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 stocks stationery for back-to-school season and also board games for playtime. Hong Kong’s collection of English bookstores isn’t as few and far between as you may think, they often stock a newer and wider selection of English books as compared to public libraries (plus, we don’t always live near one) – we’ve listed the best bookstores in Hong Kong and also online bookshops for when you’re looking for a wider variety of books (with free shipping!).
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Bookazine – Bookstore with a wide collection of kids’ books, toys, snacks and more
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.
Bookazine, various locations across Hong Kong, 2555 0431, www.bookazine.com.hk
Seeds – A wide range of children’s books across all genres and interactive book club for kids
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
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)!
eslite, various locations across Hong Kong, 3419 6789, www.eslitecorp.com
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ReBooked – Preloved children’s books and family-friendly community events
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
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.
Books & Co., 10 Park Road, Mid Levels, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, 2559 5199, www.facebook.com/BooksAndCo
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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 when you’re there.
Cosmos Books, F, Basement & 1, 30 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2865 0708, www.facebook.com/cosmosbooks.hk
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!
Flow Bookshop, 1A Wing Cheong Commercial Building, 19 – 25 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 9278 5664, www.facebook.com/flowbooksnet
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 non-fiction).
Joint Publishing (HK), various locations across Hong Kong, 2523 0105, www.jointpublishing.com
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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!
Kelly & Walsh, Shop 204, L2 Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, 2522 7893, www.kellyandwalsh.com
Lok Man Rare Books – A collection of rare, first editions of children’s and adults 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.
Lok Man Rare Books, Ground Floor, 5 Chancery Lane, Central, Hong Kong, 2868 1056, www.lokmanbooks.com
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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.
Amazon, www.amazon.com
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.
Swindon Book Co., www.swindonbooks.com
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Editor’s Note: “Our Favourite Bookstores For Kids In Hong Kong” was most recently updated in May 2024 by Fashila Kanakka. Special thanks to Siobhan Bent and Najuka Redkar for their contribution.
Main image courtesy of Getty, image 1 courtesy of Bookazine, image 2 courtesy of Seeds, image 3 courtesy of eslite, image 4 courtesy of ReBooked, image 5 courtesy of Books & Co., image 6 courtesy of Cosmos Books, image 7 courtesy of Kelly & Walsh, image 8 courtesy of Lok Man Rare Books.