In the late ’90s, beloved children’s author and illustrator Tomie dePaola burst through the doors of Children’s Book World in Haverford. He’d come from a big-name bookstore down the street, where his publicist had arranged a book signing. Nobody had showed up. “Hannah!” he shouted to owner Hannah Schwartz. “You won’t believe what they had me do.”
Right then and there, dePaola started signing his books at Schwartz’s shop. Word spread quickly, drawing a crowd.
Thirty-five years later, Children’s Book World has stood the test of time—and it wasn’t easy from the get-go. Within five years of its debut, three major bookstores opened within a five-mile radius. They’ve all since closed. Schwartz initially taught English at Lower Merion High School, then went on to work at the Book House in Ardmore’s Suburban Square. Her tenure there inspired her to open Children’s Book World in 1989.
Two decades ago, Schwartz’s daughter came on board to assist her mother, taking on managerial responsibilities. Heather Hebert’s transition to owner seemed natural as her mother aged. Now in her 80s, Schwartz still works at the shop weekly.
A lot has changed in the industry over the past 35 years—not all of it bad. “It’s really grown in a wonderful way to include so many more diverse books than before,” says Hebert. “We now have books that are so inclusive everybody can find themselves in a book and learn about somebody else in one.”
But some things never change. “We’re still putting the right book in the right hands and making a difference,” says store manager Sally Drucker.

Years ago, Drucker frequented Children’s Book World with her children. “I came in for my son’s birthday, and somebody here said to me, ‘There’s this new book—it’s really popular in England. You’ve got to buy it for him,’” she recalls. “It was Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. He wasn’t a reader, but he stayed up all night reading.”
Two decades ago, Schwartz’s daughter came on board to assist her mother, taking on managerial responsibilities. Heather Hebert’s transition to owner seemed natural as her mother aged.
Drucker joined the team at Children’s Book World after she retired from teaching at Gladwyne Elementary School. “People have said to me, ‘Do kids still read?’ And my answer is ‘Oh my gosh, you’ve never been in the store when the next book in a series comes out,’” she says. “Yes, kids still read—and they love it.”
Proudly independent, Children’s Book World is dedicated to connecting with its customers. The store’s monthly subscription program handpicks books for young readers based on their interests. Kids can share their thoughts on the book—and what topics they might be interested in next—via a postcard sent with the selection. It’s an old-school approach that still works.
“People have said to me, ‘do kids still read?’ And my answer is ‘oh my gosh, you’ve never been in the store when the next book in a series comes out.’”
—Sally Drucker, Children’s Book World
The store also hosts author visits throughout the year, having welcomed the likes of J.K. Rowling, Chelsea Clinton, Henry Winkler and Julianne Moore. They’ve also brought writers to local schools and enhanced their libraries with donations, and a nonprofit arm is in the works to bring a 2025 book festival to the area. In November, the store hosts its annual Author Illustrator Night, inviting local talent for a mingle session with families and educators. “When my mom first started it, 30 people would come,” Hebert says. “Last year was up to almost 80.”
Hebert notes that Children’s Book World still provides tangible things the online shopping experience can’t. “We do more than just sell books—we really are part of the community,” she says. “[Amazon] doesn’t put money back into the community like we do. We make sure the schools get gift cards for their auctions, and we do events and fundraisers for local organizations.”
Ultimately, the store’s longevity can be attributed to its loyal customer base. “They don’t just want to buy a book—they want to know what their child is reading,” Hebert says. “I have customers that I picked books for coming back with their kids. In 35 years, I’d love for this store to be right here doing what it does.”
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