Lower Manhattan got a new bookstore this fall, and this one’s a gift for the kids. Words on Warren (52 Warren St.) is a veritable wonderland for young readers and their lit-seeking parents, with books, gifts and plenty of cozy nooks for literary tots of all ages and reading levels.
The space is owner Jean S Maeng’s first bookshop — the longtime Tribeca resident previously did pop-up events and book curations before taking over the 1500-square-foot space on the other side of Philip Williams Posters. Maeng has three kids herself, and wanted Words on Warren to help foster children’s love of books.
“I know it’s tough to get them hooked when they’re just starting to read,” she told the Downtown Alliance, adding that opening Words on Warren was “a dream of mine.” The bookstore caters to all young readers, with wares ranging from books for the youngest family members all the way to young adults. The stacks are filled with picture books, board books, elementary-age series, middle-grade fantasy books and more, with some of Maeng’s children’s favorites, like Scholastic’s Acorn and Branches books and Andy Griffiths’ Treehouse series. There’s also a special New York City section, which Maeng says is very popular with the locals.
Words on Warren isn’t just a great spot to buy books. It’s also a lovely place to read them. The space is outfitted with cozy nooks and couches, with plenty of room for kids to curl up with a tome or two. It’s a place that’s guaranteed to get little ones reading — and with technology threatening literacy at all ages these days, that’s very welcome, indeed.
