🐿️✨ August Adventures: Markets, Milestones & a Bookshop Puppy

📚 New authors, fresh adventures, and cozy celebrations… August was full of magic. ✨

August came bursting with adventures, celebrations, and a few surprises we can’t wait to share. From market days by the sea to Bali sunsets, birthday cake to puppy cuddles - here’s a peek at what we got up to this month at Squirrel & Sparrow!

🛠️ Whimsy Wagon Update

The Whimsy Wagon is inching closer to becoming the roving book nook of our dreams.

We’ve been busy adding touches of coziness and charm to transform the caravan into a space where readers can step inside, breathe in the magic, and wander through shelves of indie treasures.

It’s still a work-in-progress, but every little update makes us more excited for the day we finally hit the road and bring the bookshop straight to you.

To help fund the renovations, we launched our GoFundMe, and the response from our community has been nothing short of amazing. If you would like to donate, share, or send us words of encouragement, we would be so very grateful! Every dollar brings us closer to making this dream a reality. 🧡

🪧 A Fresh Sign of Things to Come

Our brand-new sandwich board arrived, and it’s everything we hoped for!

Now, when you spot us at markets or events, you’ll know you’re in the right place. It’s a small touch, but it feels like a big step in helping our little bookshop stand tall and wave hello to curious readers passing by.

🌊 Market Magic at Victor Harbor

This month, we took a trip down to the Victor Harbor Beachside Market, and what a joyful day it was!

The salty breeze, the buzz of community, and the endless rows of makers made it the perfect backdrop for bookish conversations.

Days like this remind us why we love being part of such a creative, supportive community.

We had the pleasure of meeting the wonderful owner of Scented Pages, whose book-inspired candles instantly had us swooning. We also caught up with the lovely Courtney Merritt, author of Embers of the Fallen, and swapped stories about writing, reading, and everything in between.

🌴 Bali Break

Kristen traded stacks of books for sunshine and palm trees this month, sneaking away to Bali for a week of well-earned rest. There were beach walks, bright cocktails, and plenty of time to recharge after a busy season. Sometimes the best way to keep the bookstore magic flowing is to step away, refill your own cup, and return with fresh energy. (Though we have to admit, we may have been just a tiny bit jealous of those sunsets!)

🎂 Birthday Feels

August also brought a special celebration - Jade’s birthday! We marked the occasion with a surprise gift: a cozy night away at a B&B. It was the perfect mix of quiet, comfort, and cake, with just enough breathing space to pause and soak up the year gone by. Running a small business keeps us on our toes, so it was a real treat to stop, celebrate, and reflect on how far we’ve come.

🐾 Meet Whimsy!

And now for the fluffiest news of all: Kristen has a new puppy! Meet Whimsy, the official bookshop pup-in-training. With her curious eyes and boundless energy, she’s already stolen our hearts (and more than a few socks). The plan is for her to join us on the road once the Whimsy Wagon is ready, making her the perfect sidekick for our traveling bookstore adventures. We can’t wait for you to meet her in person - though fair warning, she may demand belly rubs as an entrance fee.

💛 Thank You for Being Here

✨ That’s August wrapped! Between birthdays, book launches, and the tiniest of bookstore mascots, this month was full of joy. As we head into spring, we’ve also been reflecting on how much we’re learning and growing as business owners. Every market, every new author, and even the quiet behind-the-scenes moments teach us something new about running this whimsical little shop of ours.

And because we can’t resist adding new adventures to the mix, we’re dipping our toes into the world of podcasting! We’re excited (and slightly nervous) to share cozy chats, author interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories with you soon. Like everything else on this journey, it’s a learning curve - but one we’re thrilled to be on together.

To everyone who bought a book, shared a post, donated to our GoFundMe, or just cheered us on - thank you. It’s your belief in us (and in indie authors!) that keeps us running.

We’re heading into September with big plans, including a new merch, more markets, and even more beautiful stories to discover. Until then, stay cozy, read wildly, and never stop believing in the power of a good book.

Thank you, as always, for cheering us on, shopping small, and being part of our community. Here’s to September, new stories, and all the unexpected magic waiting just around the corner.

With love and endless gratitude,

Kris & Jade

Squirrel & Sparrow Bookstore 🐿️📚✨