The best bookshops: Quebec

Archambault
This Quebec chain that’s part music and musical instrument store, as well as a leading bookseller, has extensive titles in several children’s book categories, including dictionaries and reference manuals for little ones, as well as comic books in both French and English. Bookended on shelves are educational games, stuffed animals and arts and crafts.
15 locations
?514-849-8589; 877-849-8589
Archambault.ca

Brome Lake Books
In a village where both French- and English-language learning takes equal share, Brome Lake Books focuses its children’s section on English titles for school-aged kids. Here you’ll find popular titles for youth from Capstone Books (that specializes in kidlit). Stay tuned for publisher-sponsored events, which have, in the past, celebrated Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, Harry Potter and Peter Rabbit books with cake, costumes and readings.
264 E. Knowlton Rd., Knowlton
450-242-2242
BromeLakeBooks.ca

Kidlink Books & Toys
There’s no shortage of stimulating products, from captivating tales for preschoolers and adventure stories, to children’s non-fiction (exploring space, nature, history, sciences) and brain games (magnetic letters, abacuses, puzzles, musical instruments, construction blocks). Mom and dad are top of mind, too — Kidlink offers a unique top-sellers table of adult reads.
5604 Avenue de Monkland, Montreal
514-482-4188

Livres Babar Books/Babar en Ville
The family-run business with two stores carries mainly English-language titles (about one-third are French books) for children and parents. Hand puppets, dress-up clothes and plush characters complement the reads, so you’ll find beloved characters like Olivia along with a collection of her stories. Your tween or teen might want to catch a writing workshop there, too. In its “What to Expect” section, parents will find books dealing with everything from pot training and bullying to learning disabilities.
Livres Babar Books: 46 Rue Ste-Anne, Ste. 2, Pointe Claire
514-694-0380
Babar en Ville: 1235 Ave. Greene, Westmount
514-931-0606

La Maison Anglaise et Internationale
English-only books occupy the shelf space at this store, which frequently partners with educational and cultural centres teaching ESL (English as a second language). Bring kids ages three to eight for a reading on Saturday mornings. While you’re there, consider learning a new language — habla español? — by picking up some Spanish-language references and Spanish children’s bestsellers. They offer everything from popular children’s authors (like Oliver Jeffers) to bestselling adult fiction (George R.R. Martin).
Place de la Cité, 164-2600 Boul. Laurier, Quebec City
418-654-9523
LaMaisonAnglaise.com

Renaud-Bray
As the largest chain of French-language bookstores in North America, their in-store and online selection is enormous. They offer translated titles of kiddie favourites like Robert Munsch, as well as titles from the Winnie the Pooh and Caillou series. You can get free delivery for online orders of $39 or more.
27 locations
888-746-2283
Renaud-Bray.com