Escape Hatch Books

Escape Hatch Books An Independent bookshop in Kew East Melbourne specialising in Children's books

A few weeks ago I was thrilled to get the chance to have a chat with Kristin Darell as she signed our copies of “It’s a ...
06/05/2026

A few weeks ago I was thrilled to get the chance to have a chat with Kristin Darell as she signed our copies of “It’s a twin thing - the break-up”

Her description of the book intrigued me so I added it to the TBR pile. I finally got to it this weekend and found it is a fun middle-grade story about the ups and downs of primary school friendships, full of drama, laughs, and real feelings. I loved that the twins’ parents give both girls journals to note down their thoughts - it’s a great way to model how to deal with anxieties.

It’s a perfect read for those who are just starting to experience changes and new challenges as they start to work out their own interests and talents.

We will certainly be recommending it to readers of the Sweet Valley Twins, Baby-Sitters: Little Sister and Click series who love a mix of friendship drama, shifting relationships and sibling rivalry. Book 2 is due out in August too.

Blurb:
Being a twin is forever, but for Abigail and Brooklyn, starting grade five is about to test their bond in ways they never expected.�Book one in a fun, warm-hearted series from bestselling author – and twin – Kristin Darell.
Identical twins Abi and Brook are inseparable. They’ve always been in the same class; they dance together; they're in a rock band together; they even have the same best friend.
But for the first time, they’ve been put in different classes at school and everything they think they know about each other is put to the test. Can Abi and Brook find a way to accept the changes in themselves and each other? And can they pull together in time to play in the school talent show?

⏳️Just 2 weeks to go until we have a literary night with Karen Comer at Escape Hatch Books.⁠⁠We are delighted to invite ...
05/05/2026

⏳️Just 2 weeks to go until we have a literary night with Karen Comer at Escape Hatch Books.⁠

We are delighted to invite English teachers (secondary school) to our evening to hear Karen present ideas for teaching verse novels in the classroom, showcasing wonderful Australian verse novels, as well as her new YA verse novel, "Once Upon tomorrow". ⁠

Participants will gain some new ideas for the classroom, writing prompts for students and will take home resources and worksheets. ⁠

This is a FREE event but we require an RSVP via [email protected]

Date Tues 19th May⁠
Time 5:00-6.30pm⁠
Venue 643 High Street, Kew East⁠

This will be an excellent chance for your English department to discuss verse novels. ⁠We would love to see you there.

We are so excited to be participating in the Melbourne chapter of the Global Book Crawl.  Today is Day 4 out of 7 and it...
23/04/2026

We are so excited to be participating in the Melbourne chapter of the Global Book Crawl. Today is Day 4 out of 7 and it has been a thrill to meet everyone and stamp their passports as they crawl around the city. ��If you haven’t heard about it yet and are thinking “What is the Global Book Crawl?” �⁠
It is a self guided tour visiting bookshops in and around your city. You'll be part of a global event with dozens of cities, hundreds of bookshops, thousands of readers all taking part - in all parts of the world, including Fiji, Iceland and Liechtenstein.⁠

We are lucky enough to have 39 bookshops taking part in Melbourne and so you can complete zone 1 or zone 2 or a combination of both. The Book Crawl is free to join and you have until Sunday 26th April to complete it ��How you can take part...�Drop into your local bookshop and collect a passport, then collect a stamp at each store you visit. ⁠
Take advantage of the free public transport that we have in Melbourne. We have a tram stop almost right outside our door - the number 48! (And the Language International Bookshop just round the next corner so 2 stamps in 2 mins!⁠

Share your journey online, and connect with fellow book lovers around the world. Use the hashtag to enter the global chat. One photo, one post, one moment, and you'll be part of a movement that celebrates books, community, and the joy of getting lost among the shelves.��What's on offer:�A completed crawl is 9 stamps from zone 1 or zone 2 or 12 stamps from zone 1 and zone 2 and there are prizes to be won from kids books to vouchers to audiobooks. You can learn more at globalbookcrawl.org⁠


⁠bookcrawl.australia

Please note our shorter hours for Anzac day.
21/04/2026

Please note our shorter hours for Anzac day.

📚️KIDS BOOK CLUB - Perfect for kids who love books and love to chat⁠⁠War Games - A heart-pounding, high-stakes take on t...
19/04/2026

📚️KIDS BOOK CLUB - Perfect for kids who love books and love to chat⁠

War Games - A heart-pounding, high-stakes take on the 1936 Berlin Olympics where a 13 yr old American gymnast gets mixed up in a mysterious plot to help steal N**i gold.⁠

Come join us for conversations, new friends and snacks.⁠

📆 Tuesday 12th May - first meeting = War Games⁠

📆 Tuesday 8th June - second meeting - book revealed at 1st session.⁠

Spots are limited so head to our website to book your tickets or call the shop 🎟️⁠

Come down and get your copy of "The Jerryverse Comic - Part 1" , meet the authors Eli and Angus and get it signed. Avail...
18/04/2026

Come down and get your copy of "The Jerryverse Comic - Part 1" , meet the authors Eli and Angus and get it signed. Available until 12 today at Escape Hatch Books and they take cash or card.

Well done Eli and Angus - we love your work

Never ever let it be said that it's boring working in a bookshop.Bookshops always attract the best people.  It was an ab...
12/04/2026

Never ever let it be said that it's boring working in a bookshop.

Bookshops always attract the best people. It was an absolute treat to be included on an Amazing Race style bridal shower for the fabulous brides to be - Sarah and Natalie. They had 2 carefully selected gifts to collect from us once they had worked out the clues and found their way to our door.

Luckily there was time for a drink and a sweet treat before they continued on their way.

It was lovely meeting you both, Christie and Sharon. I hope the rest of the day was just as much fun. By the way did you know I am going to Bali?....... 😜 IYKYK

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Yes we have Story time twice a week.⁠⁠This is the fabulous 3 we are reading together tomorrow morning - Sunday 12th Apri...
11/04/2026

Yes we have Story time twice a week.⁠

This is the fabulous 3 we are reading together tomorrow morning - Sunday 12th April.⁠

Come and join us starting to read at 10:30am- it's a lot of fun.⁠
⁠...and you can grab a coffee before you sit.⁠


If you loved Percy Jackson and want another fun fantasy adventure, The Lost Defenders is a great pick. It’s got a bit of...
10/04/2026

If you loved Percy Jackson and want another fun fantasy adventure, The Lost Defenders is a great pick. It’s got a bit of everything—action, adventure, and magic—plus three unlikely heroes you can really relate to. Best of all, it shows that you don’t need special powers to save the world.⁠

We are recommending for age 10+⁠



Open for any last minute Easter reads .... and we have hot cross buns to enjoy alongside your coffees.
02/04/2026

Open for any last minute Easter reads .... and we have hot cross buns to enjoy alongside your coffees.

Come and join us and award-winning, best-selling children’s author Andrea Rowe for a very special summer story time.Andr...
10/01/2026

Come and join us and award-winning, best-selling children’s author Andrea Rowe for a very special summer story time.

Andrea will bring her awesome energy and passion to lead an interactive story time for us, and you will have the chance to create your own beach-themed craft inspired by Castle Crashing, her latest picture book.

The Jetty Jumping series, which includes Jetty Jumping, Sunday Skating and Castle Crashing, are all stories about friendship, self-discovery, growth and being close to the beach and are beautifully illustrated by Hannah Sommerville.

It's the perfect way to start our Sunday story time sessions for 2026 !

Mark your calendars now and we'll see you on Sunday 1st Feb at 10:30am

We cannot wait!!!



Imported from image metadata:
Andrea Rowe STORY TIME @ 10:30AM (Instagram Post (4:5)) - 1
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Address

643 High Street
Melbourne, VIC
3102

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 5pm
Friday 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday 9:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+61370153318

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