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Friday, 17 July 2020

Directory of independent children's bookshops

Many independent children's bookshops and booksellers are currently in a very vulnerable financial position and need sustained customer support if they're going to survive beyond the next few months. This map is in no way fully comprehensive but hopefully it's a useful starting point to help find your local children's bookshop. Any further suggestions for additions to the map would be hugely appreciated, please add them in the comments box below.

If you do end up buying a book as a result of this map and you have a few seconds spare, do let me know by posting a comment - it would be great to know that it's being used.


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68 comments:

  1. Jim Cownie17 July 2020 at 20:56

    You should add Max Minerva's https://maxminervas.co.uk/

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  2. Tricia18 July 2020 at 09:42

    Quinn’s in Market Harborough

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  3. Unknown18 July 2020 at 10:09

    Broadhusrts, Southport http://www.ckbroadhurst.co.uk/

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  4. Unknown18 July 2020 at 10:13

    Barter Books, Alnwick https://www.barterbooks.co.uk/

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  5. Barker and Jones Staff18 July 2020 at 16:41

    Our company has stores in Naas Co Kildare, Waterford City, Wexford City and Kilkenny City! We are independent and proud!

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  6. Tony Higginson18 July 2020 at 17:09

    Jon you are doing a massive job here and I and all Indies are eternally grateful. I hope the BA and others see and make use of their PR to get this seen. I had 2 orders today from your initial 'help' my website is new and a boost like this really helps it get seen.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous18 July 2020 at 17:20

      Thanks Tony, really appreciate your comment. Hopefully it will get used. I was also planning to have an 'Indie Bookseller of the Week' focus or something similar, ask a few questions, get some recommendations, etc.

      Delete
  7. Unknown18 July 2020 at 17:46

    Brilliant idea John. Please would you add https://www.creditoncommunitybookshop.co.uk/ a brilliant community bookshop local to me which also organises lots of author visits for schools.
    My favourite Indy bookshop in Bath with the most extraordinary book knowledge for readers of all ages is https://mrbsemporium.com/

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  8. Richard Charlesworth18 July 2020 at 18:09

    Hi Jon. Alligators Mouth Bookshop in Richmond, SW London. Fantastic team and quality recommendations.
    2A Church Ct, Richmond TW9 1JL,

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  9. Lucy - Cape Ability18 July 2020 at 19:41

    Hi, what a great idea! Do you include online only independent book sellers? We have www.capeability.co.uk, which is teaching children of EYFS/ KS1 ages growth mindset through beautiful (if I do say so myself) stories.

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  10. CVR19 July 2020 at 07:49

    Cover to Cover, Mumbles, Swansea

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  11. Anna Gamble19 July 2020 at 09:32

    There’s also News From Nowhere Bookshop in Liverpool - they have a wonderful day l and very considered children’s section 😊😊

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  12. Alice20 July 2020 at 13:33

    Madhatter Bookshop in Wantage, postcode OX12 9AQ is independent and fabulous!

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  13. Miss Riley20 July 2020 at 13:52

    Books and Pieces is fantastic and independent in Leicestershire. Postcode is LE7 4WH. Very highly recommended.

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  14. EBD3520 July 2020 at 15:02

    Alligator’s Mouth in Richmond upon Thames and is amazing! A real friend and help to teachers! https://www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/

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  15. Beth Martin23 July 2020 at 22:40

    Many thanks for doing this! Please can you add in Barnett's Books of Wadhurst. We have a superb children's department which was designed by the children themselves: www.barnettsbooks.com

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  16. Jenny Capon27 July 2020 at 08:53

    This is great! Portobello Bookshop in Portobello Edinburgh has brilliant and big children's section, including really good graphic novels collection. www.theportobellobookshop.com @portybooks on twitter.

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  17. Dominic Lee12 September 2020 at 18:54

    Not strictly a bookshop, but Atomic Comics in Yeovil has a great range of graphic novels which cater for all ages and very knowledgeable staff who can help support with which comic books/graphic novels are best for which ages. They've been helpful in helping me with my book corner for a primary school

    Links
    https://atomiccomicsandgames.co.uk/
    https://www.facebook.com/AtomicComicsandGames

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  18. Unknown13 September 2020 at 12:38

    Could you please add Banner Books, 3 The Square, Ennistymon, Co. Clare, V95 D300, Republic of Ireland. www.bannerbooks.ie (FB https://www.facebook.com/ClareBannerBooks/ Twitter https://twitter.com/Banner_Books) - we have a large selection of books for children.

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    Replies
    1. Unknown13 September 2020 at 12:40

      Thank you so much for your hard work on this!

      Delete
    2. Unknown19 September 2020 at 15:54

      Thank you so much for adding Banner Books.

      Delete
  19. Jen Jones23 October 2020 at 07:24

    You should have 'Write Blend' on there. Owner Bob Stone is fabulous. The address is: Write Blend, 124 South Road, Waterloo, Liverpool L22 0LR

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  20. Rachel C23 October 2020 at 07:30

    This is a great idea! Please could you add Village Books in Dulwich (1d Calton Avenue SE21 7DE? They have a fabulous selection of children’s books and their recommendations/suggestions are always spot on. Thank you.

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  21. Unknown23 October 2020 at 09:16

    Dornoch Bookshop should be added - great local bookshop with fantastic children's section.

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  22. Unknown23 October 2020 at 09:26

    Bookpoint in Dunoon, Argyll

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  23. Sweyn Hunter23 October 2020 at 09:27

    Stromness Books and Prints, Graham Place, Stromness, Orkney

    https://g.co/kgs/gU79gi

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  24. Unknown23 October 2020 at 09:38

    Whitties in Peebles 3 Pennel's Close, High St, Peebles EH45 8AG

    It's a brilliant wee shop run by a very friendly couple

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  25. John Shelley23 October 2020 at 10:19

    I think the one in Wymondham outside Norwich is community bookshop Kett's Books. You have a tag, but no information. https://www.kettsbooks.co.uk/

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  26. Anonymous23 October 2020 at 10:56

    The Secret Bookshelf
    Unit 8a The Courtyard, 38 Scotch Quarter, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, BT38 7DP

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  27. Me23 October 2020 at 13:59

    The Book House in Thame, Oxfordshire, is amazing, with incredible staff!
    http://thebookhousethame.co.uk/

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  28. Anonymous24 October 2020 at 15:00

    Please could you add Hurrah For Books, an online children's bookshop which focuses on inclusive and diverse children's books. Based in East Grinstead, West Sussex.
    www.hurrahforbooks.co.uk

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  29. Amanda2 November 2020 at 23:22

    Such a fantastic idea, thank you. Please can you add www.amandasbooks.co.uk based in Haywards Heath, West Sussex.

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  30. Unknown12 February 2021 at 10:26

    Please can you add www.swiftbooks.ie We are a new online book store owned and run by two women. We have a pop up shop on the West Pier in Howth (currently closed due to restrictions) Many thanks. Claire

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  31. Anonymous12 February 2021 at 22:25

    Please add The Barnes Bookshop 98 Church Road London SW13 0DQ
    @bookshopbarnes www.barnesbookshop.co.uk
    A great selection of childrens and YA books at this community bookshop

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  32. Anonymous12 June 2021 at 14:14

    Red Lion book shop in Colchester is s good one to add. They're great. Colchester High Street, Essex

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  33. Miss Close12 June 2021 at 22:48

    This is such an amazing resource :) please could I suggest that you add Cogito Books in Hexham?

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  34. Library Girl and Book Boy19 June 2021 at 21:59

    Hello. Do you have Four Bears Books in Caversham, Reading in here?

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  35. Michelle16 August 2021 at 11:01

    Great resource! I run B For Butterfly Books in Sale, Greater Manchester. Set up as a bricks and mortar bookshop based in Emporium M33 in April this year ☺️

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  36. Unknown16 August 2021 at 12:26

    Afrori books is an online bookshop with a physical store opening in Brighton in the Autumn.
    We specialise in books by black authors and have hundreds of children's titles in store

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  37. Mizzwizzi28 October 2021 at 09:36

    The Book Nook in Hove. Amazing children’s bookshop. So friendly and helpful! https://booknookuk.com/

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  38. zilcreature28 October 2021 at 10:10

    This is a lovely idea. Forum Books in Corbridge delivers and they have a great range of kids books. https://www.forumbooksshop.com/

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  39. @tommo12112 December 2021 at 10:24

    Hart's in Saffron Walden is good independent- https://hartsbooks.co.uk/contact/

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  40. Dan Johnson23 December 2021 at 13:34

    The wonderful Cotswold Book Room in Wotton-under Edge, run by Cathy and Gideon York, would be a worthy addition to this directory. They have a lovely children's section and are incredibly friendly and helpful.
    Address: 26 Long Street, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7BT
    Website: https://cotswoldbookroom.co.uk
    Twitter: @BookCotswold

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  41. Behind TheFacade30 December 2021 at 20:43

    Pembroke Bookshop is sadly no longer there. Worth adding is Tenby Bookshop, just a few miles further along :) delighted to see Victoria Bookshop there as well in Haverfordwest.

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  42. Unknown26 February 2022 at 08:25

    Hi would be great if you could add The Green Dragon Bookshop, Crewkerne, Somerset and Little Toller Books in Beaminster Dorset to your map. Thanks

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  43. Anonymous19 June 2022 at 08:00

    Can you add Scarthin Books in Cromford to your map?

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  44. Anonymous2 September 2022 at 19:08

    Walkers also have a branch in Oakham.

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  45. LA3 September 2022 at 06:44

    Can you add Night Owl Book shop in East Linton, East Lothian? Fantastic bookshop with a children's section. https://nightowlbooks.co.uk/

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  46. Anonymous29 December 2022 at 20:10

    Great map! Bookstop in Tavistock could do with a mention too

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  47. Anonymous30 December 2022 at 09:48

    Hi, could you add ny local, 'The Book Shop' in Bridport, Dorset. https://www.dorsetbooks.com/

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  48. Anonymous31 December 2022 at 10:13

    We are a collective of second hand book sellers who have a monthly residency at Glasgow Botanic Gardens http://www.booksatthebotanics.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/booksatthebotanics/

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  49. Anonymous2 January 2023 at 15:42

    Please could you add Carmina Gaedelica in Portree, Skye? Lovely wee shop with good children's stock and also sells art supplies. https://skyebooks.co.uk/

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  50. Anonymous2 January 2023 at 17:21

    Thank you Jon, this is great! Please could you add the following? I have visited these and they are all fantastic, especially the St Andrews and Edinburgh branches of Topping & Co. They have brilliant selections and the booksellers with great knowledge.

    https://www.aberfeldywatermill.com/

    https://www.maddingcrowdlinlithgow.com/

    https://www.mainstreetbooks.co.uk/online-bookshop

    https://www.toppingbooks.co.uk/

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  51. Anonymous5 January 2023 at 15:59

    I wonder if you could include Bookbugs and Dragon Tales in Norwich and the Book Hive Aylsham? Thank you!

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  52. Anonymous23 April 2023 at 17:03

    Pandora books Kings Lynn

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  53. Anonymous23 April 2023 at 20:36

    Please include The Classroom in Westgate on Sea in Kent. They are a great bookshop and gave out over 7000 world book day books within local schools and let them keep their tokens too!

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  54. Anonymous14 October 2023 at 09:38

    Please add theShetland Times bookshop, Lerwick. It’s really well stocked, serving this remote community amazingly well.

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  55. Bridget Marzo14 October 2023 at 21:01

    Great reference - thanks! Worth adding a great old indie - Brick Lane Bookshop at 166 Brick Lane, London E1 https://bricklanebookshop.org/ They run a short story competition and work with schools and the Half Moon children's theatre too

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  56. Anonymous6 December 2023 at 13:16

    The Newham Bookshop has a whole shop full of children's books along with a second adult shop on the same site,
    We are at 743-745 Barking Road London E13 9ER.

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  57. Anonymous7 April 2024 at 11:00

    Book and Bean, Kirkham, Lancashire is a great bookshop. 👍

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  58. Anonymous7 April 2024 at 18:03

    Halesworth Book shop https://www.thehalesworthbookshop.co.uk/ IP19 8AR

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  59. Anonymous11 November 2024 at 08:21

    I am currently trying to find an independent online bookseller to send books to my neice and came across this page. You are missing a lovely independent book shop in Wales, who has a fantastic children's section.
    It is Verzon, Middleton Street, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD15DG.

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  60. John Dougherty19 November 2024 at 10:41

    https://www.stroudbookshop.com

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  61. Mark Ludmon26 December 2024 at 11:42

    Another one for you: ChocoLit, 14 Old Town, Clapham, London SW4 0JY https://chocolit.co.uk/

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  62. Anonymous14 April 2026 at 07:05

    Could you please update the photo of Griffin Books in Penarth? Your current one predates our recent expansion which gave us a new dedicated children’s department, and new shopfront! Many thanks for doing this.

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    Replies
    1. Jon Biddle14 April 2026 at 07:40

      Thanks for your message. Unfortunately, Google selects the image associated with each shop, not me. Hopefully it will update over time.

      Delete

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