Bookshop Blurb by Patrick Carroll

After a short break, it feels as if the time is right for the #BookshopBlurb series to return. This week, teacher Patrick Carroll (@pynchonic) writes about one of his personal favourites, Wonderland Bookshop in Retford (@Wonder_Bookshop). Thank you Patrick!

Wonderland Bookshop in Retford is one that you won’t forget after visiting it. Why? Well, not only do they have a tea party on the ceiling, but the shelves are stacked with a cornucopia of books for children and young people that cover every form of interest and celebrate the creativity of authors. If you want to test that out, then just ask Helen or Dave (the owners) who have a vast knowledge of books – hence their recent award as Independent Bookshop of the Year 2022 for the Midlands. This warm and inclusive environment is one that should definitely be on your list of independent bookshops to visit.

It is for this reason that not only do I go with my family to purchase all manner of books, but why we also used Wonderland to buy books for my school. You see that knowledge from people who have actually read the books and understand how to engage a reader is much more important to us than going via online giants. We wanted a rich variety of texts that the children would relate to and thanks to Wonderland, that’s exactly what we got – as well as a 20% discount. Instead of just having the usual celebrity suspects, we now have a range of texts that offer diversity, enjoyment, challenge and new perspectives.

Alongside that, online giants don’t offer that personal touch of inviting in authors to do book signings or hold special events such as the one that we recently attended. At one end of the shop, the wonderful Hannah Gold was talking about her award-winning bestseller The Last Bear as well as her latest marvel The Lost Whale. Meanwhile, the equally fantastic Lydia Monks was in another area reading from her latest treasure Adoette, as well as teaching an engaged audience how to draw different animals. This is special, this is unique, this is what makes Wonderland Bookshop.