Five bookstores that cater to Bengaluru's budding readers

Over the last 15 years, Bengaluru has become home to a growing number of bookstores dedicated entirely to children. These spaces stock thousands of carefully curated titles and often double up as learning studios, hosting storytelling sessions, workshops, author interactions and read-alouds. 

In Jakkur, Bond Over Bindings (BOB) is a two-year-old bookstore catering to children below 15. Founded by Neha and Dinesh Kumar, the store houses over 15,000 new and pre-loved books in English, Hindi and Kannada, spanning picture books, chapter books, Indian writing, global classics and hard-to-find titles.

Founded in 2019 by Sonia Lalwani, Fun ‘O’ Fable operates as an online subscription-based bookstore for children aged 0-12. The store curates monthly book boxes based on a child’s age, interests and reading history, with selections guided by child education experts. Carrying over 2,000 titles, the platform focuses on less known but critically acclaimed children’s books, including Newbery and Caldecott award winners.

Now in its 13th year, Lightroom in Cooke Town stocks between 6,000 and 8,000 titles for readers aged 0-18. The store also hosts workshops, reading sessions and exhibitions.

Established in 2013, Funky Rainbow in J P Nagar exclusively stocks children’s books by Indian authors for readers aged 0-18. Run by writers, illustrators and creative professionals, the store also operates as a travelling bookstore and book consultancy. 

Meanwhile, Booksetgo, founded in 2018, shifted its focus entirely to children’s books before opening a physical store in Seegehalli in 2022. Founder Supriya Anand said the store now caters to children aged 0-15, with activity books emerging as a favourite among readers.