Children’s Book Trust
A huge selection of books for kids in various age groups. There’s a big selection in both English and Hindi.
>Nehru House, 4, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
Tel: 011 2331 6970
Web: www.childrenbooktrust.com
CMYK
Unique books kids would treasure. CMYK has loads of children’s activities, and there’s even a terrace upstairs.
> 15-16, Mehar Chand Market, Lodhi Road (near India Habitat Centre)
Tel: 011 2464 1881
Timings: Daily 10 am to 9 pm
Crossword Bookstore
> Select Citywalk Level 1, Crossword, Select Citywalk Mall Press Enclave Road, Saket
Tel: 011 4609 8500
Timings: Daily 11 am to 9:30 pm
Eureka!
Eureka is the city’s one and only bookstore dedicated to children. Located in a little market on the main Alaknanda road, the blink-and-you-may-miss-it shop carries the latest books and classics from Indian and Western writers. Monthly workshops are held where authors read from their books and children can participate in interactive storytelling and drawing sessions.
> 6, Local Shopping Complex, Narmada Market, Opposite Don Bosco School, Alaknanda
Tel: 011 2602 1092
Timings: Wed to Mon 10:30 am to 8:30 pm
Fact & Fiction
A nice selection of books and music to sing along to while you shop.
>39 Basant Lok Market, Vasant Vihar
Tel: 011 2614 6843
Timings: Wed to Mon 11 am to 8 pm
Faqir-Chand & Sons
The small Khan Market retailer has the latest best-sellers and will find it and hold it for you in case it is not in stock. Nothing is computerized so it can sometimes be frustrating.
>15-A Khan Market
Tel: 011 2461 8810
Timings: Mon to Sat 9:30 am to 6:30 pm
Full Circle
The Khan Market branch of Full Circle has travel, how-to, fiction, non-fiction and general best sellers on the ground floor and a very nice children’s book corner on the first floor with books from the crib to college. The store carries the classics and many interactive books, also. There’s a counter selling baked goods nearby and Café Turtle (see Eats, p.134) is one more flight up.
>5-B Khan Market
Tel: 011 2465 5641/43
Timings: Daily 11 am to 7:30 pm
>Saket, MGF Metropolitan Mall, Shop No. 13, 1st Flr
Tel: 011 4059 7541/2
>N-8, GK I, N Block Market
Tel: 011 2924 5641/44
Mama’s Little Donut
The toy store extraordinaire also has a nice selection of books that are not readily available in other stores around town. The books where a child’s photo can be inserted so he/she can be part of the story are quite the novelty items. The store sometimes conducts almost weekly story telling sessions in the play area outside.
>D-6 Soami Nagar (North), near Panchsheel Enclave
Tel: 011 4174 9243
Timings: Daily 11 am to 7:30 pm
Midlands Bookshop
Discounts on books year-round. This is definitely the place for voracious readers.
>20 Aurobindo Place, Hauz Khas
Tel: 011 2696 2718
Timings: Mon to Sat 10 am to 7:30 pm
Om Bookshop
With over 100,000 books to choose from, everyone in the family can find something interesting. Check out the website for more locations.
>E-77, South Extension Part I (near Bengali Sweet Shop)
Tel: 011 2465 3792/3
Timings: Tue to Sun 11 am to 9 pm
Web: www.ombooks.com
>45, Basant Lok, Vasant Vihar (Near Priya Cinema Market)
Tel: 011 2614 3530; 011 2615 6388
>G 13-16, MGF, Metropolitan Mall, DLF, Gurgaon (Opposite Barista)
Tel: 0124 401 5585; 0124 401 5586
>3 Community Centre Anupam PVR Complex, Saket (Near PVR Saket)
Tel: 011 4166 4206
>43, The Great India Place Mall, Ground Flr, Sector 38A, Noida (Near Atta market)
Tel: 0120 245 0066; 0120 245 0068
Oxford Bookstore
Wide selection of books, greeting cards, DVDs and CDs. Very much like Barnes & Noble in the US, there’s a cosy Cha Bar which serves teas and sandwiches, snacks, salad, fries, quiches and pastries.
Tel: 011 2376 6080
Timings: 10 am to 9:30 pm
Web: www.oxfordbookstore.com
Sunday book market
There’s nothing you won’t find in Daryaganj, and the sight of all those books spread out on the pavements is something the kids won’t forget in a hurry. A bit flea market, a twist of madness, but there’s order to the chaos or regulars wouldn’t keep coming back weekly.
>1.5 km area near Golcha Cinema
The Bookshop
The store regularly has readings and the selection is quite good.
>13/7 Jor Bagh Market
Tel: 011 2469 7102
Timings: Mon to Sat 10:30 am to 7 pm
Discount / Used bookstores
Anil Book Corner
What’s great about this place is you can exchange 2 books and get one book if the stall is so inclined. It’s a good deal if you like to read but are not wedded to building a whole library.
>Plaza Cinema Building, H block, Connaught Place (near PVR Plaza)
Nearest Metro: Rajiv Chowk
Tel: 011 2371 3223
Timings: Daily 9:30 am to 8:30 pm
Anjali International
Books can be had for as little as Rs 50. Lots of academic work books for kids and general fiction and non-fiction in good condition.
>II-J-10 Central Market, Lajpat Nagar, 14 Central Market, opposite Bata
Tel: 98109 37779
Timings: Tue to Sun 11 am to 8 pm
Jacksons Books
Brisk business is done from foreigners as the store stocks books in 25 languages. Books can be bought at half price and resold to the store at half the price. There is something for everyone here.
>5106 Main Bazaar, Paharganj, opposite Medikos Opticians
Nearest Metro: New Delhi Railway Station
Tel: 011 5535 1083
Timings: Daily 10 am to 11 pm
Three L Library
Excess used copies of some books can be had for half of the price listed.
>49 Main Market, Defence Colony
Tel: 011 2433 3576
Timings: Tue to Sun 11 am to 9 pm
Shopping Central
Indian clothing is synonymous with vibrant colours, silky fabrics and ornate work. From classic sarees to funky tunics, salwar kameezes and Western wear, the shopping malls, markets and stalls from Paharganj to Chandni Chowk, offer up bargains and designer clothes for everyone. Dig through the piles of denims in Sarojini Nagar or have shop assistants fawning over you in Emporio. The only dilemma would be whether or not to throw out the clothes you came with.
For the family
Fabindia
Find something for everyone and the house too at this one-stop shop. Garments, linens, rugs, accessories, organic foods, upholstery fabric and body care. Log on to www.fabindia.com for more store locations.
>Connaught Place B-28, Upper Ground Flr, Inner Circle, Connaught Place
Tel: 011 4151 3371/72/73/74
Timings: 10 am to 8 pm daily
>Greater Kailash, Part I 14 N Block Market (garments)
Tel: 011 2923 2183/84/85
>7 N Block Market (furnishings)
Tel: 011 2924 9306
>Karol Bagh 17 A/62, Ajmal Khan Road
Tel: 011 4504 6182/3
>Khan Market Central Hall, Above Shop No. 20 and 21
Tel: 011 4175 7142/43/44
>Lajpat Nagar, II I/1B, Ground and 1st Fl, Central Market, Lajpat Nagar II
Tel: 011 2981 0512/13/14/15
>Saket Select Citywalk Mall, 2nd Flr
&nbs
p; Tel: 011 4265 8392/93/94/ 95/96
>Vasant Kunj 10 Local Shopping Centre, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj
Tel: 011 2689 9775
For the kids
Apartment 9 Kids
This store, an offshoot of hip and funky furniture and furnishings at Apartment 9, has all kinds of knick-knacks to make the friends of your kids envious. From really cute toothbrush holders to pencils and sharpeners, wooden pegs for hanging things and photo holders, the list goes on and on. Parents will definitely leave there with happy kids.
>N-18 GK I, N Block market
Tel: 011 3243 8224
Timings: 11 am to 8 pm; closed Tue
Go here for affordable and comfortable shoes and great prices. Fashionable is not No. 1 priority here, but the selection is fine and the shoes aren’t too heavy.
>Go to www.bataindia.com/ for store locations
Benetton
Where else in the world can you get a dress from Benetton for only Rs 700? That may seem a bit high by Indian standards but if you know the dollar price, you know you’re saving a bundle. Go to www.benetton.com for store locations.
>E-13 Connaught Place
Tel: 011 4151 7950
Timings: 11 am to 8 pm
Catmoss
Children’s wear, mainly western at reasonable prices.
>G-1, South Extension Part I
Tel: 011 4134 9487
Timings: Tue to Sun 11 am to 8 pm
Ebony
Clothing and baby gear.
>D-4 South Extension Part II
Tel: 011 2625 9099
Timings: Tue to Sun 11 am to 8 pm
Elvy
It’s a hub for all things cutesy. Both the big and little boys may want to flee the store, but there are plenty of things with the word Princess scrawled over them to make the little princess happy.
>18 Square One Mall, Ground Flr, C-2 District Centre, Saket
Tel: 011 2956 2118
Timings: Daily 11 am to 8 pm
Web: www.elvy.in for more store locations
Esprit Kidswear
Dress your mini-me’s with stylish clothes akin to what is offered for adults.
>M-64 GK I, M Block Market
Tel: 011 4173 9970
Timings: 10:30 am to 9:30 pm; closed Tue
>F-12 Select Citywalk Mall, Saket
Tel: 011 4057 5098
Timings: 10:30 am to 9:30 pm
>E-2 South Extension Part II
Tel: 011 4608 1122
Timings: Tue to Sun 10:30 am to 9:30 pm
Fabindia
Lots of kids’ clothing to deck out the children and cushion covers to decorate the rooms.
>www.fabindia.com for outlets
Gift Palace
Toys galore at this store. All the brand names, doll houses, skate boards, inflatable pools, video games and DVDs. If they don’t have what you’re looking for, they will source it in a matter of hours or just a day or two. The Gift Palace even has catalogues to order big kids’ play houses and garden toys and birthday party planning is one of their strengths. From face painters to magicians and bouncy castles, all of it can be found here. And yes, you can score an elephant, too.
>52-B Khan Market
Tel: 011 2463 2640
Timings: Mon to Sat 11 am to 7:30 pm
Fast fact: The label on the toy gives information about the percentage of toxicity, the appropriate age group and the name and address of the manufacturer. It is wise not to buy unbranded toys that are hawked by vendors at India Gate and at traffic stops which are likely to carry no useful information about the toy. Many of the toys available in India carry an official European Community (CE) symbol on the toy. The symbol means the toy meets the safety standards set out by the EC. Toys imported from the US also carry safety information.
Kroma
An art gallery strictly dedicated to art kids would love. The paintings have a heavy splash of whimsy and cute animals. Paintings range from Rs 4,600 to 1 lakh.
>113-A Shahpur Jat, 1st Flr, near Asiad Village
Tel: 011 4175 2946 or 98117 53888
Timings: Mon to Sat 11:30 am to 5 pm
Web: www.kroma.in
Lilliput
Fashionable clothing for kids newborn to 12. Accessories include shoes, bags and sunglasses.
>G-15, 2nd Flr, South Extension Part 1
Tel: 011 4134 9411
Timings: 10:30 am to 8:30 pm; closed Tue
Web: www.lilliput-india.com for store locations
Mandira
Indian clothing, hair barrettes, baby blankets and stuffed animals and hand puppets. Not run of the mill offerings, so great gifts to take back home.
>25 Santushti Shopping Complex
Tel: 011 2410 1251
Timings: Mon to Sat 10 am to 6:30 pm
Mama’s Little Donut
The name sounds like a cute little snack shop, but it’s really a cute little toy shop. Mama’s Little Donut stocks everything from Victorian doll houses and puppets to wooden puzzles and non-electronic toys. You can buy toys that require batteries, but they happily tend toward the learning side. Delightful costumes and play tents and a play area out back make the shopping experience fun. There’s weekly story telling or activities held in the play area beside the store. Call for details.
>D-6 Soami Nagar (North), near Panchsheel Enclave
Tel: 011 4174 9243
Timings: Daily 11 am to 7:30 pm
Maya Toys
If you want to breeze in and out of Maya Toys, forget about it. And, please leave the kids at home as the shopping bags will be plenty and the wallet will be empty. Occupying 2 storefronts in Aurobindo Market, there’s toys floor to ceiling and huge catalogues to order what is not available in house. The store was opened in 1947, when India gained its independence.
>11&16 Aurobindo Place Market, DDA Market, Aurobindo Marg
Tel: 011 2652 6979
Timings: Wed to Mon 10 am to 8:30 pm
Mom & Me
This South Extension store has so many sweet things for mothers and children, it just might give you a toothache. With everything one would need from pregnancy and for kids up to 9 years old, the beautifully, spacious, brightly lit store is one-stop shopping. There’s even a little play area with low, colourful seating and a table for kids to play while parents shop.
>F-47 South Extension NDSE, Part I
Tel: 011 4614 2401
Timings: Daily 10 am to 8 pm
Okadi
The French label has set up shop in the Ambience Mall in Gurgaon and Select Citywalk in Saket. Parisian chic for ages 2 to 14 with prices from Rs 1000.
>S-29 Select Citywalk Mall, Saket
Tel: 011 4265 8359
Timings: Daily 10:30 am to 9 pm
Petals
The clothing here will put the spotlight on your children at any party. Really lovely selections of party wear.
>A-5 DDA Shopping Complex, Defence Colony
Tel: 011 2461 7698
Timings: 10 am to 8 pm
Ram Chander and Sons
Way before ‘Made in China’ became a slogan to avoid, Ram Chander and Sons has been selling quality toys since 1890. Although one can buy the latest toys, classic board games and wooden toys can still be found.
>D-1 Odeon Cinema Building, Connaught Place
Tel: 011 2341 2065
Nearest Metro: Rajiv Chowk
Timings: Mon to Sat 10:30 am to 7:30 pm
Sarojini Nagar
This is a bargain hunter’s paradise. Export surplus of brand-name jeans, T-shirts, skirts and dresses. Lots of children’s clothing to be had at Rs 100 or less.
>Timings: Tue to Sun 11 am to 8:30 pm
Smiles
With toys and more toys stacked from floor to ceiling and beyond the ceiling as there is a floor upstairs that mainly the sales people go to as they must fear that something may fall on your head before you make it to the cash register. They stock the latest trends and the clas
sics.
>3 Tamoor Nagar, opposite Gurudwara, New Friends Colony
Tel: 011 2683 1277
Timings: 10 am to 8:30 pm
2Feet
Designer wear from newborn to age 12. Selections for girls trump the choices for boys but the clothes aren’t run of the mill. It is designer Namrata Datt’s own brand and the range covers baby basics including bath soaps and lotions, Indian and Western party wear. Prices range from Rs 150 to Rs 6,500. Many items can be customized.
>Santushti Shopping Complex
Tel: 011 2467 5059
Timings: Mon to Sat 10 am to 6:30 pm
>S-32, 2nd Flr, Select Citywalk Mall, Saket
Tel: 011 2688 2408
Timings: Daily 10:30 am to 9:30 pm
Toy Kingdom
One-stop shopping for toys and they organize entertainment including bouncy castles and video games for birthday parties.
>38 Aurobindo Place, Hauz Khas
Tel: 011 4175 4095
Timings: Daily 10 am to 8 pm
For mom
Anokhi
Like Fabindia, Anokhi carries bright, comfortable clothing with generous cuts. The clothes are made using traditional patterns and organic dyes. The only downside is you’re likely to bump into people on the street wearing the same outfits. Just pat yourself on the back for having similar and good taste.
>32 Khan Market
Tel: 011 2460 3423
Timings: Daily 11 am to 7:30 pm
Web: www.anokhi.com
>Santushti Shopping Complex, Opposite Samrat Hotel, Race Course Road, NWC Air Force
Tel: 011 2688 3076
Timings: Mon to Sat 11 am to 7:30 pm
>Greater Kailash Part I N-16 2nd Flr, N Block Market