Wild Rumpus!

Several weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting a most amazing children's book shop called Wild Rumpus.  I was in Minneapolis for the day and had plans to meet Jen for an early dinner in the Linden Hills neighborhood.  Wild Rumpus is just down the street from Tilia which is where we agreed to meet.  Jennie told me about Wild Rumpus and said that if I had time I really ought to check it out.

I arrived about half an hour early.  Perfect!  I'd just pop in to see what it's all about.

Well, my friends, it was kind of like falling down the rabbit hole or slipping through a magical mirror because there's a whole other world inside Wild Rumpus.

Two doors...big and small

You can enter either through the big black door or through the little bright purple door.













I was met at the entrance by Ethel and Billina (or Carl Sagen, depending on who you ask)...two chickens who have the run of the shop during the day.  As far as I could tell, they're very tidy chickens.  And polite.

Ethel (white feathers) and Billina - or Carl Sagan, depending on who you ask -  (dark feathers)

A Painted Adirondack Chair

Of course, there are thousands of books for Young Readers.

You will find comfy seating here and there so you can sit and browse through books while you're trying to decide on your favorites.  It won't be easy but it will be fun!

Little Log Chairs...

There's a lot of whimsey here and there.  Like this ceiling...it opens to the sky (pretend, of course).

And the canoe...you just can't miss that canoe.  Hmmm...maybe that's not the sky...maybe that's an upside down lake?  We are in Minnesota, you know.  Could be.

Or a whimsical bear struggling to crawl through the window...

A whimsical stuffed porcupine?  Sure, why not?!






You'll find a Garden Shed at the back of the shop (bringing a little bit of the outdoors inside).

Behind the Garden Shed is a very chatty parrot in a huge cage...the lighting was tricky and my photo of the bird was less than spectacular so you'll have to take my word for it.

Inside the Garden Shed

The Garden Shed

Fan Letter

This is Amelia.  She's a dark grey chinchilla.  She was dozing and wanted nothing at all to do with me.


She and Mr. Skeeters live on the other side of the Garden Shed.  Mr. Skeeters is a tan chinchilla.


Then there are four friendly felines...a ginger colored beauty named Daniel Handler (no idea why) and a grey guy called Sumo Mouse.

Daniel Handler (ginger) and Sumo Mouse (grey)

Daniel H. and either Trini Lopez or Ida B.

There are also two black and white cats - Trini Lopez is larger and Ida B. is smaller.  I think that's Trini Lopez in the window.  But don't quote me on that.

That this is an award winning bookstore should come as no surprise.

That it's been a hugely successful INDEPENDENT bookstore for more than seventeen years is a real feather (pun intended) in their caps.

You'll want to visit the Rumpus History link on the website.  You'll learn about "The Book that Built a Bookstore"....the classic children's story, The Salamander Room.  It was the inspiration for this charming business.

You'll find a couple of other not-so-whimsical Wild Rumpus critters mentioned there, too.  No salamanders, though.  (As far as I know.)

I  know you'll enjoy and appreciate the story of this special shop.  You'll want to visit in person, too.  Bring a child or two with you and make it on a Monday so they can enjoy "Tail Time".  It's a story time that includes (quote) "...listening to stories, singing songs and making a ruckus..."

It will make their day!  And yours.