Buying literature from the source

They've got storybooks and plush toys, even lavender-scented room sprays guaranteed to keep monsters away.

Add the most important ingredient -- kids -- and it all comes to life.

The Bye Bye Shop opened on Black Friday in Eden Prairie Center, staffed completely by local children's authors who hope to sell their brightly illustrated creations.

The temporary shop, open through Dec. 24, is the brainchild of Plymouth author Kelly Lucente, and it's being marketed under the banner of a locally minded, unique shopping opportunity.

"Holiday shopping can be so impersonal -- fighting crowds, slogging through stores," said Lucente. "I wanted to create something with a little more spirit of Christmas."

The authors do double duty as the shop's stars and seasonal employees, jockeying the cash register and having their photos taken with kids who pick out their books.

"We want to make shopping for Christmas more personal. We love personalizing our books for a certain child," Lucente said.

And almost all of the books can be paired with toys or accessories for a robust package under the tree, she said.

Lucente chose each of the featured authors because their children's stories "come from the heart."

There's Gordy Fredrickson, a Lakeville author and former English teacher who dresses in bib overalls and red plaid shirts to read from his Farm Country Tales, including "If I Were A Farmer" and "A Farm Country Christmas Eve."

And Ryan Skinner, a Fulbright scholar who studied in Mali and wrote "Sidikiba's Kora Lesson," the real-life story of a boy raised to play the kora, a harplike African instrument made from gourds. The book comes with a half-hour CD of kora music.

Orono mom Susie Bazil is offering her book, "Sick Bug," along with some five-eyed green germs toys.

Lucente's own book, "Bye Bye Monster," is available and can be paired with a canister of antimonster spray -- an essential-oil blend of chamomile and lavender.

Other featured books include "Opa and Oma Together," by Northfield author Patrick Mader, and the "Bur Bur & Friends" series by Wayzata authors JoAnne Pastel and Kakie Fitzsimmons.

In addition to the books, the shop offers plush toys manufactured by Princess Soft Toys, a small company in St. Louis Park.

Alyssa Ford is a Minneapolis freelance writer.