Bookstores in Hong Kong stock it all, from children’s books, board games, stationery and more. From familiar names like Bookazine, Eslite and Flow Bookshop to online bookstores, here’s where to shop for books in Hong Kong.
The excitement in our kids’ faces when we lead them to shelves of their favourite books is priceless and we love a handy bookstore that also stocks stationery for back-to-school season and also board games for playtime. Hong Kong’s collection of English-language bookstores isn’t as few and far between as you may think. We’ve listed the best bookstores in Hong Kong and also online bookshops for when you’re looking for a wider selection of books.
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Seeds – Bookstore offering parent and child workshops
Founded by two parents who loved to read storybooks to their baby girls, Seeds bookstore offers Chinese and English children’s books of a broad variety. It also holds parent workshops and children’s story classes for kids from 1.5 to 6 years old.
Seeds, 10/F On Building, 162 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong, 2698 8939, www.seeds.com.hk
ReBooked – Preloved children’s books at this bookstore
ReBooked is a Hong Kong-based non-profit social enterprise founded and managed by students who wanted to enable a convenient, eco-friendly and accessible way to reuse preloved children’s books. You’ll find everything from board books, picture books, young adult fiction to non-fiction and study guides.
ReBooked, 1/F, 9 Mee Lun Street, Central, Hong Kong, WhatsApp: 6349 5025, www.rebooked-hk.com
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Bookazine – Bookstore with a wide collection of English language books and also American snacks!
Bookazine’s largest bookstore in Prince’s Building stocks more than 900 magazine titles and over 20,000 books in addition to a myriad of gifts (of which many are eco-friendly!). And if you’re on the hunt for best-sellers and that last-minute birthday card, their Lyndhurst Terrace location holds a treasure trove of trinkets perfect for kiddos.
Books & Co. – Second-hand bookstore in Hong Kong
With a cosy corner for coffee and snacks, Books & Co. is a go-to spot for many Mamas and their little ones due to its convenient location from Sai Ying Pun’s MTR station. It has an especially fantastic selection of fiction, including mystery, fantasy and romance.
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Cosmos Books – English and Chinese books, stationery and children’s section for books
Cosmos is home to a large collection of English and Chinese books and this bookstore also houses entertaining and educational games for children – we’re personal fans of their collection of puzzles. You can also sort out your stationery shopping where you’re there.
eslite – A mega bookstore housing English books, food and drinks and other lifestyle products
No longer just a simple bookstore, the eslite brand encompasses an art gallery, a theatre and performance forum and a ‘Gourmet Group’ dealing in wine, food and professional kitchen equipment. The mega-store is a wonderland of printed offerings with hundreds of thousands of titles, over one-third of which are English language books (not to mention a great selection of children’s books)!
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Flow Bookshop – A second-hand bookstore haven
A popular secondhand bookstore located in Sheung Wan, Flow may literally have books flowing down every shelf! You can also drop off any unwanted books you have at home to keep the flow of knowledge going!
Sassy Mama Tip: The bookstore is a little crammed so do not enter with any strollers!
Joint Publishing (HK) – Bookstore with various locations throughout Hong Kong
Chances are you’ve stumbled upon Joint Publishing when walking around one of the many urban areas in Hong Kong. You can pick up stationery whilst browsing through their collection of English and Chinese books (be it fiction or no-fiction).
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Kelly & Walsh – Impressive range of art and culinary books
Kelly & Walsh shines in the category of art and culinary publishing with an impressive and in-depth selection in an intimate, boutique-feeling shop. From super chefs Gordon Ramsay and Ferran Adria, to cult favourites like The Kinfolk Table, to seriously encyclopaedic tomes such as Jancis Robinson’s World Atlas of Wine, K&W’s cookery section goes above and beyond! There is even a cute little nook at the back for you and your little ones to cuddle up with a great picture book. Perfect!
Swindon Book Co. — Online bookstore for ordering textbooks
A handy website for ordering textbooks for school, Swindon Book Co. has been operating in Hong Kong since 1918! Associated companies are Hong Kong Book Centre and Kelly & Walsh Ltd., with Swindon being the only one offering online shopping. You can find books ranging from travel, fiction, arts, home and children’s books.
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Kubrick – Books about art, travel, fiction and more
For a beautiful, carefully curated selection of books in an uber-cool setting, head to Kubrick in Yau Ma Tei. This cute little bookstore has a range of art and design books, travel and cookery books, speciality magazines, novels and more. It’s the perfect place to hang out on weekend afternoons as it has its own cafe.
Lok Man Rare Books – Bookstore hosting a vast array of rare books
Conveniently situated on Chancery Lane in Central, Lok Man Rare Books offers a vast array of rare reads, from first editions to valuable folios. It’s home to a wealth of unique riches – modern and classical literature, children’s literature, history and more. The proprietor, Lorence Johnston, also offers visitors personal guidance and is readily accessible if you need help sourcing extremely rare books.
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Amazon – Anything and everything!
Yes, we’re all aware that one can find just about anything on Amazon. You can simply enter the name of the book you’re looking for and voila, a list of sellers will drop! We suggest making a list ahead and buying in one go for free shipping and maybe adding in some colouring books, colour pencils and any stationery your child is in need of.
Kidnapped – Children’s books, school bags, board games and more
If you’re around Sai Kung, you need to make a pit stop at Kidnapped, well the kids will drag you in either way spotting board games right at the storefront! Fully stocked with kids-friendly books be it fiction or educational, you can also pick up greeting cards, school bags and fun games while you’re there. And for the Mamas and Papas, there are handy books on parenting we find super helpful.
Editor’s Note: Kidnapped bookstore will be closing soon. Keep an eye out for closing sales on its Facebook page.
Read More: Sai Kung Neighbourhood Guide For Families In Hong Kong
Editor’s Note: “Our Favourite Bookstores For Kids In Hong Kong” was most recently updated in July 2023 by Najuka Redkar. Special thanks to Siobhan Bent and Fashila Kanakka for their contribution.
Main image courtesy of Unsplash, image 1 courtesy of Seeds via Facebook, image 2 courtesy of ReBooked via Facebook, image 3 courtesy of Books & Co., image 4 courtesy of Flow Bookshop, image 5 courtesy of Kelly & Walsh via Facebook, image 6 courtesy of Kubrick via Facebook, image 7 courtesy of Kidnapped.