/toddlers. As you move towards the back you find middle school aged reads, then a YA/Teen section, and a smaller adult section at the back. Even as someone without kids, the adult section was small but intriguing! A discount section is located in the basement. A must revisit for me! read more

Red Balloon Bookshop - Toy Stores Near Me - St. Paul, Minnesota

I visited this store in the past and loved it. But our visit in Oct 2024 was a big disappointment. No surprise that there were no customers. The book selection and the gift items were limited to woke themes. I saw nothing I would consider for any child. read more

This book shop is a truly special place. Everyone is so helpful and they have an incredible selection. They are truly committed to their customers and I think do a great job of lifting up the world through literature. I absolutely love picking out books for my children here and bringing them! I will definitely be back! read more

Local. Independent. Warm atmosphere. Children's bookstore. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. What more could you possibly ask for? This book store has been here since my son was small (my favorite memory was bring him & my niece to listen to local author Nancy Carlson read her book). Recently we brought my grandchild-she had the same reaction! She loved running through the store, laughing at the large bear, finding more books than she could carry. This is a true good find in St. Paul!! read more

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Ok, so ten years ago Red B. was kind of competing with Bound To Be Read across the street. I loved the latter because it was cuter AND every time I wanted a book, Red Balloon didn't have it and had to order it. Thanks, I'll just use Amazon. However, after all these years I decided to stop in to browse. Before my browse, I was in a Grinchy Christmas mood. Last minute gifts, no ideas, stressed out! Within two minutes I had found a book for every person on my list. These were books I hadn't ever heard of, but went with a series that they liked. Then I got caught up in all the signed copies of beautiful childrens book and yes let me tell you, my heart LITERALLY grew 3 sizes that day. I felt a swell of love for books and man-kind. read more

A wonderfully friendly well organized book store mostly for children. A renovated older home on Grand makes a perfect setting for this unique urban stopping point on one of the coolest streets in the country. Just watch out for the different levels of the floor as you browse the thousands of titles and be sure to check the small area for adults. There is complementary gift wrap as they skillfully curl ribbons for an impressive gift. A person could browse here for hours on end. Many of titles are the same as when I was little. Some things never get dated. read more

Loved supporting this little shop when we came to town but not sure we will be back. It's become extremely liberal. To the point where the "non-fiction" section is just extremely bias and full of liberal books, doesn't even have both sides. Lots of agenda pushing with kids books too. Very sad. read more

An absolutely wonderful book store with a strong emphasis on stories for children and young readers. Their stock is a little smaller in the continued wake of Covid, but I still managed to walk out with several books (including a few that weren't on my list!). Attentive staff and a little something for everyone. A very charming shop! read more

This used to be one of our favorite bookstores. I brought my granddaughter to pick out a book and the book choice for her age was marginal. Then she desperately needed to use the bathroom, but store clerk said it was now for staff only. We had to run down the block in the rain and sleet. After this, we went back and no one helped us. They stood at cash register talking. Then I hear another mother ask to use restroom and she and her children had to run down the street. This is a book store for children and they often need to use the bathroom. Really ridiculous. The clerk said it was due to covid. This is post-mask mandate and a return to near normal. Staff is using it as an excuse as we don't get a hue and cry about getting Covid from toilet seats. Never going back. read more

This is, without a doubt, one of the highlights of a shopping trip with my kids. We love to stop there and it's always a special treat. I will bet you my kids could tell you what books they have bought here and the special occasion that prompted our visit. And lets be honest, any bookstore that can prompt a kid to read more is a 5-star place in my book. read more

What a great independent bookshop. It is one of those places you forget and then when you go back you wonder why you had not been there in so long. The staff was nice, friendly and knowledgeable. They had a nice international section for those who wanted to expose their children or themselves to different languages. If you or your children are bookworms or just love an adventure head over to Red Balloon! read more

Great locally owned and independent bookstore. They carry a great selection of the "classic" children's books you'd expect to find and also many new ones that I wasn't familiar with. I really appreciated that they have a small but well curated young adult section as well as a small section of books and poetry for adults. read more

The Twin Cities are home to two of the best children's bookstores in the nation. Both Wild Rumpus and Red Balloon are home to great selections of books for children, but it's difficult to imagine how they could be more different. At the Red Balloon, you will find a great space and fantastic collection of books and book related toys for children. The shop is owned and staffed by experts in children's literature. You can't swing a Folkmanis puppet without hitting a children's librarian or educator. They love to share their enthusiasm for books of all genres for all ages. The event schedule is packed with local and national authors and illustrators as well as imaginative fun. And because the space is designed for events, they are often SRO, so arrive early and wear sturdy shoes. read more

Red Balloon Bookshop - Debra Frasier at Red Balloon - Toy Stores Near Me - St. Paul, Minnesota

I came in and just gravitated towards this stuffed Peter Rabbit, and remembered reading it as a child with my sisters and I sharing the books. I just had to get it for my soon to be niece. As soon as we came inside, we were greeted by a friendly woman that gave us a lay of the bookstore. I love the bargain books downstairs and ended up taking home several things. They do gift wrapping here as well, and have coupons as well. What a lovely shop to have on Grand. read more

The Red Balloon is the definition of charming, enchanting, and playful combined. My entire collection of Berenstein Bears books came from this cute shop! If you have little kids or just adore children's literature or are looking for fun gifts for loved ones, this is the place! Also, the young children's story times are pretty darn magical (from my personal experience as a kid who used to read more than play outside). read more

If I had children or was a child, I would want to hang out here. What great bookstore for children of all ages. I was able to get a book for a friend who is having a child and one for myself. They do have a small adult book selection. They also have reads by various authors. Definitely recommend for any book lover who wants to share that love with their children. read more

This is a super cute children's bookstore. They frequently have activities, like story time and book launches. We love the Spanish story time once a month. They have a nice selection of kids books and a parking lot, which is great for a store on Grand Ave. It's a great place to hang out with your kid while supporting a local bookstore. The only downside is this store is so great that it can get very crowded. read more

Love this place! Such an asset to have a great, community book store. Unique books and great staff make this a must.

As usual, my love of this place was confirmed. I took the the teen I mentor to grab the newest Dashner novel. The book wasn't received yet, but alas the nice ladies wanted to make sure we had the book. Within a few minutes the book was received on their end, purchased by us, and a happy teenager exited the store :) Me too of course! Btw, it's a good book. . . . you should read it. read more

The best bookstore in town. The Red Balloon is a wonderful children/young adult bookstore. The staff are professional experts who can recommend great books for any age or type of kid. They have lots of special events from story times for preschooler to book signings by big name authors. The place feels like a friendly neighborhood hangout for young book lovers. its great. read more

I can't keep my kids away. They would be at the red ballon EVERY day if they could. What a neighborhood gem.

Customer service is poor, spent a good hour or so with family and all I heard was a hello and goodbye, that was as we left. Best off going to B&N, better selection and customer service... Wanted to support local, but they don't do a great job of supporting local authors from what i could tell. read more

The Red Balloon Bookstore really is the best children's bookstore in town! I have four kids, and we always have fun shopping at this bookstore. There is a great selection of books for kids of all ages. I used to take my kids to story time when they were younger, and we also enjoyed going to the special tea party in the summer. The theme of the tea party was centered around a special storybook character. My kids loved it! I would highly recommend this bookstore to anyone! read more

This is an amazing children's bookshop located in a renovated home on Grand Avenue. Just near Victoria Crossing. The kids will spend loads of time browsing and exploring. Very friendly and helpful staff. I love patronizing these independent and well stocked bookstores. read more

Red Balloon Bookshop is an excellent locally owned bookstore with plenty of new books and author events. The employees are friendly. Great atmosphere! read more

The most adorable bookstore for kids and great selection. Sells puppets, stuffed animals, greeting cards and books about Minnesota & St. Paul history. If you need a gift for a baby or child this is the place to go. read more