GUSTINE — Scribble, Scrawl & Smirch Bookshop is one of seven independent bookstores across the Valley taking part in the first‑ever Central California Book Crawl, a month‑long celebration of local bookshops running April 1–30. The event is timed to build momentum toward Independent Bookstore Day on April 25, when participating stores expect their biggest crowds of the year.

The crawl invites readers to pick up a free “passport” at any participating store and collect stamps, treats and surprises as they visit each location. “April 25 is Independent Bookstore Day, and Central California bookstores are celebrating in a big way — with a month‑long Bookstore Crawl through the Valley,” the press release said.

Organizers say the event highlights a surge in new independent bookstores throughout the region. Of the seven shops participating, five have opened within the last two years. “Independent bookstores — those cozy places full of charm and hyperlocal connection — have been booming in the Valley,” the release noted.

Lauren Dutch, owner of Story Books and Toys in Oakdale, helped launch the crawl as a way to strengthen ties among the region’s growing network of indie shops. “This isn’t about competition. It’s about community,” Dutch said. “These spaces are stronger together, just like the towns they serve.”

Dutch said the crawl is designed to “connect communities, support local businesses, and celebrate the growing love of reading,” offering families and book lovers a reason to explore beyond their hometowns.

The release also emphasized the role bookstores play as “third spaces” — places outside home and work where people gather, talk, and build community. “Families gather for story time, friends meet over book club discussions, and children discover the joy of reading in a way that feels meaningful and lasting,” Dutch said.

For Gustine’s independent bookstore, the crawl offers a chance to draw new visitors to the city’s downtown and highlight the shop’s role in the community’s cultural life.

Readers can join the crawl by visiting any participating bookstore beginning April 1.