The best bookshops: Nova Scotia

Tattletales Books
Go ahead and give kids permission to crack open a book, touch the toys and make themselves at home, says owner Anne Whebby. Her family-focused shop specializes in books for infants to high-schoolers. A big supporter of literacy initiatives, Tattletales has also collaborated with schools to raise money for local school libraries. Her non-fiction section has been continually growing, with captivating reads on the solar system, mapping, flags and wildlife, among others.
569 Porland St. (Penhorn Plaza), Dartmouth
902-463-5551
TattletalesBooks.ca


Woozles
Oodles of fun await you at this vibrant children’s bookshop that boasts more than 30 years in business. Take a seat in a comfy chair and cuddle up while reading to your wee one, or attend a weekly storytime (held at Sugah! in the Public Gardens for the summer) . The shop hosts book clubs for various age groups, posts recommended reading lists, holds writing competitions and interviews well-known children’s authors for their blog. Pass along your love of books to a newborn by signing up for the Baby’s First Year program, which sends your babe one book each month for a year .
1533 Birmingham St., Halifax
902-423-7626; 800-966-0537
Woozles.com

The Whirligig Book Shop
New and used books get equal shelf time in Whirligig, and one-third of the store is made up of an assortment of titles suitable from birth to 18 years old. What’s more, parents get a store credit for trading in nearly new books.
135 Water St., Shelburne
902-875-1117
TheWhirligigBookShop.com

The Nurtured Nest Children's Boutique
Consulting her two daughters (ages six and 10), owner Korene Pitts handpicks each book that sits on store shelves. Of particular note are titles by Canadian authors, especially local and Maritime writers. Pitts gets hands-on in other ways, too: You’ll often see her reading a book to children in between serving customers, who also come to the Nest for prenatal and infant products for expectant and new moms.
208 Main St., Antigonish
902-735-3993