Talking Animals Books has turned the upstairs of its original Grapevine storefront into an enchanted forest for kids.

The new lounge at 103 W. Worth St. opened Aug. 31 and features a hand-painted forest mural, artificial trees and grass, vines, fairy lights, a playhouse, seating areas and toys. Co-owner Valerie Walizadeh came up with the enchanted forest theme, according to Community Impact.

Celia Strang, the daughter of one of the bookstore's employees, painted the mural and designed the trees and playhouse. Strang also paints the window displays at the store's second location on South Main Street.

Co-owners Katy Lemieux and Walizadeh first opened Talking Animals Books in 2023 inside a 122-year-old building that was once a bank robbed by Bonnie and Clyde's gang, according to Hoodline. A preserved teller station inside now serves as a children's reading nook. The staircase wall features displays documenting the robbery's history.

The pair raised $54,000 from more than 350 donors through a late-2022 Kickstarter campaign to get off the ground. When it opened, the shop became the first independent bookstore in Grapevine's history, Hoodline reported, citing Community Impact.

In late June, the owners converted the Worth Street shop into a dedicated children's bookstore, keeping just one shelf for adult titles. Their newer location at 909 S. Main St. offers a wider book selection and a coffee bar.

Lemieux told the Star-Telegram in July that the second location gave the owners more physical space and let them refocus the original store on families, "which was really central to what Valerie and I wanted to accomplish."

The store also has a changing table in the bathroom.

D Magazine named Talking Animals Books the Best Bookstore for Kids in its Best of Big D 2025 issue. Lemieux said the store plans to host activities during Grapevine's Christmas Capital of Texas season, though specific dates have not been announced.

"It's always been a goal that kids feel welcome in the store and during our activities even if they aren't readers," Lemieux said.

Both locations are in downtown Grapevine. The children's store is at 103 W. Worth St. and the general bookstore is at 909 S. Main St. Ste 104. More information is available at talkinganimalsbooks.com.

Upcoming: Talking Animals Books plans holiday programming during Grapevine's Christmas Capital of Texas season. Dates and details have not yet been announced.