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Reeve & McIntyre Big Up Bookshops: Chicken and Frog

 From the Alligator’s Mouth bookshop in Richmond, Kevin flew east-north-east into the wilds of exotic Essex, where he had an appointment in Brentwood with a chicken and a frog. But not just any old chicken and frog, oh no. This particular avian/amphibian duo had their own bookshop.



Kevin was impressed by their entrepreneurial spirit, and also by their biscuits, which they had arranged on a posh cake-stand on the table outside the shop to welcome him as he touched down. They even seemed to have a biscuit tree, on which ripe custard creams and jammy dodgers were growing. Kevin decided to ask Max and Daisy if they could plant some biscuit trees when he got back to Bumbleford.

But first he had a mission to complete. He wasn’t just here to eat biscuits. He also needed to ask some serious questions so he could add Chicken and Frog Bookshop to his record-breaking bookshop tour.*

But while he was eating the biscuits and checking to make sure he hadn’t missed any, Chicken and Frog explained that, although their handsome portraits were painted on the window, they didn’t actually have much to do with the day-to-day running of the business.

“The thing is,” said Frog, “we’re too short to be seen when we stand behind the counter. So we have a human to do the actual bookselling. She’s a very nice one and her name is Natasha Radford. Come on, we’ll introduce you, and she’ll explain everything.”



*Kevin’s tour has broken two world records: Most Bookshops Visited By A Winged Pony, and Most Biscuits Eaten During a Fourteen Week Period. (This record was previously held by Reeve & McIntyre.)

Kevin: What’s the best thing about being a bookseller?

Natasha: Meeting the readers and matching them up with the right book.

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

Natasha: We have embraced technology. As a technophobe, that's quite a leap. Our clubs have all migrated to Zoom. And we have realised that 'blended' events are the way to go in the future, as they create accessibility for so many people. For example, we have been joined by people in Egypt, Ireland, Scotland all around the UK. How wonderful is that?!

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

Natasha: Emmy Levels Up by Helen Harvey, There's an Alien in the Jam Factory by Chrissie Sains and Jenny Taylor, and The Perfect Fit by Naomi and James Jones.



Kevin: Who is your favourite children’s book illustrator?

Natasha: How can I answer that! Oh goodness. Can I give you a list instead?! Laura Ellen Anderson, Chris Riddell, Bethan Woollvin.



Kevin: What is your favourite biscuit?

Natasha: Bourbon

Kevin: Do you think it’s best to eat them all in one go, or do you prise the top biscuit layer off and lick off all the chocolatey creamy stuff before you eat the biscuity bits? Mmmmm, bourbons… Oh, sorry, what I meant to ask was, do you have a shop pet?

Natasha: Does our Lego collection count? We have lots of chickens and frogs, but not real ones, sadly. A shop goldfish will be with us soon though.

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

Natasha: Ring us with your order on 01277 230068, email info@chickenandfrog.co.uk or visit our Bookshop.Org site!



You can visit Chicken and Frog's website - chickenandfrog.com and follow them on Instagram - chickenandfrog - on Twitter - @chickenandfrog - and Facebook. And follow Kevin's tour at #ReeveAndMcIntyreBigUpBookshops!

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