Indeed, I know that I have posted about a Japanese bookstore previously, but just look at Tsutaya. It is pure evil, I tell you.
Why is it evil? I hear you ask. When I step inside Tsutaya, I don’t expect to be greeted by stuffed toys resembling well-loved children’s book characters. Curious George is there, so is Miffy. My daughter immediately grabs one large and one small version of The Hungry Caterpillar and shoves eagerly below my face. She wants them!!!
I don’t know how my wife does it, but she deftly gets my daughter to put back both stuffed toys where they belong. My daughter then picks up a pocket sized The Hungry Caterpillar. We already have 3 copies at home (one English, one Mandarin and one Japanese), but you think I would deny the Queen her desire for conquest? Of course not!
I have never seen such stuffed toys before, so I’m impressed by how Tsutaya must have collaborated with toy manufacturers to ensure its survival in the future. After all, children everywhere are losing interest in reading, so book stores must think of clever ways to hook their heartstrings. It would have captured my daughter as its victim if it weren’t for the smooth talking abilities of my wife!
In other news, Tsutaya has set up an activity corner for children to fiddle around with toys.
And another area for teens to trade their cards.