Great childrens book store in downtown San Carlos (their street is pedestrian only at the moment which is nice!). They have a nice selection of books for almost any age, along with various educational kids toys (like puzzles and science kits). On most Fridays and Saturdays they have an entertaining story time that is probably best for 3-6 year olds. Also check out their podcast which features reading-themed adventure stories along with music and art projects.

Visiting the reading bug was the highlight of our kids trip to CA. Our kids listen have listened to every single reading bug podcast and were so excited to meet Lauren in person and shop the store. We drove down from Portland, OR and it was worth the trip. The store is a book worms dream and the employees are extremely helpful and friendly.

Great little shop on Laurel Street, I’ve pre-ordered books to ship there and the service is awesome.

Great local bookstore with great selections for your little and not so little readers

Such a cute book store for young readers

What a beautiful bookstore! They do a great story hour and have been know to offer classes onsite. I love to support local businesses and this one works hard at keeping a unique spot that is family friendly.

Besides being a beautiful store with a tremendous selection of kids books and toys, they also carry some adult books, and you can order selections that they dont have in stock. Staff communications are extremely responsive and helpful. They really go the extra mile. Yes their prices are higher than Amazon, but I think its well worth a few extra dollars to keep a store like this in business. Their COVID protocols are great as well.

We live in Redmond OR, and have never been to the store, but absolutely LOVE their kids podcast. Seriously have saved us on so many car trips. My 6 year old daughter also loves to listen to The Reading Bug at home while coloring. Great listening for the whole family. Thank you for being so awesome!

I love love love shopping here. Every member of the staff is extremely knowledgable about their offerings. I shop here for books, of course, but also for unique toys, artistic gifts, etc. Rather than guessing at what the children of friends and family are reading, I almost always defer to The Reading Bug staff for guidance. They always have multiple suggestions for me to consider. I am particularly impressed at how well theyre handling shopping during the pandemic. While you cant really browse today, they are open and they bring their positive energy and knowledge of their inventory to the front door and enthusiastically bring the store to you! What a neighborhood gem!

Very bad experience working with the owner Lauren Savage. She is rude, condescending, and unhelpful. I ask nicely a simple question and I get a hostile response. I will not be coming back here and cannot recommend it to others.

I wasnt sure what to get for a birthday gift and stumbled upon a service at the Reading Bug that allowed me to provide some details about the recipient and the experts chose a gift within my price range. It was a nice service. I noticed the shopping experience is a little different than normal due to Coronavirus but since I ordered through this service it was an easy pickup.

We LOVE the Reading Bug. Long time lovers of the in-person story time and beautiful book store, we recently starting listening to Reading Bug Adventures podcast and both my kids (4 and 6) cant get enough of the interesting stories and songs. I also started subscribing to the Reading Box for both my kids and these books are incredibly well chosen, fun, insightful, and encourage my kids to cuddle up with books and READ! Couldnt be happier with this place. Thank you Reading Bug!!!

Cutest books tore for kids and teens.Has a great selection of books. Also fun little toys and things. Makes a great shop for a gift giving.

Its a quiet, happy place for kids of all ages. We headed there on a cold morning and were greeted by cheerful voices of little kids waiting for the story time to begin. The book collection is also very impressive. There is a small play area at the back of the store. The story hour was so much fun. Not only did the kids enjoy, we the parents loved it as well. They have these cute stools to sit on. Overall a lovely outing place for a weekend morning with your whole family.

I like them because they let me sign the wall ;)Jokes. This is a huge childrens bookshop with lots of selection and happy, helpful staff.

A huge collection of kids book and toys!

What a great selection of kids books and what helpful people. I was looking for something specific for a 3 year old (book of 5 minute stories) and they had a great selection. Of course my grandson chose Sesame Street but it was a great experience.

Beautiful, welcoming and amazing collection of books. Extremely knowledgeable sales staff who know their books and read each one they recommended. Interesting customized subscription box idea, catered to different age/gender readers.

Great selection of childrens books, and I appreciate the small section for adults too, especially since San Carlos doesnt have a bookstore for adults. Service is always fantastic. If I want to order a book online, I use the Reading Bug instead of Amazon.

Folks who live in San Carlos are lucky to have this store nearby. The staff is super helpful in recommending age-appropriate books. Other than books, theres a well-edited stock of quality products for babies, kids, expectant parents, and yoga enthusiasts. The Bug offers story times for different ages on different days. The newborn story time teacher has an amazing singing voice. In addition, you can take different exercise classes here, including a prenatal exercise class offered 2x a week (ask about Pattys class -- she is awesome!). Great space / place for the community.

Really awesome bookstore. The downstairs (used books) is actually really well organized and the prices are good deals (cheaper than online!). I spent most of my time downstairs but what I saw of the main floor was clean and well-organized.

This is a lovely book shop with diverse stock as well as books that were favorites in the past. Visually very inviting, especially for kids. Prices fair. Staff knowledgeable.

One of the most kid friendly bookshops Ive been to. Super helpful non pushy staff. Almost daily book readings. Good range of books.

My favorite bookstore! The staff is so helpful and friendly; locally owned; they have a little Spanish books section where theres always at least a few that were published originally Im Spanish which is great! Kid friendly bathrooms, awesome gift wrapping available, oh and a rewards program! $10 gift card every time you spend $200! Love the Reading Bug :)

This store is wonderful. There are story times Tuesday - Sunday, play area for kids, book events, etc, and the store itself is so fun to peruse. We try to buy all our kid gifts here - they have the most well-curated books, toys, and activities.

Best independent book store around. More than just baby & kids books. If they dont have what youre looking for theyll order and get you set in a few days max. Love the Reading Bug!!

One of the cutest bookstores Ive ever gone to. Great photo opportunities outside by the huge fake books. They even have free books in the front you can pick from. I ended up buying four books all for under $12 books! What a steal! There are tons of books to choose from. Ill definitely be back.

Story time in the weekends. Great community resource. Store is like a wonderland.

The best store for shopping for kids gifts. Incredibly helpful staff, excellent inventory, and books for grownups too. 25¢ gift wrapping to boot.

Curated collection of books and toys that are always fresh, interesting, and suitable for gifts (gift wrapping on-site!!)

What an amazing bookstore! The decor is so cute and welcoming. They have a few chairs. The store offers many community events from author visits, to educator night, and even yoga classes. They have a great selection of books and welcome customers to leave review or recommendation cards on the shelves. They will order anything they do not have. The staff are all genuinely friendly, positive, and extremely helpful. The store also offers a wide variety of unique gift items.

Nice store, but the variety of books could be better. Enquired about birthday parties on site and I got a half hearted reply saying they do allow them occasionally...not sure what that meant.

Great bookstore for kids. Also have quite a few toys. Good service. Nice for last minute party gifts as they wrap. A little pricey, but overall good store.

We hit up this bookstore almost every weekend. There is a lovely play space in the back. My older son loves to peruse the books and toys while the toddler plays. They have a huge collection of kids books from toddler to young adult and small selection for parents too. The staff is always super helpful and knowledgeable. We also had a birthday party here a few years ago that was great! Thanks, Reading Bug! We love you!

Really awesome store! They have so many extracurricular activities for kids and a playroom that has lots of fun toys to try.

Great bookstore for babies, toddlers and kids. There are many great books for children and they have a small collection of books for adults. We love their toys collection too. There is a play area for toddlers where they have a doll house and a play table with trains.

Top notch bookstore with very knowledgeable staff. They have good toys for young ones. They also offer classes and readings. A bookstore that truly enriches the community.

Very cute large childrens bookstore with fun free story time every day! My 14 month old loves going. Theres a nice play area in the back of the store too with a play house and train table.

Wonderful childrens book store and community gathering space. Everytime we decide we need something new for bedtime, or need a gift, we come here!

Excellent service and a knowledgeable staff.

Love this local book store. The staff is super friendly and they have storytime everyday! Closed Mondays.

Really great book shop lots of books for kids and my daughter really loved it. She keeps asking when we are going back so thats an automatic 5***** in my book ;)

This store is a true local gem. Such great selection of kids books and games, friendly staff, kids play area, and best of all, daily storytime. We come most Sundays to the storytime and craft with our daughter and then stop by the farmers market - perfect weekend activity.

It is a BEAUTIFUL place! And they have all kinds of books for all ages,for parents and grandparents,for every taste 😁 Your little one will appreciate a cute play corner for kids

Wonderful bookstore and toy store! They wrap gifts - great to grab perfect birthday presents

A charming bookstore on the Laurel street, has a great collection of books, games, puzzles and cozy little corner for story time. Worth a visit with your little ones if you are ever in San Carlos downtown.

Whether Im looking for an age appropriate birthday gift, a special book, or something unique, Reading Bug will have it. Im so impressed by the quality of staff, wonderful store setting, and fun place for kids and adults.We love having such a great store in our neighborhood. Shop Reading Bug!

Absolutely adorable childrens bookstore! If I was a local, Id take my daughter here all the time! Friendly and helpful staff provides great recommendations!

Wonderful neighborhood book store. They also offer themed birthday party, coloring events for adults and have authors visit. The staff is very knowledgable and gives good recommendations.

Fabulous bookstore. Very helpful and knowledgeable staff. And it has a wonderful vibe easy place to spend a lot of time.

Wonderful local book store. Helpful and friendly staff. Check their website for lots of events and author visits.

Always a great place to stop by with a kid and read them something.v

Great selection of kids books, helpful staff, cool toys, and gift wrapping service. Such a fun place to shop!

Its a great and extremely friendly place for kids and adults alike, the entire staff is so nice thanks for story time and all kinds of great gifts and books for kids. 👍🏽🤗

Great selection on books. Friendly and helpful. Story time is great.

Beautiful bookstore. Large, well-designed. Wide array of books and toys.

I have to start off by saying that I love the ambience of this store, and the people who work here are obviously very happy and always nice. However, I have been disappointed by the disorder that can overwhelm me as a customer. For one, I was frustrated that there seems to be no clear order to how the books are organized, and inevitably I always have to ask for help. Which leads to issue number two, that they seem to be understaffed, because it takes between 5-15 minutes on average to get assistance. Finally, and I know this is a small issue, but I purchased a book from them over a year ago, and when I went back to purchase a second one (several times) I was told that they are out of stock and couldnt tell me when they would have it again. I wish I could say more nice stuff because I would love to support my local bookstore rather than ordering online!

Great bookstore. A real treat for kids.

Nice collection of books. Helpful staff.

Take my twin grandsons there often. They love the toddler play area in the back.

Cute store with lits of unique gifts. Has a little play area for kids too.

Nice collection. Cooperative people

Nice place with a good selection of books. Friendly staff

Great book store, love the story time for children

A fun place for young kids to read.

An amazing bookstore for kids of all ages!

Good book selection for all ages, great activities for kids, nice little play are as well.

Beautiful place, huge selection of books and toys for kids and even grownup people

Storytimes, books for wee ones and older kids, a good selection of non-junky toys.

We go here too often. Our go to place for birthday gifts and sometimes to just hangout, which always leads to a few more books in our house.

Outstanding local kids book store. They also have an assortment on non book items that make good birthday gifts.

This place is awesome for the little ones. Story times, a play area and a huge assortment of books makes this one of our go to places!

Amazing, they always have the newest books they had some midnight releases with parties, and they have tons of awesome stuff and they wrap your gifts instantly

I really like the social activities offered here for our daughter. This place has a wonderful selection of children books and toys

Delightful bookstore with great selection and lovely staff in a small downtown area with lots of delicious food options.

Very cute childrens book store

Amazing place to find gifts for the little ones.

Great selection and atmosphere. Too pricey.

A good source of books for children. Great atmosphere.

Adorable childrens bookshop full of friendly staff, great books, fun toys, and more.

Great place for kids with all ages readings

Fantastic bookstore for kids. Great reading area in the back.

Amazing selection, large space, playful & creative environment for little ones to ignite imagination.

We love this place for childrens books and games!

Great selection of quality kids books and toys

Parking is horrendous. Avoid unless off peak hours. Good place though

So much selection and fantastic play area and creative parties

Nice little play area in the back.

Huge book selection, my daughter loved it.

Great kids book store.

Great place to find gifts for children.

Lovely bookstore with excellent children collection. Preferred source of kids gifts!

Awesome bookstore with great gifts.

Great bookstore for kids!

They have so many options of things you can get there. If you are shopping for presents they have lots of books and toys. They will even wrap your gift for you.

Cute bookstore for kids!

Awesome kids store in downtown San Carlos.

If you are looking for childrens books, this place is worth a hike!

Great bookstore, gifts and toys!

Great books and staff