Books, especially for kids, are friends, gateways, and guides, which lead into myriad worlds of make-believe, information, instruction, and expression. The expectation of feeling the paper, inhaling the fragrance of the ink, gauging the weight of the book in their hands, and releasing the words trapped beneath the covers all build excitement anew for each book.  

Here are five stores in Mumbai you and your children will relish browsing through and buying from.  

Kahani Tree, Prabhadevi  

Hand-picked titles are the USP of this much-loved store. Its selection of unusual books by independent publishers from India and the world makes Kahani Tree a top-priority space for children. The walls are packed with titles inclusive of bilingual and regional-language books. The minutes will fly by as they browse through the shelves, plus no one will bother you to buy. All that Kahani Tree suggests to the kids is that they buy a book by any one Indian author. Started by Sangeeta Bhansali, the store has flourished into a full-fledged shop from one wall in her office at Vakils. Kahan Tree also organises author interactions in schools and bookstores and helps set up libraries and reading rooms. Their story-telling sessions are very popular with kids and parents.   

Trilogy Bookshop and Library 

Awarded the Publishing Next Industry Award 2018 for Bookstore of the Year, Trilogy Library and Bookstore intensely and thoroughly curates books for the young reader. Launched in 2015 by the couple Meethil Momaya and Ahalya Naidu, Trilogy has a children&rsquos section and a library for adults. There is something here for every child, from regular books and graphic novels to ones with poetry and illustrations.  

Granth, Juhu

Overlooking the Juhu-Tara road, Granth is highly visible owing to its placement on a prominent corner. Launched in 1999 by the founders of Shree Book Centre, another Mumbai landmark, the store keeps its books for children on the second floor. Here you will find many a kid standing and bent over a book as they get lost in its world, never mind that there are cosy reading nooks available.  

Bargain Book Hut 

Founded 60 years ago in a by-lane of Kala Ghoda, this chain of stores now has 15 outlets across six cities in India. Considering their reduced prices, Bargain Book Hut is the place to go for books your kids' demand. After all, their tagline is &ldquoOur prices are insane.&rdquo

Spellbound, Juhu 

Launched more than 15 years ago by book lovers Hemangini and Rajendra Babla, this lively bookstore caters to kids of various ages. You will find volumes ranging from storybooks to ones about English grammar and arts and crafts. The couple has travelled the world searching for books, and they have more than 4,500 titles imported from the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. They are also exclusive distributors of Letterland UK, a family-owned independent publisher.