The Enchanted Forest has a knack for luring families. No, it’s not an amusement park or a zoo, but it does have a train and animals (stuffed ones).

It’s a neighborhood bookstore designed for children and located at 6333 E. Mockingbird.

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“I’ve tried to make it a place kids walk in and think that books are fun,” says Lakewood resident Jennifer England, the founder and owner.

The 2,700-square foot bookstore is blanketed with grass-green carpet and painted with trees and clouds.

The store, which also features a 6-foot Paddington Bear and other toys, encourages children to play with the toys and flip through the books, England says.

England opened the store in 1992 after working for a children’s book publisher in San Diego for many years.

Children’s bookstores are rare, she says. There are only two other children’s bookstores in the Dallas area and less than 200 nationally, she says.

“Our job is making people happy,” says England, who soon plans to adopt a child with her husband.

“I’ve watched the children grow from toddlers to showing us their first tooth that they’ve lost,” she says.

The following events are planned at Enchanted Forest this month.

Nov. 9, Madeline the French school girl will visit for readings and puppet shows based on her book series at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and noon.

Nov. 11, author/illustrator Patricia Polacco will present her work, followed by singing, from 10-11:30 a.m. Polacco’s stories include “Pink and Say,” “The Keeping Quilt,” “Applemondo’s Dream,” and “Chicken Sunday.” Her newest book, “The Trees of the Dancing Goats,” is an autobiographical story about a Jewish family that helps prepare Christmas for Christian neighbors who have caught scarlet fever.

Nov. 14, Artist David Diaz will present his illustrations of the books “Smoky Night” and “Going Home,” followed by singing from 10-11 a.m.

For information, call the store at 214-827-2234.