Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Bistro - CLOSED050

Joseph-Beth Booksellers has a knack for bringing big-name authors to town, including Pulitzer and Newbery award winners. Another part of its appeal is the giant-sized children's room that gives kids space to move, nifty benches for sitting, and thick sprawl-inviting reading carpets.

Joseph-Beth also hosts frequent and unique, fun events for kids, including Little Peoples' storytime. The approximately half-hour storytime is generally geared for the preschool set. A Just for Kids event is scheduled just about every weekend, and teens and tweens can join in events, book clubs, and other happenings especially for older kids held several times each month.

Of course, a big book selection is a given in a bookstore this size, and Joseph-Beth has books that appeals to the pickiest reader and a few titles even the most ravenous reader hasn't yet devoured, plus a broad assortment of puzzles, games, and American Girl book/gift sets (but not the dolls).

The Bronte Bistro is something of a surprise, not because it exists inside the store, but because its menu is so full-bodied. The selection (baked brie and crab cakes, for starters) will impress adults more than children, but the Kids Menu offers more than you (and they) might expect, too. In addition to regulation items of pizza, chicken tenders, grilled cheese, and mac and cheese, the Bistro also serves Peanut Butter and Jelly on wheat and Kiddie Pancakes. Children's selections run $3-$4.

And for bleary-eyed parents, good news: the Bistro serves an even dozen coffee and Espresso drinks.