A Great Day for Kids and Books
Independent Bookstore Day on West Portal
• • • • • May 2024 • • • • •
Bookshop West Portal’s Independent Bookstore Day was a smashing success, bathed in sunshine for the first time ever! The festivities kicked off with a delightful spread of Richard Scarry-themed activities in the courtyard, keeping the younger bookworms thoroughly entertained.
The excitement hit a new level at 11:00 am with the arrival of a star-studded author caravan. Led by the ever-delightful Dave Eggers, the group included Rita Bullwinkel, Michael Chabon, Ingrid Rojas Contreras, Daniel Gumbiner, R. O. Kwon, Lauren Markham, and Vendala Vida. The atmosphere was casual and inviting, with authors mingling between the bookstore and the courtyard, signing books and sharing conversations with customers.
Bookshop West Portal’s Independent Bookstore Day was a perfect illustration of the magic that independent bookstores can create. It was a day filled with joy, connection, and a shared love of books!”
The afternoon brought back a beloved tradition: a visit from the adorable llamas of Circle Home Ranch in Sonora, California. These gentle giants, Cap (a spry five-year-old), Chai (a veteran visitor since the age of one, now six), and Yanni (a seven-year-old charmer) stole the hearts of everyone they met, leaving a trail of wide grins in their wake.
The fun wasn’t limited to just browsing and meeting authors. Every customer was offered a chance to take a “blind date with a book” and a raffle ticket. The grand prize? A rare, oversized, and signed edition of Dave Eggers’ Newbery Medal-winning “The Eyes and the Impossible,” complete with original artwork by the author himself!
The spirit of the day extended beyond the bookstore walls. A generous anonymous customer sent over a delightful contribution – 100 festive cupcakes from nearby Noe Valley Bakery.
Bookshop West Portal’s Independent Bookstore Day was a perfect illustration of the magic that independent bookstores can create. It was a day filled with joy, connection, and a shared love of books!
Susan Tunis is Special Projects Manager at Bookshop West Portal
May 15, 2024