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OVERVIEW
BOOKS2DOOR Online retailer Books2Door, led by m.d. Abdul Thakha right, is shortlisted for the first time, as well as in Book Retailer of the Year (see p23). Heavy invest- ment in digital advertising and social media has substantially increased awareness of the brand among parents, and sales of home learning resources and discounted book sets were particularly good for the firm in 2021.
THE BOOKERY The Bookery is another first- timer on this shortlist. The not- for-profit social enterprise in Crediton is a model of commu- nity bookselling and promot- ing the pleasure of books to reluctant readers. Highlights in 2021 included a virtual World Book Day for 3,000 children in 17 schools, and a crowdfunder to donate copies of Marcus Rashford and Carl Anka’s You Are a Champion.
HALFWAY UP THE STAIRS Halfway up the Stairs is not yet three years old, but it is already at the heart of its community in Greystones in Ireland. It was very active through nearly five months of lockdown in the country, delivering resources for children’s home learning and running online book salons. Well-received new initiatives in the past year have included subscriptions and gift boxes.
WATERSTONES Waterstones last won this award in 2019, and its in-store sales rebounded well last year. While taking its share of blockbuster children’s books of 2021, its greater value to most publishers lies in its array of promotions, prizes, events, displays, exclusive editions and much more, which nurture a huge variety of new and diverse authors and illustrators.
WONDERLAND BOOKSHOP The Retford indie returns to this shortlist, after rebrand- ing from the Barrister in Wonderland. It is one of the most socially aware bookshops around and stepped up its events and work with schools in 2021, while opening another shop in nearby Newark. “Truly inclusive and passionate about engaging readers,” said one author.
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THE CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP This revered Muswell Hill independent is Britain’s longest-standing children’s bookseller and returns to this shortlist for the first time since 2013. It launched a new loyalty scheme, kick-started its social media and diversified its range beyond children’s books in 2021, and there has been a joyful return to live events and book club meetings.
THE EDINBURGH BOOKSHOP This shop is shortlisted here for a remarkable ninth year in a row. It turned itself into a click-and-collect and delivery operation during the lockdown of early 2021 and added a new Young Adult book group to its wide range of activities. Its team continues to work wonders in a small space in the Scottish capital, striving to get all children into reading.
THE LITTLE RIPON BOOKSHOP This Yorkshire independent was another shop leaning into the lockdown of early 2021, extending its virtual events like the Great Big Book Hullabaloo. The constantly creative shop has also launched a new Book Monkeys club, wishlists for schools’ classrooms and popular gift boxes of book vouchers for children’s birthdays.
MARCUS RASHFORDS BOOK WAS DONATED
WIDELY AFTER A FUNDRAISER BY THE BOOKERY
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