Blue Marble Books

Charming neighborhood children’s bookstore with a friendly, helpful staff and good selection of books across ages and genres.
On a recent visit with my 3 year old, we quickly found the dinosaur section and spent some time there before moving on to play with the train set and explore transportation-​themed books.
The proprietor remembered my son from a previous, recent visit and brought out a book he remembered that my son had liked last time, but not purchased, which I found pretty incredible. He also did an even exchange for us of a book we were returning and two new books with a slightly higher value.
You can probably buy most of the books cheaper online, but it’s hard to replicate the neighborhood feel, the friendly, personal service and the pleasure of browsing actual, physical books and importantly, for children’s books, scanning the whole thing before buying.

A children’s bookstore, the Blue Marble has been expanding the imaginations of Greater Cincinnati youngsters since 1979. My recent experience here demonstrated why this independently owned and operated establishment can compete with the big box stores. They have unparalleled customer service.
I was quickly greeted within minutes of entering by a friendly gentleman and was asked «Is there anything in particular that you are looking for?» Should I tell him that I’m looking for an obscure, German language children’s book from 1845, whose name I probably can’t even spell correctly? I did tell him, and he went to his online database without flinching. He spent a good fifteen minutes typing away as I butchered the book’s name («I think it’s spelled S-T-R-U-V-V…wait, um, maybe… I know the author’s first name is Heinrich.»).
Though he wasn’t able to locate the book based on the scanty details I gave him, he gave me a flyer with the web address of the independent booksellers’ database. Sure enough, when I went home I was able to find the book (called Der Struwwelpeter, a book of horrifying cautionary tales that makes Brothers Grimm seem like Barney). To my surprise, they even had an English version, which was translated by Mark Twain, that sells for less than $ 6!
The store itself is adorned with drawings from America’s most celebrated children’s illustrators. Upstairs, the owners have recreated the room from Goodnight Moon with amazing accuracy.
The Blue Marble carries over 30,000 titles, so next time you are looking for that rare find or just want to grab the newest Maisy, Dr. Seuss, or Fancy Nancy book, check out the Blue Marble. You just won’t have this experience at any mega-​bookstore.