Reeve&McIntyre Big Up Bookshops 4: Through the Wardrobe, West Yorkshire

As Kevin flapped down to the next bookshop on his itinerary...

...he was surprised to see his friend Cardigan Faun waiting in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Oh, tidying the shelves," said Cardigan Faun. "And a little light dusting. This shop is called Through the Wardrobe, and if you call a shop that, you're bound to get fauns dropping in. Fauns and wardrobes are a Thing."

"Oh, I see," said Kevin, who had no idea at all what Cardigan Faun was on about. But he could smell an interesting, bookish, biscuity sort of smell coming from inside the shop, so he followed Cardigan Faun inside, where bookseller Leanne Yeomans was waiting to meet him. Cardigan Faun went out to fetch them some cappuccinos, and Kevin cleared his throat and started his interview.

Kevin: What is the best thing about being a bookseller?

Leanne: Unpacking the books, reading the books, displaying the books...seeing the joy in the face of a child discovering a book for the first time!! Did I mention the books?

Kevin: What’s one way you’ve tackled a problem that your bookshop has faced during the pandemic?

Leanne: Bookshop.org has been a lifesaver as it's given me the freedom to spend time focusing on my son - who needed me more than ever during lockdown - and still manage to keep the shop ticking over and customers happy.

Kevin: What are three books you absolutely love hand-selling to customers?

Leanne: Meet the Planets by Caryl Hart and Bethan Woolvin, The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr and Orphans of the Tide by Struan Murray.

Kevin: Who is your favourite children’s book illustrator? (Other than Reeve & McIntyre…)

Leanne: Argh - too hard to choose! David Litchfield, Sharon King-Chai or Paddy Donnelly! Though I love Chris Haughten and Jon Klassen too.

Kevin: What is your favourite biscuit?

Leanne: That’s too mean a question. How dare you even ask! Ppfft. I like ALL biscuits!

Kevin: This is my kind of bookshop! Have you got any biscuits around at all?

(Three selection boxes of very nice biscuits later…)

Kevin: What is the best way for people to buy books from you if they can’t visit the shop in person?

Leanne: Email is probably best: hello@throughthewardrobebooks.co.uk

Kevin: Thank you!

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