Collecting children’s books is a very personal thing. The Harry Potter phenomenon is undoubtedly a major development in children’s book collecting over recent years, a phenomenon which I personally find difficult to understand. Real classics though remain as sought after as ever. Early and rare editions of books by authors such as Beatrix Potter, Lewis Carroll, Kenneth Grahame, A A Milne and J R R Tolkien are highly desireable and much prized.

Nothing quite matches the thrill of having the original first edition of a classic work, one that the author or illustrator saw through the whole process, from its beginning to the day it ran off the presses. There are also many fabulous illustrators who are in their own right avidly collected by book lovers. The classics have themselves been illustrated by many different illustrators over the years, the first editions of which are, in their own right, highly desireable. In addition there are collectable special editions, sometimes published to commemorate an important anniversary for example.

However, we also think that it is important to offer for sale later editions and paperbacks of long since out of print children’s books for people who simply want the chance to read and enjoy a book which they remember fondly from their childhood. Some particular favourites that customers are always asking for are books such as S. A. Wakefield’s ‘Bottersnikes & Gumbles’ ; The Woodland Fantasy’ series by Beverley Nichols ; ‘Carbonel’ books by Barbara Sleigh ; and many of the long since out of print pony books.

We offer a wide range of children’s books on the internet. At the book fairs, in addition to a good selection of collectable books, we also include a selection of pocket money books for children and many out of print books that we have not listed on the internet as well as brand new children’s books at a reduced price.