About Us

We are your local, family owned, independent bookstore! 

Founded in 2008 by Diane Savage and her Daughter-in-Law, Lauren Savage, The Reading Bug has always been about creating experiences that bring families together and promote a love of literacy. Imaginatively designed to look like an enchanted forest - complete with toadstool seating and surprises around every corner, The Reading Bug bookstore isn't just a place to buy books.  It's a unique place for families to shop, learn, play, socialize, expand imaginations, and grow. The Reading Bug's staff is dedicated to our mission and delights in matching the perfect books to each reader that comes through our doors.

The Reading Bug bookstore offers an extensive calendar of special events to keep parents and kids busy nearly every day. Storytimes, sing-alongs, author visits, discussion groups, book clubs and craft days are just a few of the many activities you can find at "The Bug." In 2011, we expanded our store to more than double its original size, offering even more room for books and gifts, as well as a dedicated event space to host the wide variety of activities and authors that we offer.  

In 2015, we expanded again - this time with a global audience in mind. Reading Bug Box was born out of a successful Kickstarter campaign and our desire to bring the personalized, intimate, independent bookstore experience to communities who aren't fortunate enough to have an indie bookstore of their own.  Delivering a personlized selection of books to children across the globe, Reading Bug Box has thrived and we now ship books to children in every one of the 50 United States and beyond!

Our most recent endeavor is the Reading Bug Adventures podcast, a story podcast for kids, written, produced and performed by us! With this podcast, we hope to introduce children everywhere to new adventures, new worlds and new books - and to have a lot of fun on the way of course.

The decision to open and run a children’s bookstore is an endeavor that has involved the entire Savage family - and you can find most of us in the store throughout the week. We're constantly thinking of new ways to support our mission and are extremely excited about the next chapters ahead of us.

Thank you for your help in supporting our independent business!  

-The Reading Bug

 

FAQs

WHAT ARE YOUR HOLIDAY SHIPPPING SCHEDULES AND DEADLINES?
To avoid shipping congestion and guarantee ontime delivery, The Reading Bug recommends upgrading to Priority mail services if possible.

Gift items and books that show "on our shelves" are able to ship in 1-2 business days. Other items ship from US warehouses, and may take 7-10 days before they are ready to ship.
For "on our shelves" items, our recommended order dates for on-time Christmas delivery (as outlined by USPS and UPS) are as follows:
- Standard Mail: Dec. 14
- Priority Mail: Dec. 17
The Reading Bug recommends placing your orders well in advance of these dates, if possible.

QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR READINGBUG.com or READINGBUGBOX.com ORDER?
The best and quickest way to reach us is via email at weborders@thereadingbug.com. ALL SUBSCRIPTION BOX questions should be directed to Bugbox@thereadingbug.com.  Call 650-591-0100 for inquiries during normal business hours, but kindly understand with our small staff, we are not always able to answer the phone. EMAIL IS BEST!

WHEN WILL MY ORDER BE AVAILABLE FOR PICK-UP OR SHIPPING
We have many books and gifts "On Our Store Shelves" now, and available for pick-up or shipping within 24 hours of your order, other titles are available in warehouses around the country and may take 2-5 days to arrive in our store or ship. Once you place an order, we will email you with the status.  You can read more about book and gift availability statuses here: https://www.thereadingbug.com/blog/curbside-pick-ups-and-covid-faqs

PICK-UP & SHIPPING SERVICES
Upon completing your order, you can choose to pick up your order in-store, or select from a number of standard US Postal Service delivery options. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer free shipping due to the ever-increasing costs of the post office. Small businesses do not get the same price breaks for shipping costs that big box stores receive. Free in-store pick-up is available just inside the front door!

ARE YOU THE SAME AS READING BUG BOX?
Yes! Reading Bug Box is our popular monthly subscription box offering and you can learn more at www.readingbugbox.com. You can often see us packing subscription boxes for readers across the country in our store. For questions about subscriptions, please email bugbox@thereadingbug.com. Unfortunately, we use two different systems forour store and our subscription, so customer information and gift cards cannot be shared accross websites. If you'd like to use a Reading Bug Box gift card for a purchase on this website, please contact us.

WEBSITE AND STORE RETURN POLICY
Books & merchandise in good condition, original tags attached, and with a receipt may be returned within 14 days to the store. Returns of delivered items may also be handled by The Reading Bug's website customer service at weborders@thereadingbug.com.  Plush from the bookstore and Reading Bug Boxes are non-returnable.

I WANT TO WORK AT THE READING BUG!
We'd love to have you! The Reading Bug is frequently hiring for multiple positions. Submit your resume and cover letter to us in person at the store or by email at contact@thereadingbug.com.

AFFILIATE PROGRAM
Help us spread a love of literature across the globe.  The Reading Bug does not currently offer an affiliate program for our store, but we do have an affiliate program for our subscription box service, Reading Bug Box. Generate income through your own website by becoming an affiliate today