At CPE Summer 2026, attendees enjoyed a special Industry Update featuring respected leaders from across Christian retail. The discussion covered the latest trends, challenges and opportunities shaping today’ s marketplace.
One of the key topics was the importance of a strong children’ s department and the role it can play in the success of a Christian retail store. The conversation was led by moderator and panelist Brock Eastman, VP & Publisher of Children’ s Media and The Action Bible at David C Cook, along with Rick and Susan Lewis, owners and managers of Logos Bookstore of Dallas for nearly 40 years.
As a follow-up to the Industry Update, CRA spoke with these panelists to explore this topic further.
How and why did you get started writing books for children? Brock: I started writing books for kids because I loved exploring my imagination. My first series, The Quest for Truth, allowed me to create a story world and characters that reflected my interests and values. It was so much fun that I continued writing and pursuing more ideas. And as the books went out into the world and I heard from kids reading the series and being inspired, I understood the impact writing can have.
Kids are curious, imaginative, adventurous and willing to believe that something incredible might be waiting around the next corner. As a dad, I also saw firsthand how stories could open the door to conversations about faith, character, science, relationships and the questions kids were already asking.
That became a big part of my calling as an author. Whether I’ m writing an adventure series like Parable Port, creating a devotional or putting on the lab coat as Dr. Fizzlebop, I want kids to have fun first— but I also want there to be something meaningful underneath the fun.
Why is it important to have a children’ s department in a Christian bookstore? Rick & Susan: Children are the next generation for our store. I see the books and gifts we offer as tools to help build up kids, to give them a foundation for understanding the Christian faith and to help them learn character through story. Our book selection includes biography, history and science to help children better relate to the world around them.
Our children’ s department is a lighthouse to the community. In today’ s world, parents appreciate that they have a safe place for their kids while they shop. Kids come into our store, and they run straight back to the children’ s department. We’ re giving kids a positive environment in which to learn that reading is a wonderful experience.
Meanwhile, it has also increased our sales as parents and grandparents look for well curated books for their kids in the midst of a lot of dross that the culture creates. brick & mortar
Brock: A great children’ s department is one of the most important parts of a Christian bookstore because it serves both the church of today and the church of tomorrow. A vibrant children’ s department gives families reasons to return again and again.
Parents and grandparents are constantly looking for ways to pass their faith on to the next generation. A strong children’ s department provides them with the tools to do that.
There is also something incredibly powerful about a child walking into a bookstore and discovering an entire section created for them. They see stories about kids their age. They see Bible heroes brought to life. They find books about questions they have been wondering about. They begin to understand that faith is not simply something for adults; it’ s for them too!
Christian bookstores have always been more than stores. At their best, they are ministry spaces and gathering places. The children’ s department may be one of the greatest opportunities we have to make that true for the next generation.
What tips can you offer in terms of layout or product selection, even if a store doesn’ t have a lot of room? Rick & Susan: As far as layout, our entire store is 1,800 square feet. Our kids’ space is 250 square feet of that. So that is quite a commitment to this portion of inventory. The kids’ room is just that— it is a room with one way in and out. This helps the parents know the kids are in a safe space. We have our children’ s room set up like Narnia, and children enter through a giant wardrobe. If you don’ t have that luxury, consider moving shelving in such a way that it gives a sense of enclosure.
As far as product selection, Bible stories, picture books and devotionals can be a good start. Kids’ chapter books require more variety, thus space. If a child likes a first volume, they will want the rest. Most series have at least three volumes, but others, like The Imagination Station, have many more.
Our baby section is separate. It’ s about 17 square feet of wall space. Our baby section really grew as we started having our own grandchildren 16 years ago.
What are some products or trends you have seen kids gravitate toward that get them reading and engaged? What are families looking for today? Rick & Susan: Some children are natural readers, and some of them you just have to find the right fit. We see reading as a way to break the digital addiction. Children want great illustrations and fun, entertaining stories. Families are looking for well written books that are clean, safe and value truth. They want stories that build character.
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