Around Indies

The Mitten Word to Open in Michigan

Jim and Ginny Donahue

The Mitten Word Bookshop, formerly Battle Creek Books, is finishing up its relocation and will open its doors to the public later this month.

Owners Jim and Ginny Donahue decided to move the store and christen it with a new name based on the partnership possibilities between the bookstore and coffee shops and breweries in Marshall, which is located about 12 miles away from the store’s original location in Battle Creek.

On Facebook, the owners shared photos of the progress in the children’s section, which will be overseen by Ginny Donahue. “Additional new books will be coming soon, too! We appreciate the importance of reading aloud to young people. It’s great for everyone!” they wrote.

BookBar Featured on Comedy Central Show

Drag Queen Story Time at BookBar, as featured on Comedy Central

On Monday, April 9, Denver’s BookBar was featured for its Drag Queen Story Time on The Opposition Show with Jordan Klepper on Comedy Central.

“We are so thrilled to be taking not only what we do to a national audience, but to also illustrate the impact that indie bookstores can have on communities and the importance of creating inclusive and diverse spaces,” said BookBar owner Nicole Sullivan.

The full episode can be seen here. The segment starts around the 9:30 mark.

Bookmarks Receives $25K Grant for Bookmarks in Schools Program

Bookmarks, a nonprofit literary arts organization and bookstore in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has received a $25,000 grant from the Mebane Foundation for its Bookmarks in Schools program.

Through the program, 500 first graders from five local elementary schools will receive two visits by award-winning authors, plus copies of two hardcover picture books to start a home library. Bookmarks will also work with each school to select $1,000 worth of books for its library.

“By early May, over 1,500 books will be donated to these local elementary schools thanks to this grant,” said Bookmarks Executive Director Ginger Hendricks. “We hope these students will make wonderful memories from meeting these authors and will enjoy the two amazing books they will receive.”

The visiting authors are Kyle Webster (Please, Say Please!, Scholastic Press), who visited the schools in March, and Stacy McAnulty, author of multiple books such as Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years (Henry Holt and Co. Books for Young Readers), who will visit in April.

Strand Book Store Gets Creative in Times Square

This summer, designers will bring a variety of innovative and unusual seating elements to Times Square in New York City, including a “Title Wave” bench that will feature books from Stand Bookstore’s Times Square kiosk, reported AM New York.

The program is part of the Times Square Design Lab, organized by the Times Square Alliance. The “Title Wave” bench was designed by Hive Public Space and will be located near the Strand’s kiosk.

The bench and other seating will be unveiled in May.