Behind the Scenes with Babycake’s Book Stack - See Yourself on the Shelf: How One Bookmobile Is Driving Change
Title: Behind the Scenes with Babycake’s Book Stack
See Yourself on the Shelf: How One Bookmobile Is Driving Change
By Read With Me MN
5/3/2025
As the weather warms and the streets come alive again, we had the joy of catching up with Zsamé Morgan, the owner of a beloved local indie bookstore-on-wheels, Babycake’s Book Stack, as it gets ready to kick off the new season. The doors swung open and even amid the buzz of a week-before-opening-day whirlwind, the purpose was unmistakable: this bookmobile is a safe space for stories that reflect, affirm, and connect.
What makes this indie bookmobile special isn’t just that it brings books to the community—it’s which books, and why. As we stepped inside, we passed shelves marked by intention: overstock and customer orders near the front, followed by braille and large print titles. Along with our personal favorite—positioned to greet every visitor—the “See Yourself on the Shelf” section reflects a core belief: all readers deserve to feel seen.
“This bookstore is all about making sure that you are able to see and experience a character, an illustrator, an author that has something that you can relate to.”
“Those are called window and mirror books. I can see myself or I can look through and see someone else and learn about them.”
This belief—that books can affirm and expand our worldviews—is foundational to Babycake's mission, and to ours. Representation isn’t a trend. It’s a tool for justice, belonging, and imagination. And this bookmobile gets it.
Babycake’s Book Stack carries graphic novels, refugee and immigration stories, STEM adventures, and a lovingly curated display of greeting cards and journals sourced from local artists. If they don’t have what you’re looking for on the bookmobile, you can always order from them online.
And the picture books? They go beyond the toddler years and into the hearts of school-age kids (and adults who still love a good storytime).
We love to see it—especially because this mobile model brings books to families who might not otherwise access them. For communities historically excluded from mainstream publishing and retail spaces, this bookmobile says: we see you. We came for you. We brought the books.
“With COVID having happened and the ability to be able to take the books to the community, that has given rise to more of these mobile bookstores and I'm happy for it because then we can take the books to the people.”
“Sometimes people aren't able to come to a bookstore or they don't know that they need to go to a bookstore and so being able to go out into the community gives the opportunity to make an impact.”
Zsamé doesn’t just sell books—she builds literacy, starting with the smallest moments at home. Through Babycake’s, she invites families to rediscover reading as a shared experience—something joyful, bonding, and deeply human.
“Even if you do not speak the language that your child is learning in school, typically English, that you can read along and learn with them… it gives you the power to learn at the same time with your child and create a bond.”
She curates with care, adapting her selections to reflect the languages, identities, and cultures of each community she visits.
“If I'm going to a [community] that speaks Spanish or I'm going to a community that speaks Hmong, I can make sure that I have a good amount of books in those languages or in the cultures that I'm going…”
It’s not just about inclusion—it’s about intentional visibility. Through school partnerships like the one with Metro Deaf School, Babycake’s makes sure that every reader can find themselves represented.
“We curate books for their online book fair as well as in person that represent the deaf and hard of hearing culture as well as have authors who are deaf or hard of hearing…”
“When you feel a sense of acceptance then you can move about with a freeness…”
And that freeness? It travels. On wheels. Right into neighborhoods that may not have bookstores at all. It shows up with love, language, and literacy—and lets families know they matter.
“Sometimes people say… Well, how does this work? Is this a library or do we buy the books? … You can take these books home and they are yours to keep.”
A bookstore that comes to you. A space where every child can see themselves. A new season of possibility.
After our time with Zsamé, one thing was crystal clear: this isn’t just about selling books. It’s about amplifying voices. Empowering families. And building a future where every child, in every community, grows up knowing they matter—and that their story does too.
Stay up to date with where you can find Babycake’s Book Stack on their website at www.babycakesbookstack.com. Follow them on Social Media @babycakesbooks.
Watch the video interview with Zsamé Morgan on Youtube here.