New independent book store in Kingston continues revitalisation of Canberra's oldest suburb

The Book Cow book shop has opened in Jardine Street, across the road from Green Square and Supabarn.

It's first community event is on Saturday, at 10.30am in Green Square with the launch of local author Amelia McInerney's latest picture book My Bird, Bertie. There will be kids' games and a Q and A session with Amelia, who will also read from her book. If it's wet, the event will be in the store.

"It will be a fantastic opportunity for local book lovers to hear and read Amelia's new book for the first time and meet one of Australia's up and coming (and now a local Canberran) children's picture book authors," The Book Cow owner Peter Arnaudo said.

The book shop - a light, bright space - is the former construction office for the Atria apartments.

Peter, a former public servant of 25 years, always had a hankering to do "something else".

"Otherwise, you get to the end of your career and think, 'Is that it'?" he said.

The catchy name for the shop came from Peter's 12-year-old daughter who has a love of both cows and books.

He had been wanting to open an independent book shop for some years but was waiting for the right location.

"It's the key thing. You need a lot of people walking past," he said.

Peter was thrilled to find the space on Jardine Street, close to destination businesses such as Supabarn and The Essential Ingredient which draw visitors to Kingston.

The Book Cow sells books across the genres and for all ages.

Peter says there is a good section of books by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors. And he plans to do a bit more with the children's book space, brightening up the area. He really wants to promote children's authors.

"So many kids' books just don't get discovered," he said.

Peter said the business opened in early December and the response so far from local residents and businesses had been really encouraging.

"Since we opened, we have been blown away by the level of support from locals," he said.

"It's clear that people in Canberra love browsing and shopping for books in traditional bricks and mortar shops.

"There is nothing quite like holding a book or browsing and discovering a new author you may not have considered before. Something an online algorithm will never be able to do."

The new bookshop will be building connections with the local community with school book fairs, book clubs, reading and writing groups, book launches and local community events.