For the Joy of Books..

 And books are such a joy aren't they!!
They are real treasure.
I love children's books the most.
Maybe because they almost always have pictures & I like pictures a lot. They always help to tell the story...it's how we remember them so well.
 Barbara passed on an Inspiring Blogger Award to me quite recently which was so very sweet of her. I have decided to be innovative with the honour & use it as a catalyst (like tag) to tell you about one of my favourite places in Hastings. The Little Red Book Shop.

 Siobhan & Adrian are two terribly talented & very interesting people..

  so it is not at all surprising that..

 their book shop feels such an inviting & inspiring place to be.

 It's very easy to find yourself drawn in the door..

 and made to feel so welcome & at home amongst the shelves & shelves of friendly books & carefully collected memorabilia.

 You could be forgiven for shuffling over here & sitting right down for a nice long browse.

 And after a time, perhaps, hoping for a nice cuppa too.

Nosey little monkey!

 In fact, The Little Red Bookshop is a little like a unique & special blend of tea..quite distinctive & like no other. Being here necessitates a different pace, a surrender of hurry & rush. Inquisitiveness & wonder awaken & your neck soon becomes slightly strained by the inconvenient sideways hobble of the true book shop browser.

 There is a fine blend of the old & the new, the ancient & the contemporary. Around every corner & in every nook & cranny you may be greeted by a startling find, a book that catches your eye or a small collection of kiwiana: vintage, perennial.

There is constant state of ebb & flow going on here: gathering in, sending off, titivating.
 Siobhan & Adrian have recently extended the bookshop space to include a reading room with coffee machine out the back. It is still a work in progress, but should be available very soon.

I feel quite sure that Siobhan & I share a love of vintage children's books, as, a world away at March House Books does Barbara, whom I mentioned back at the beginning of this post. She has a lovely blog highlighting children's books & illustrations & other bits & bobs. Barbara also has a wonderful website:

 "March House Books is an online book shop specialising in the sale of gently used children’s and illustrated books. Every item in our store is accompanied by a picture or pictures so that you can see exactly what you are buying. We also provide comprehensive condition reports."

I first came across Barbara on Pinterest which is where I love to gather together all my favourite book titles & children's illustrations.

Visit my board Lovely Children's Books & Illustrations here.

And Favourite Children's Artists here.

This is one of my favourite little videos...about the joy of books of course!!!

Thank you so much for visiting!!

I'd love to know..what were your own favourite childhood books?

 ♥♥♥♥♥