Pointe-Claire’s Babar Books celebrates 40 years of stories and community
Posted September 30, 2026 7:12 pm.
For four decades, generations of readers have walked through the doors of Babar Books looking for their next great story.
The family-owned independent bookstore in Pointe-Claire Village is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, marking four decades of books, author visits and community connections.
Founded in 1986 by Maya Byers and Helen Gillespie, Babar Books is a specialty children’s bookstore carrying about 35,000 titles in English and French. The two-floor store has books for everyone from newborns to teens, along with a small selection for adults.
The store was named after one of Byers’ favourite childhood books, The Story of Babar. For her, books have been part of her life for as long as she can remember.
“It’s a passion for me. My first memories are of books. One of my first memories was an image from the Babar Book. So that helped with the name and I’m also passionate about reading and sharing reading and sharing the books I read with anybody who’ll listen to me,” Byers said. “That’s why I’ve been doing it for 40 years and I still love it.”
But Babar itself started with a much simpler idea.
Byers and Gillespie were watching their children play at a local playgroup when they began talking about what they might do next.
“We didn’t like working for other people and we loved books and Helen’s best friend’s mom had a bookstore in Auckland in New Zealand,” Byers said.
“We tossed that idea around for a bit and we decided there wasn’t a children’s bookstore in Montreal and certainly not on the West Island,” Byers added. “We decided to start our research and within less than a year we had the store open.”
Four decades later, the business has grown into a family affair. Byers continues to curate the store’s collection, while her daughter, Megan, oversees the business side. Megan’s husband, David, brings Babar’s books to new readers through school book fairs.
A bookstore built around community
For the Byers family, Babar’s 40-year history is measured in more than books sold. It is also reflected in the relationships built with families, teachers, librarians, authors and young readers who have returned to the store over the years.
Babar has hosted a long list of authors, illustrators and special guests, including Robert Munsch, Jeff Kinney, Philip Pullman, David Suzuki, Gordon Korman, Marie-Louise Gay, Mo Willems and Monique Polak, among others.
For Byers, book launches, especially those featuring entertainment and activities for children are one of her favourite memories from the store’s history.
“We used to have the launch parties for Harry Potter. I think our last one, there was 800 people at it. They had to close the street,” she said. “All of this tied into childhood memory is a great thing. I’m really pleased.”
The bookstore continues to promote authors and illustrators from Quebec and elsewhere, with a focus on local creators whose work might otherwise go unnoticed.
Barbar’s shelves also feature new releases and contemporary favourites with beloved classics.
For Byers, the collection is what allows Babar to meet readers wherever they are in their reading journey.
“These are just picture books that we have here. And there’s a few thousand of just picture books,” Byers said. “And we carry books from newborns to late teens and with a smattering of adult as well. But that’s just two small cases. But these are all children’s books.”
“There’s so much to choose from. I’m sure we can find a book for even the most reluctant child,” she added.
From paper lists to computer screens
The way Babar operates has changed since it first opened in the 1980s. When the store began, there were no computers tracking inventory. Receiving, organizing, shelving and selling books was mostly hands-on.
Since then, technology has made inventory and information easier to access, but the family has worked to preserve the knowledge and approach that have been part of independent bookselling.
For Byers, the importance of a bookstore comes down to what happens when a book leaves the shelf and becomes part of a child’s life.
“Reading is essential. Reading is the key to everything,” Byers said. “If you don’t read, you’re cut off from so much of what’s available to people and reading keeps democracy going. It keeps people reading and aware of what’s going on.”
She believes that relationship with books should begin from the earliest days of a child’s life.
“The most important thing is to share reading. From the day the baby is born,” Byers said. “Because even if they’re not understanding the words, they’re hearing the language, the cadence. You’re sharing something intimate with the child.”
Making room for the next chapter
As Babar celebrates 40 years, the bookstore is preparing to turn the page to its next chapter.
The business plans to expand its existing Pointe-Claire location by opening a wall into a new adjoining space.
The additional space will give Babar the opportunity to host larger author visits, book launches and community events. It will also include dedicated room to showcase local illustrators.
The bookstore also plans to expand its book club offerings and create a cozy gathering space.
Byers said the new space will give the bookstore room to host activities without having to rearrange the existing store.
“In the past we had to sort of move everything around for an event, but now we have, we’ll have a dedicated space,” she said.
Celebrating 40 years
Babar Books will mark the milestone with a 40th Anniversary Weekend on Oct. 17 and 18.
The free community celebration will include a special storytime featuring Gruffalo Granny, the new book in the popular Gruffalo series, along with raffles, book prizes and other activities.
The anniversary is also a chance to look at what Babar has meant to the generations who have grown up with the store.
“The children who came in started coming in with their own children. And so that was really exciting,” Byers said. “And the parents are now grandparents. They have the fond memories of coming to the store, coming to events at the store,” Byers said.
That connection is something Byers hopes will continue through the next generation of the family. Her daughter, Megan, is managing the store and is expected to eventually take over.
“I think there’s a clause that I can’t be fired, but I’m really pleased that she has the same beliefs and understands the importance of books and raising readers, you know, from the, from day one.”
For Byers, continuing to create a place where people who love books can come together is essential.
“I think the important thing is to keep preaching about the importance of reading to children,” she said. “And also, I love working with teachers and authors and any, I love book people.”
After 40 years, it is clear to see how much Babar means to her.
“It’s my life. It really is. I joke and say it’s my life’s work, but it really is. This is what I’ve done with the lion’s share of my life. And I’m happy.”
