Some women love shopping for shoes. My weakness is children’s books, especially since running round after a toddler has killed any opportunity or desire I had to wear heels.
Now I can indulge my addiction any time I like because my local high street in south east London has a brand new children’s bookshop called Smallprint.
The company was started online two years ago by mum Jenny Thomas who wanted to showcase books that were both beautiful to look at and rewarding to read, for children and their parents.
It’s been such a success that she opened her first shop a few days ago.
We popped in to check out the space and browse the shelves – and were in bookstore heaven! The selection is just gorgeous, with something for every age and all laid out like works of art.
At the back is an events space which will host baby and children’s groups that compliment the store’s ethos.
It was hard to choose just a couple of things to buy but we plumped for Shh! We Have A Plan by Chris Haughton as Baby Bookworm loves his other stories.
We also bought The Jungle Book by Jennifer Adams and Alison Oliver, from the BabyLit range that turns classics into cool first concept books. A friend had been recommending them just an hour before.
While I love the convenience of shopping online, being able to browse and feel and flick through the pages is a much more rewarding way to choose a new read or a gift.
It’s heartening that in this day and age, an internet business is able to expand to a physical one. I suppose it partly reflects the enduring appeal of the children’s book market, not to mention Jenny’s drive and vision.
Funnily enough, on our visit I discovered she was previously a PR for Kurt Geiger.
This must be what motherhood does to you – you swap shoes for stories.
Find out more about Smallprint at smallprint-online.com and visit the new shop at 37 Davids Road, Forest Hill, London, SE23.
Books with Baby 