Books are alive and well at this charming Brookline shop, where owner Terri Schmitz helps kids of all ages find the perfect rainy-day escape, sans batteries. Catch her when the little ones are fully engaged and reminisce about all the authors you loved as a child.

The Children's Book Shop | 237 Washington St., Brookline, MA | 617-734-7323 | http://www.thechildrensbookshop.net/