Bookshop of the Month - The Edinburgh Bookshop

 

 Bookshop of the Month (April)

The Edinburgh Bookshop

Interviewee: Fiona (children's specialist)



Can you tell us more about the Edinburgh Bookshop, and what drew you to work there? 

The Edinburgh Bookshop is a small-but-stuffed, award-winning, independent bookshop based in the Bruntsfield area of the city. Besides being across the road from one of the best ice cream parlours in town (!), the shop's community spirit and focus on young readers was a real draw to work there, as well as the wonderful close-knit team of passionate booksellers, led by the inimitable Marie Moser, which I am now proud to be a part of.

The Edinburgh Bookshop hosts author events and book clubs for children and young people. How important is having in-person events at the bookshop?

A building full of books (most of which you haven't read) can be exciting for many but intimidating as well. Knowing that authors are just regular people too and were once children like them is encouraging and often reassuring for young people. Also, knowing that the local bookshop is full of friendly people who want you to enjoy what you read and help you choose the perfect book will help demystify reading and writing. The same with libraries. Otherwise, books can just be seen as assignments.

What, for you, is so special about children's books?

I often flippantly say that children's books are generally short and have happy endings! Currently, the children's books industry is working hard to make sure as many children as possible see themselves represented in the books they read. I'll talk more about that with Keedie. A pet peeve is when adults tell me children's books were better when they were young. First of all, they were young at the time! The books were aimed at them! Secondly, more children now are reading about their own experiences written by people with those shared experiences. And the books are still funny. Or exciting. Or chilling. Or gripping!

What does a typical work day look like for you, and what is the most rewarding part of your job?

A typical work day is tidying, working the tills, answering phone calls and emails, booking in deliveries and eating biscuits! The good news is, there are many atypical work days. There are visits from authors and sales reps. There are book groups. There are author events. Sometimes you're dressed as Minnie the Minx shepherding an entire school through the door to spend their World Book Day tokens. Sometimes you're entertaining a group of pre-schoolers with your favourite picture books. Sometimes you're contacted by Children's Books North to promote your favourite book for April. Either way, there's still usually time for biscuits! I think with many booksellers, the most rewarding part of the job is a customer, young or old, but young especially, telling you how much they enjoyed a book you recommended. A brief spark of joy and warmth before the inevitable 'I'm looking for something else just as good'!
 

What would you like to see more in the children's books industry?

As a sci-fi fan, I always think sci-fi and horror for younger readers are underrepresented in children's publishing. I'm very excited when I encounter books in these genres and also books that make me laugh out loud. There's always room for more comedy. More importantly, there's still a great deal of work to be done in opening up the book industry to more diverse voices. Working with booksellers with different backgrounds and experiences to me has helped me invaluably.

The Edinburgh Bookshop's Book of the Month:

Elle McNicoll's Keedie

Published by Knights of Media, April 2024

Keedie is a prequel to the award-winning A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll, and like Addie in A Kind of Spark, Keedie is a brave, confident character you can't help but root for as she tackles school projects, new friendships and a community's small-mindedness. Elle is a fantastic writer with a knack for hooking you into her stories from page one. As well as introducing well-rounded neurodiverse protagonists, a recurring theme of her books is being open to asking for and accepting help, while staying true to yourself and what you want to accomplish. I also realised while reading this title, how rare it is to read a book where the Scottish school system is used, instead of having to remember how it works in England or the US! A rare treat which maybe shouldn't be so rare for Scottish kids. Ultimately, Elle McNicoll gives children a compelling story while reminding them they're not alone.


You can find the Edinburgh Bookshop on:


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