Moon & Back Bookstore opened last month in West Medford, Mass., Macaroni KID reported. Located at 458 High St., Moon & Back Bookstore is a children's-only bookstore with a mission of empowering children to "embrace what makes them unique, so they will grow into kind, smart humans that will be a force for good in the world."
From February 13-15, owner Michelle Smith held a weekend full of grand-opening festivities that included a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Medford Chamber of Commerce, a storytime led by the mayor, and a variety of giveaways, raffles, and treats.
At present, the store hosts weekly storytime sessions, and in the months ahead Smith plans to expand those offerings to include author events, book clubs, and additional storytimes for special events and holidays. The space is also available for rent on Sundays for private events like birthday parties and baby showers.
Smith told Macaroni KID that she was inspired to open the bookstore after seeing the need for it in the area and deciding "that I could do it myself, and that I could do it in a way that aligns with my values and aspirations for the kind of community I want to be a part of. I took to heart the Gandhi inspired quote, 'be the change you wish to see in the world.'"
When it came to assembling the store's inventory, she began by looking at her home collection of children's books and expanding from there. She also consulted with librarians at local schools and public libraries, to make sure there would be something for everyone.
Smith noted that the store's name was inspired by Sam McBratney's Guess How Much I Love You: "I always ask my boys, 'do you know how much I love you?' and follow it up with 'to the moon and back.' They hear this so often that when my youngest was one, his very first phrase was 'moon and back!' "