When we visited the Bowers this weekend, we shared a few quick photos on Instagram Stories of a delightfully charming children’s bookstore. The response was immediate: dozens of messages asking for a full post so the shop wouldn’t disappear from the internet. So here you go — a longer look at the photos (and some we didn’t post) for anyone hunting kids’ room ideas or inspiration for whimsical adult spaces. We all adored this place. It’s in Monroe, Georgia and it’s called The Story Shop — quite possibly the cutest bookstore we’ve seen. Believe me when I say it’s worth visiting.
That grand bookcase with the library ladder and the globe collection gives the store an old-library vibe updated with playful color and details. The cheerful aqua accent wall felt fresh — something like Benjamin Moore’s Misty Teal would recreate the effect nicely if used sparingly on a single wall, a door, or a piece of furniture. My favorite little touch at the entrance was an antique TV under a pink side table with the words “read instead” painted on it in white.
One pattern that immediately caught my eye was a peel-and-stick wallpaper called Wild by Chasing Paper. It’s removable and reportedly easy to install, making it perfect for a feature wall behind a child’s bed or behind a reading nook. Bright, painted animal heads mounted on the wall added a playful, handcrafted feel — some wore glasses, a crown, or a mustache — and a handmade sign listing literary locales was just one of many clever bookish references scattered through the shop.
And then there was the wardrobe that actually led to a hidden room. Kids — and adults — could climb through, and it was an instant hit. We’ve seen similar ideas used in grown-up bedrooms as secret closets, and the effect is just as magical: an unexpected, playful passageway that transforms a space.
Curious about what’s behind the wardrobe? Not lions or witches, but a whale-themed storytelling room. They filled the large floor area with two identical rugs instead of buying one giant rug — a smart, budget-friendly design move that maintained balance and made the space feel intentional.
There was also a round “hobbit hole” door leading to a tiny play area — the kind of entrance that sparks a child’s imagination. I remember a store like that as a kid; it made everything else seem boring by comparison. We once featured a home in our book with a mousehole passage between two kids’ rooms, and it’s still a favorite idea years later.
That hobbit hole was put to good use, surrounded by fun details: a brick wall covered in decorative butterflies, a felt garland strung from driftwood, and storybook nods like Peter Pan’s shadow. Small, clever touches like these turned every corner into a little discovery.
Kids gravitated toward a corner swing the shop hung, taking turns peacefully while a peaked “bookcase village” showcased stories from around the world. You could recreate a similar cityscape of shelves at home with DIY bookcases or small pre-made units for a condensed version.
Books suspended from the ceiling by string created a whimsical canopy. Their pages were bent to hold a fanned shape, giving a fun view from below. The selection on display included eye-catching titles and biographies that add diversity to any children’s collection.
The store stocked a handful of toys, costumes, and t-shirts, but instead of conventional clothing racks they hung colorful chairs from the wall, one with a Humpty Dumpty illustration balancing on it — a delightfully unexpected way to display merchandise.
Back to that large bookcase: nearly every piece of art incorporated a literary reference, from Baby Lit prints to subtle nods like Belle’s rose in a cloche. A Cheshire Cat mouth ironed onto a chair and other hidden gems showed how much thought went into the design. It felt lovingly curated at every turn.
A shelf of rainbow-spined classics tugged at the book-lover’s heart. A lineup of hardcover Puffin titles and Penguin editions made me want a matching collection at home — and maybe to let the kids borrow them, too.
They even crafted giant painted paper flowers like the Queen’s roses from Alice in Wonderland — another spectacular handmade element that made the space feel theatrical and imaginative.
Off to the side is a dedicated party room where they host themed events. The Peter Pan setup they were prepping featured playful table details like thimbles labeled “Kisses From Wendy” and a ticking clock prop — full commitment to the theme. Adults and kids both seemed thrilled by the imaginative setups.
Twinkle lights overhead, faux grass on the wall, and string lights completed the outdoor-courtyard feeling, perfect for storytime or a themed gathering. Every decorative choice supported the idea that reading can be playful and theatrical.
Certain chairs made me swoon — hand-carved pieces with whimsical shapes and animal motifs that felt more like art than furniture.
The back of the store continued the clever, playful tone — even the signs and staff-only doors fit the storybook aesthetic and made the whole visit feel cohesive and charming.
During our visit I briefly channeled my inner Belle while Katie rested for a moment. The designer, Stephanie Cannon, even recognized us when we were there — a fun full-circle moment since she reads the blog and listens to our podcast. It was a sweet and slightly surreal encounter.
If you’re passing through Monroe or live nearby, The Story Shop is absolutely worth a stop — and even if it’s a bit out of the way, it’s road-trip worthy. Support independent bookstores when you can: they create unique, community-minded spaces like this one that are impossible to replicate online.
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