Hello & Welcome!
Origin Story
Arctic Tern Books & Sanctuary was created by Allison Worden in 2021 following a series of personal losses in close succession — her only sibling, both parents, her dearest friend, and a beloved dog.
Her intention was to create a refuge for anyone who might be struggling, a place of respite and connection in a cacophonous, distracted, and increasingly isolated world, a place where beauty and radical hope would reside and be felt.
She located her business in Rockland, Maine — a fishing and industrial center for centuries that’s now an oasis unto itself. With two outstanding art museums, a diverse company of boutiques and galleries, a theater, and an exciting culinary scene, Rockland is a magical place to visit and to call home.
The Bookshop
Allison named her little bookshop Arctic Tern Books after the intrepid bird that flies from pole to pole every year, following the path of the sun. She populates it with a carefully curated selection of books and other comforts in an atmosphere that feels inviting, peaceful, and deeply restorative.
The products she favors are from small-batch manufacturers; artisanal goods made by human hands; items created sustainably from natural materials; goods that benefit people and the planet.
More than a bookshop, this is a terrific place to find gifts and small items that buoy and comfort the spirit.
The Sanctuary
The Sanctuary opened in 2025 in a sweet little space right next to the bookshop. It serves as a place for learning, connecting, and celebrating the literary arts. Its offerings include exhibits, author talks, workshops, connection circles, and more.
In the present time of immense and overwhelming change, opportunities for in-person, analog activities and connection, as well as for peaceful reflection, are balms for the spirit. This is what this serene and airy space is designed to provide.
See our Events page for details of current and upcoming happenings.