Blue Willow Bookshop: An Independent Bookstore Builds Community

Scholastic Kid Reporter Kush Kalra with Blue Willow Bookstore's Cathy Berner and Valerie Koehler (photo credit: Kush Kalra).

The entrance of Blue Willow Bookshop, an independent bookstore in Houston, Texas, features thousands of books shining on shelves, waiting for their lucky reader. Each novel contains an unforgettable adventure. Several familiar authors’ signatures are plastered on the walls of this hub that has been a vital part of the community for 52 years. The shop not only sells hand-picked volumes for all ages but also hosts book clubs and author meet-and-greets.

In April, Blue Willow is part of a month-long book crawl where readers can visit one of 25 independent bookstores throughout the city to buy books and win prizes. This will kick off on Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, April 26th.

Blue Willow Bookstore in Houston, Texas (photo credit: Kush Kalra).

Cathy Berner, Blue Willow’s Event Coordinator and Children’s Specialist, was previously a librarian and loves children’s and adult reads. In an interview, she shared that she hopes to foster a space where kids learn empathy from literature. 

“Reading should be a joy, not a chore. We encourage kids by putting interesting books into their hands. [They] can learn life experiences from books. When characters have challenges, they can experience that as well,” she explains.

Diverse Voices Create Inclusivity

Blue Willow is a place to find comfort and acceptance. Berner talks about the importance of storytelling in building a community.

“We live alongside people from all walks of life. [Readers] can find community by walking into our store as we welcome them or in a book when they [feel] seen. [This] makes books and characters seem like friends,” she said.

Kush with Cathy Berner of Blue Willow Bookstore (photo credit: Kush Kalra).

One part of the Blue Willow community is Margaret Buehler, a frequent shopper and English teacher at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory School. She states how the store feels like a home away from home.

“The owner of Blue Willow helped me raise my children. My two [adult] daughters come here when they come home to visit. It’s a different experience from a big-box bookstore. It’s like coming to your friend’s living room.”

For Buehler, reading is an integral part of life. She not only uses books as a tool for data but also for leisure.

“Books take me to other worlds. I read to get information, escape, and learn new things.”

The endless pages in Blue Willow encompass all those ways for readers to find exactly what they’re looking for. Whether adventure, fantasy, or news, Blue Willow has the right book for its fortunate readers.