Green Bean Books

Found this little bookstore while exploring Alberta Street. If I had a kid, I would love bringing them here. It’s adorable and would recommend it for families with kids! Lots of books for children and young teens. They host readings and little events once in a while as well. Love how they try to involve community activities!
LAYOUT: It looks small, but it’s a little bigger once you’re inside than how it looks from the outside. It’s very cozy, well-​decorated, and super kid friendly.
SERVICE: I didn’t buy anything, but the ladies who were working there were really sweet and friendly.
FIND LOWLY WORM: They have a little game in the store where you have to find Lowly Worm. I found him pretty quickly. It’s a fun thing to do once you’re there though. Great throwback for me as I loved Richard Scarry’s Busytown series haha.

Adorable! Lots of books, organized by category and reading range. Also other cute stuff for children from erasers to onesies. Staff was friendly and helpful. And they even have a frequent buyers club where you get a free book! Story time and author readings also featured. Check out this killer neighborhood spot for the kid in you or the ones in your life.

Everything you could dream about when you were a little kid comes true in this amazing bookstore!
so whether you have kids to share it with her just want to relive your childhood check this amazing unique adorable bookstore out!

I got a gift certificate from here for a gift. Super cute space and a really nice selection of kids books. The staff was really helpful and friendly too! I will be back.

I have to agree with everyone else – both the selection and the customer service was amazing. And my toddler loved it! We bought a couple of bilingual board books about babies (her latest obsession) and I left a happy (and future repeat) customer. :D

Quite possibly the cutest and well curated children book store I have ever stepped into. If this were in San Diego, CA I would be in all the time.
Admittedly, I buy most of my books on
but here you just can’t help being enchanted and delighted by the the thought that went into the selection and merchandising. I walked out with three books. Well done!

It’s bigger on the inside. (You’ll have to go inside to see…)
I adore this bookstore. Ever since I was little I’ve loved bookstores, and this store is exactly the kind of store I would have wanted to spend all day in as a child. As an adult I still miss bookstores, and since this store does carry some adult books I stop in and purchase books from time to time.
The store itself is whimsical and has nooks and crannies and surprises hidden away around each corner. Plenty of seating for both adults and children.
The staff is knowledgable and extremely helpful in assisting you with finding a new book for every age.
The store is geared toward children, but I’ve always been able to find great books for adults of all genres. Have also read several great fantasy books and science fictions here that were recommended by staff.

Best most wonderful kids bookstore ever! Yes their kids books but no you don’t have to be a kiddo have a great time there! Who knew literacy could be so much fun! Jennifer, The owner is super super cool and employees do a great job of helping you find any special selection! Go visit Kat and Earl today ;)

A great kids book store that exceeds all expectations! When my wife and I first entered this store we weren’t quite sure. It is small. But, much like the Harry Potter stories, the place is larger than expected. Books galore, with a knowledgeable staff that helps you choose the best books for the young ones in your life. On top of it all, you can buy mustaches in a vending machine. On top of it all, we learned that they also cater to adults, and can order any books you desire.

We come here at least once a week with our two-​year-​old son. The selection is wonderful, the couch is cozy, the outdoor patio is sweet, and Earl not only has great book recommendations but is a kind and lovely person to boot.

There aren’t any Indy book stores where I live, so was thrilled to come across Green Bean Books. I’ve got an avid 6^th grade reader and an 8^th grader doing his best to abstain from reading all together. The owner was able to help me on both fronts and I walked about with six books for the kids.
Owner was very knowledgable about her inventory, every book recommended she had read herself. So, there was no guessing, her choices were solid based on what I could tell her about my readers.
And she even had a couple books for me after I sheepishly admitted to being a fan of the young adult post-​apocalyptic genre.
Great service, great selection.

They have a great selection of books, and very knowledgable staff! Earl always helps me find books that are age appropriate and entertaining for the kiddo I’m buying for. I also love their window displays!

Cute place with wonderful selection. The guy working here could have used a bit friendlier personality. Was short and snarky with me but I purchased three books anyways. Typically with this type of experience I would have gone home and ordered from Amazon instead but the sun was shining, it was warm and gorgeous outside and I was in a great mood.

We found an event thru PDX children Calendar stating MLK Day Friendship Garland Craft at Green Bean Books. This was our first time here, walked in and automatically got greeted and asked if we need help finding something special. The moment we walked in, we could tell it was a very special place– not only there were books for sale but also small stuffed animals, hand puppets between the shelves and other small book related toys. We ended up staying more than 1hr, the couch, comfy chair makes it so warm and inviting and all the shelves labeled so everything is easy to find. This is one of those small nooks you enjoy going to on a rainy day withy your toddler or friend for toddler Storytime play dates, absolutely loved it, highly recommended and will defiantly be come back soon & referring our friends. I also see they have a FB page which I already ‘Liked’ I’m looking forward to many visits and events here :))

The store is amazing. We went in today and spend some time with my kids there. We were looking for a sports book, which they did not have however the man who was working behind the counter took special care to find a book that was relevant for my son. He’s already halfway through it! Love love love this space and the creative shadow boxes, books and gifts so thoughtfully selected and displayed within. Make time to visit. You will not regret it!!!

This is my fantasy bookstore come true. Lots of little magical knick knacks and «machines» based on popular children’s books. They also have a small, good collection of books for adults too if you feel left out. If you want to foster reading in your kids (or anybody’s kids for that matter) you should bring them here. Love this place!

I think this place is really super cute! I stumbled upon it while I was walking home one night… never noticed it before. I have, since then, purchased many books for my nephew there. They are way too cute to pass up.
The one «funny» thing that happened: Apparently they have punch cards… which is AWESOME… however after purchasing 4 books there in December, I returned to purchase 3 more in March. I was introduced to the punch card (conveniently) in March. But (here is the funny part)…I used my Chinook Book coupon for one of the books. The sales clerk kindly shared about the punch card (which I was ecstatic for… Im a true Portland-​er.) She only gave me two punches…“Since the third book was discounted” (Um, we are talking $ 2 off… Im confused). I was a little annoyed considering I «purchased» the book… shouldnt I still get a punch? Then I asked «If I bring my receipt back from December, can I redeem those punches, as well?» There was definite discomfort and skirting around answering the question, like, «There is no way to determine if punches were previously given.»
Ok…enter: record scratching. Um, not really sure why I would «lie» about never knowing about a punch card. I guess at this point I am the funny one… complaining about punch card rules, but my point is, you are a small (actually tiny) business… I like you and would rather support you over Powell’s…new children’s books can be expensive. So, if we are having a little punch card to draw customers back, lets be a little lenient on the «rules» here! Just sayin!
Otherwise, I truly heart this store.

I think one of the greatest crimes against literacy these days is putting childrens’ books on Kindles. Sure it’s convenient. But doesn’t something seem wrong about saying, «Okay Suzie, grab the Kindle and pick out your bedtime story!»? Do yourself and your kids a favor and bring them to this darling little shop instead.
Primarily the shop is devoted to children and youth books with a few games and toys designed to invoke curiosity and whimsy. There’s even a comfy little sitting area in the back. Every nook and cranny is utilized.
The adult section is decent and houses nearly every book group selection I’ve read in the last year. Most sections you would expect to find in a full size book store are represented, just slightly smaller in scope. I’m always a sucker for staff recommendations and theirs are useful. Prices? Reasonable, but not Amazon cheap either. The staff is incredibly friendly.
It doesn’t take much time to cover the entire space, but you’ll be glad you stopped in.

There is nothing bad about this shop at all that I can think of. I do find their adult book selection limited, but what limited adult books they carry are usually wonderful. The whimsical atmosphere and cosy little handmade touches to the shop are what really make this a place worth visiting again and again. From a mustache vending machine to little dioramas that depict different books, the ingenuity and creativity that goes into every little nook and cranny is very apparent.
My favorite part: in the spring/​summer time there is a tree/​bush (I really don’t know what it is) that you can crawl into and read inside of. I would have died to have a shop like this when I was my little book-​nerdy kid self, and I hope that when I have children they can appreciate Green Bean Books just as much.

Portland, Children’s Literature and Alberta Street are by far a few of my favorite things in life, so it’s natural that I would quickly fall in love with the fabulous Green Bean Books. Housing both new and used selections, this spunky little shop has enough books, gadgets, and events to entertain everyone that stops by.
Being the organization freak that I am, I no doubt appreciate the thoughtful organization of the wide assortment of books. My favorite section is by far the Science area where the Earth/​Space, Life, and Physical Science books are all separated so I can easily find appropriate fiction and non-​fiction books that compliment my Science lessons. In addition to content specific areas, books are grouped into the developmentally sound categories of: baby/​toddler, picture, middle reader, youth adult, and adult. I have noticed in the general fiction (especially picture) books have also been categorized into themes such as back to school, friendship, death, bullying, etc. to serve as a wonderful resource for the gifts and curveballs life throws.
Aside from books, there are lots of random and entertaining findings around the shop like: a mustache machine, finger puppet machine as well as trinkets like the highly explosive and dangerous box that you should not open at all. Periodically, the wonderful and adorable staff also organize events like story time for the little ones, author visitations and educator/​librarian nights. I recently attended the education event that which was a ton of fun (with a small group of like minded educators, helpful book talks of recent releases, raffles and wine… what else could you ask for?!?)! I can only hope that more events like that will be in the future, but until then I will keep stopping by for staff recommendations and checking out their goodreads account.
While I would love to keep this shop under the radar and all to myself, I can’t help but recommend it to everyone. If Jenny C (aka Miss I-​think-​kids-​are-​sticky-​and-​weird) can survive and even like this store, I am positive that everyone will find a bit of joy stopping by.