To book-lovers, few things are more cheering than hearing news of a new indie bookshop. All the more cheering when such a shop has been opened by long-time friends and children’s book experts driven by a belief that “books really can change the world.” The shop in question is Next Page Books, a beautiful, inclusive children’s bookshop in Hitchin. Since owners Julie and Liz have set out to “celebrate and support neurodiversity in children and families, as well as providing you with a flipping good read!”, we can guarantee that this Bookshop of the Month interview includes some mighty fine reading recommendations, along with inspiring words of wisdom. Over to Julie and Liz…

Describe your shop in three words.

Children’s, local, inclusive 

What are your backgrounds?

Julie Anderson - worked in children’s publishing for over 20 years, and continues as Operations Director for Bounce Sales & Marketing, selling and distributing for many children’s publishers.

Liz Tye - primary school teacher, Senco and Assistant Head in schools locally in Hitchin for 18 years. 

Tell us about your journey leading up to launching Next Page Books - was it a long-held dream? How long was the gestation period? How did the name come about?

Julie and I met when our eldest children were just born - they’re now nearly 16 years old! We met at an NCT baby postnatal group for new mums and have become great friends since then. On nights out and weekends away, we would talk about our shared dream to own a children’s bookshop. At the start of 2021, in the midst of pandemic lockdowns, we realised that we were both financially in a position to actually make a bookshop work.  At that point we could only meet outside so we spent many days in the beautiful countryside surrounding Hitchin walking my dog, Stanley, and working out our plan. We put an offer in on a lease retail shop in May 2021 and finally opened on 25th September. 

The name was down to my middle son, Finley, who came up with it while sitting around the dinner table! Our families have been super supportive of us, with our partners helping paint, put together 18 bookcases and even taking a turn on the till. Our eldest children will be working with us, especially as we open for extended hours in the lead up to Christmas. 

What’s important in a great children’s bookshop? What sets you apart and makes you special? 

We are a pretty unique children’s bookshop. As well as all the amazing children’s books from both well-know authors and those starting out, we have a really inclusive vibe where we choose many of our books to reflect our diverse society. Our customers love to ask us for recommendations and we pride ourselves on being able to match books to children. Our shared knowledge of children’s books and education also puts us in a great position to advise schools and other institutions on how to diversify their book selection. Books really can change the world and we like to think we are doing our little bit… 

What’s your all-time favourite…

…picture book?

Peepo by Allan Ahlberg. I loved this book when my three children were younger. It’s a gentle story of everyday family life. As well as the lovely interactive element of peeping through to the next page, it’s also a great reminder for parents that your house doesn’t need to be spotless, or you perfect, in order to raise happy children. 

…children’s novel?

Wonder by RJ Palaccio. The most inclusive book, essential reading for Y5/6, which develops empathy and encourages children to live by that motto ‘choose kind’.

… Young Adult novel?

Noughts and Crosses by Mallorie Blackman. Star-crossed lovers Sephy and Callum battle their way through an alternative future which sees the Black Crosses running the country and the White Noughts as a servile underclass. This is a modern classic from UK Children’s Laureate Mallorie Blackman.

Which recently-published books will you be recommending to your customers?

We love the wonderful Little Glow by Katie Sahota and illustrated by Harry E Woodgate, which takes the young reader on a journey through all of the festivals of light in autumn and winter, as observed by shy, quiet little candle. Knowledge is understanding, and the more our children understand about cultures different from their own, the greater the empathy they develop. 

What’s your favourite area of your bookshop?

I love our graphic novel and Manga section. We are in no way experts, but have listened to our teen and young adult customers and are expanding what we offer. As well as being seriously hip, these books are fabulous for those who find reading a challenge and/or just prefer fewer words and fast-paced action. 

What are you most proud of so far?

We are super proud that our customers feel comfortable talking to us about really tricky topics and that we can give helpful advice in the form of a book. We are also proud of ourselves for opening our first business during a pandemic, and of all of our wonderful customers who often tell us they are particularly choosing us to purchase their books from instead of well-known online shops #shoplocal!

Tell us a secret about books.

Whether you are having a good day, or a bad day, reading will improve your mood. A daily dose is highly recommended! 

Apart from your own, which other bookshop(s) do you love spending time in?

We love spending time in any of the amazing independent bookshops which we are so lucky to have dotted around the UK. Whichever is nearest to you, please use and support it so that all of our UK indie bookshops continue to thrive. 

What else would you like to share with the LoveReading community?

We are first and foremost a children’s bookshop, focussed on wonderful books from a wide selection of authors. We celebrate and support diversity, particularly neurodiversity, and are strong believers that inclusive books are for everyone. We have a welcoming shop in Hitchin, Herts. We are also strong supporters of www.ukbookshop.org, where we have our own shopfront for customers to make easy online purchases Next Page Books Bookshop UK. We are working on our own website which will be functional soon www.nextpagebooks.co.uk. If you can choose any of these ways to support us, we would be most grateful. 

Discover more:

Order online: Next Page Books Bookshop UK

Twitter: @nextpagebooksUK

Facebook: @nextpagebooksUK

And head here to read our other Bookshop of the Month profiles.