L•M•N•O•Play!

What do you give a child who already has whatever latest toy happens to be sweeping the playground? A story, something to carry in their pockets and in their memory long after the packaging lands in the recycling bin. L•M•N•O•Play! turns bookshops into treasure chests, where picture books fat with illustrations sit beside chapter books whose spines creak with promise.

A stroll west on 77th from Columbus brings you to the pale-brick corner at 227 W 77th St, New York, NY 10024. Inside you’ll find shelves molded to smaller reach, low tables scattered with graphic novels, and a quiet corner just large enough for a shared read-aloud. Small hands can exercise choice with pick-up-and-pay picture books, story-time packets bundled for checkout, and book-match cards sized for tiny pockets. The shelves lean toward diverse authors and illustrators, and the store describes itself as women-owned, so the selection feels intimate and intentional rather than mass-curated.

Need to ask about gift cards before you arrive? Slide the phone across the counter or grab it on the way: 212-873-0131. The best route is already in your pocket—tap the directions here if the GPS still sends you through Central Park traffic: 227 W 77th St on Google Maps