Our Story
Meet Zach and Gina Rabitoy, the founders of Rolling Rabbit Books.
Gina has always had a passion for art and storytelling. Since she was young, she was constantly drawing, writing, reading, and creating. She has loved children's literature all the way into adulthood, finding comfort in the stories she grew up with, as well as new stories that have captured her heart. Most of her favorite books are wrapped in fantasy and magic like the Nevermoor series by Jessica Townsend, and the Wilderlore series by Amanda Foody. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration, and she has been a professional illustrator and children's bookseller since 2020. In August of 2021, the thought dawned on her to combine her two passions and create a children's bookstore that highlighted the visual and performing arts. Thus, Rolling Rabbit Books was born!
Zach also grew up with a hunger for books, devouring series like Ranger's Apprentice, Pendragon, and Harry Potter. He can speed read (a skill that Gina is very jealous of) and got his Bachelor's degree in Business Management. While Gina runs the day-to-day operations, Zach is the magic numbers guy behind-the-scenes, working hard to help make this dream come true! They are both very excited to bring the magic of children's books and the power of creativity to the community of Byron Center, Michigan.
Rolling Rabbit Core Values
Inclusivity
We curate a selection of books that is inclusive of all races, ethnicities, cultures, religions, abilities, and identities. We want all children who enter our shop to be able to find books in which they see themselves represented.
Exploration
We encourage children to explore any and all of their interests through literature, and craft a safe space that inspires them to do so.
Creativity
We believe every kid is a creative kid! Creative expression is emphasized on our shelves through art, music, dance, theater, writing, and imaginative play. We are dedicated to supporting local Fine Arts programs in any way we can.
Illustration
We favor highly original books that are illustrated by skilled artists and storytellers from around the world.
Education
We give back to many different types of educators through our discount program including teachers, librarians, and school counselors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you buy back used books?
We do not buy back used books at this time. We mainly acquire our used books through donations, thrift stores, and library sales.
Can you special order books that aren't on the shelf?
Absolutely! There's no additional cost for this service either. We can typically receive books in 2-5 business days.
Do you have books for older kids and teens?
Definitely! We have nearly 1,000 titles for ages 9-18. Check out our Intermediate and Young Adult sections!
Why do you not carry books for adults?
Totally valid question! There are many reasons, but the three primary reasons are: 1) We simply love children's books! It's what we're most passionate about. 2) Adult literature is much more vast than children's. It's easier to specialize in a category of books than to try to carry everything. 3) Children's specialty stores are harder to come by than adult bookstores. We want to offer something unique!
Do you work with self-published authors?
We do not currently have a consignment program in place to sell books by independently published authors. If you have further questions about this, please feel free to give us a call.