“I had dreamt of the idea of having a neighborhood bookstore. I think strong communities have strong bookstores.”
– Lexi Walters Wright, owner
High Five Books is your neighborhood go-to for new children’s books and art supplies. This independent kids’ community bookstore and creativity space for young people of all ages, located in adorable downtown Florence, is the brainchild of Lexi Walters Wright. After 20 years as a journalist and editor, commuting to and from New York, she was ready for change and wanted to spend more time here in Florence. Lexi created High Five Books as a cozy space where children and their caretakers could read, create, play, and linger together. She wanted it to be a destination, a cornerstone neighborhood space where parents could bring their children.
When putting the store’s collection together, Lexi was pulled towards books she really wanted to see in her own children’s hands. High Five Books carries board and picture books, early- and middle-grade readers, YA books, and graphic novels. They focus on books by and about marginalized communities, including people of color and LGBTQ+ youth.
High Five Books shares its welcoming space with Art Always, an art school for children and adults. After leaving her job, Lexi began creating a community of people who would help her open up her bookstore. She would take them out for coffee or on walks to pick their brains. One of those people was Lindsay Fogg-Willits, her son’s art teacher, who was also looking for a change and looking to move her art studio to a new location. They decided that art and books could co-exist happily under one roof and that they would share the space. Their hope was that people who came for the books would stay for the art, and vice versa. Art Always is a great place for families to create amazing art and great memories together.
High Five Books and Art Always offers storytimes, drop-in art sessions, family-based community literacy and art events, author and illustrator experiences, snacks, and, of course, high fives anytime.
“Such a delightful addition to the community! Loved the creativity of the drop-in art projects and was blown away by the depth of knowledge and enthusiasm of Lexi, the bookseller. She introduced my kids to several new-to-them series which have already proven to be a hit, as we returned the following day to pick up the sequels to those new faves!”
– Melanie Rosen (Google)
