Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah LaPrade.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a lifelong reader, I began selling children’s books in 2017 with the goal of getting more books into the hands of children. In 2019, I expanded that mission by offering storytimes throughout the Portland metro area, creating opportunities for children and their caregivers to connect through stories, songs, and shared experiences.
Like so many others, my plans shifted in 2020. While in person storytimes were put on hold, I continued sharing books and looked for new ways to support families. As a parent of a young child myself, I quickly realized how isolated many families had become. There were children who had rarely interacted with other children, and caregivers who were craving connection just as much.
In response, I rented a large fellowship hall at a local church and began offering storytimes in a space where families could gather safely, prioritize their health, and reconnect with their community. What started as a simple way to share books became something much bigger. It became a place where families could see one another, support one another, and remember they were not alone.
Over the following years, I hosted weekly storytimes in toy stores, community centers, outdoor spaces, and other locations throughout the Portland area. Wherever there was room to spread out a blanket, open a book, and welcome a child, I was there.
As those storytimes grew, so did the community around them. Families began asking for more opportunities to gather, connect, and build friendships beyond a weekly event. It became clear that what people were looking for was not just storytime. They were looking for a community space where children could learn and play, caregivers could find connection, and everyone felt welcome.
That vision eventually became the Literacy Kid Lounge + Bookshop. After years of bringing storytime to borrowed spaces throughout the community, I opened a space of my own that was built around books, belonging, and connection. The Literacy Kid Lounge + Bookshop was created to be more than a bookstore or event venue. It is a place where children can learn, grow, and connect in their own way, where caregivers can find support and community, and where a shared love of stories brings people together.
What began with a small collection of children’s books has grown into a thriving community centered on literacy, relationships, and the belief that every family deserves a place where they feel seen, valued, and welcome. Every storytime, playgroup, event, and conversation is rooted in that belief. The Literacy Kid Lounge + Bookshop exists because families need places where they can show up exactly as they are, build meaningful connections, and create lasting memories together.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As with all small businesses, my journey has had its share of ups and downs. The biggest challenge was navigating the pandemic, which changed nearly everything about how families gathered and connected. What could have been the end of the story became an opportunity to rethink, adapt, and grow. One of my superpowers is the ability to pivot when circumstances change, and throughout the years I have found creative ways to meet the needs of families, even when the path forward was unclear. Each obstacle has taught me something new and helped shape the Literacy Kid Lounge + Bookshop into the community-centered space it is today.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The Literacy Kid Lounge + Bookshop is a community-centered space for children and their caregivers built around literacy, connection, and belonging. While books are at the heart of what we do, our mission goes far beyond selling books. We create opportunities for families to gather, build relationships, and make meaningful memories together through storytimes, playgroups, special events, classes, and community partnerships.
What sets us apart is our belief that children learn, grow, and connect in their own way. We intentionally create welcoming, low-pressure environments where children are free to engage authentically and caregivers can feel supported rather than judged. We recognize that learning doesn’t always look like sitting still, and that community is built when people feel accepted exactly as they are.
Over the years, we have grown from a small children’s book business into a thriving community hub serving families throughout the Portland metro area. We are known for our inclusive storytimes, relationship-focused programming, and our ability to create spaces where both children and adults feel seen and valued. Whether someone is attending their first storytime, joining a playgroup, celebrating a birthday, or simply stopping in to browse books, our goal is for them to leave feeling connected.
One of the things I am most proud of is the community that has grown around the Literacy Kid Lounge + Bookshop. What began as a passion for children’s books has become a place where friendships are formed, caregivers find support, local authors and small businesses are celebrated, and children develop a lifelong love of stories and learning.
At its core, the Literacy Kid Lounge + Bookshop exists because we believe books can bring people together. We believe every family deserves a place where they are welcomed, every child deserves opportunities to learn through play and exploration, and every caregiver deserves community. Everything we offer is rooted in those values.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
That’s a great question! I have always loved children’s books, especially those that focus on social-emotional learning. Understanding emotions, relationships, resilience, and child development has not only helped me as a parent and educator, but it has also helped me grow my business. The more I learn about what makes children tick, how they learn, and what they need to thrive, the better I am able to create meaningful experiences for families. Children’s books are such a powerful tool for helping kids understand themselves and the world around them, and I love being able to share that with the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pdxstorytime.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/literacyladypdx
- Other: https://bookshop.org/shop/literacykidlounge
