Mischief Making - seeking support!

RE: Mischief Making - seeking support!

Kate Richardson — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 16:58:30 GMT

RE: Mischief Making - seeking support!

George Cooper — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 17:32:55 GMT

An update - we WON the Independent Business Public Choice award - voted by people "liking" the photo of our display. And we were the Runners Up in the Judges' Choice for Independent Businesses. Thanks for your votes, those of you who took the trouble to do so! The "Prize" - a framed certificate and as much publicity as we can create!!

RE: Mischief Making - seeking support!

George Cooper — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 13:00:12 GMT

Thanks folks - much appreciated.

Interestingly one can click on the "Likes" we have had and it is possible to see the Facebook names of those who have supported - and out of the nearly 250 we've had there are getting on for 50 where I recognise a veterinary moniker. I am really rather chuffed to bits - even to have had a mere ONE would be pleasing, but to see so many electing to give up their time to render support to a Children's Book Shop is, actually, quite emotional.

Two little anecdotes. I saw a 30+ mother studying a series of books called 100 Facts by Miles Kelly. They're full of lovely pictures and graphics, with lots of white space and nice short prose on a panoply of subjects. Normally £7 - £8 each, and we can do them for £4.00. They're books that kids of all ages can browse through, learning without realising it by absorbing the info. Anyway - this lady was intently riffling through them so I asked in best Grandpa Book style if she needed some help. "No", she said, "but thanks. I'm looking through them for my Nan - she has dementia and can get lost happily in these for hours!"

Second. I'd a 45-50yo bloke come steaming in all hot and bothered and red-faced, and with a hint of sweaty about him. "I am FED UP being dyslexic!" he announced to me, and the others in the shop. "FED UP!" "Can you help me?" I contacted the Book Man, the proper Specialist, by messenger to ask what he would suggest. As quick as a flash he responded with the suggestion of Bear Grylls.

The hot man and I sought the Grylls books out and had a squint..... He bought one immediately and chuntered off into town. Five days later he was back - not a vestige of embarrassment about him this time - totally triumphant. "I read it, I READ IT!" he pronounced, "I managed it - and I'm back for another!" Within the next 10 days he had bought and devoured the entire Bear Grylls range, each bought with a beaming smile and genuine gratitude. Wow!

Again - white space, short paragraphs and sentences, great stories were the key to this success. Who would have thought a kids bookshop would provide the support to needy adults? We didn't.

We now have a "Reluctant Reader" display, a "Dyslexia Friendly" corner - and the display that I am most proud of, created by Mrs Book in the main, the "Feelings and Emotions" shelves covering all the difficulties kids and parents can experience - anger, bullying, self consciousness, death of a relative, sorrow, body development, shyness, and a whole lot more. Some are text-book-like, others use Picture Book animal stories, and most are written by experienced authors. It is a display that has parents and families making special journeys just to consult, often taking up to an hour to research their needs.

My own role is largely to be "Grandpa Book" as highlighted by Iain! Every kid gets a hi-five when they buy, along with a "Grandpa Book Best Customer Award" sticker, which, oddly, is just as treasured when applied to grannies and grandpas as it is when stuck on a kids lapel. Do I miss evacuating anal glands......... .......yes, and no. Both are immensely satisfying and fulfilling.

RE: Mischief Making - seeking support!

Lucy Fleming — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 12:04:55 GMT

Done!

RE: Mischief Making - seeking support!

George Cooper — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 14:55:51 GMT

Thanks Arlo! I'd hope that as we have almost 40,000 followers on FB, and haven't begun to access them overtly or in the shop, we should be in with a shout. The (hopeful) publicity would be great to be able to use.

That said - I am actually quite proud of the display. Annette (Mrs Book) created the hand-written poem that is balanced on the chair on the right after seeing a YouTube video about creating "antique" pages in an "old " book and then using her calligraphy skills fashioned the faded ink writing!

We've had random shoppers pop in from the street just to say that they love the display.

RE: Mischief Making - seeking support!

Arlo Guthrie — Tue, 23 Nov 2021 14:48:22 GMT

[quote userid="2122" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/off-duty-discussions/30076/mischief-making---seeking-support"]Please pop over to FB and "Like" the display.[/quote]

George Cooper Done. Looks like you are in the lead at the moment, though it might be a close run thing between you and June's Lacy Gowns, or June Lacy Gowns or whatever it is!

What I want to know is WHO on God's earth voted for Vodafone? If that isn't quite the most soulless Christmas display I have ever seen ....