On a quick trip to Brookside on Saturday, I discovered a magical place, a bookstore for children where I wanted to spend hours.

Reading Reptile is Kansas City’s oldest independent bookseller and (according to the bookmark, anyway) is known across the country for its inventory. While I was there I read a father-son book by Will Smith (you know, the Fresh Prince). I bought a book titled Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith, which features hands-on activities like “Glue Random Items Here” and “Lose This Page” and “Space for Negative Comments: What Is Your Inner Critic Saying?”

But it was the decorations that really wowed me. Papier-mache creatures hung from or sat in every available spot. I walked through the doorway, which I think is a crocodile, and immediately wanted to take pictures.

The back of the store was devoted to craft activities for kids.

I even got a picture of the book cat, who was a calico rather than a Cheshire cat.

Brookside, one of Kansas City’s trendy neighborhoods, is located a few blocks south of the Country Club Plaza. Reading Reptile is between Brookside and Wornall on 63rd.