Q: what day of the year can you get a dragon drawing tutorial; blind date a book; take a tour of ten indie bookshops; hear award-winning local authors read from their (prize-winning) books; settle in for a story time; enter many and varied bookish prize-draws and more?

A: Bookshop Day! This Saturday October 12. We caught up with Helen Wadsworth, co-owner of the Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop, to chat about the special activities going on in bookshops all around the motu and how readers can get involved.

What is Bookshop Day all about?

The fabulousness of bookshops. Yes, they are a great place to buy books but they are also wonderful community hubs and places of joy and wonder. We want to celebrate that and say thanks to the book reading community for their support as well as try and raise the profile of independent bookshops around the country.

What goings on have you planned at the Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookstore for Bookshop Day?

We have a great lineup of events and fun activities. Sarah-Jane from the local library is leading a story and singing session. Local author/illustrator Kate Talbot is launching her book How to Draw A Dragon—kids will actually get to draw a dragon as well as hear the story. Alba Gil Cedran, winner of the Margaret Mahy Illustration award will read us the book she illustrated 17 Kings and 42 Elephants and lead us in some cool animal mask making. And our final guest is winner of the Margaret Mahy Book of the Year prize for her novel Nine Girls, Stacy Gregg.

As well as these amazing guests, there will be lucky dip prizes, a Where's Wally Hunt, a Dress-Up competition and the chance to win a year's worth of audio books.

Plus we've joined with 10 other independent bookshops around Auckland to create a bookshop tour. You can pick up a bookshop tour map from any of the stores and you have 9 days to visit as many of them as you can. Collect a stamp when you purchase at each store. Each stamp gets you an entry in the draw to win $300 worth of book tokens.

Is there something about the day you’re particularly looking forward to, personally?

I just love it when the shop is full of kids—there's such a buzz of happy and excited voices. It's very energising. I'm also looking forward to seeing Mary (my sister and the Dorothy Butler Children’s Bookshop co-owner) in her Thing 1 costume!

Do you have advice for readers and booklovers for ways to make the most of Bookshop Day?

I would just recommend that people make an effort to go down to their local independent bookshop, say hi, enjoy the vibe, and take part in some of the activities that are happening. Most shops will have their programme for the day on their websites or on social media so check that out to help you decide.

Have you seen any news or events from other bookstores that you thought looked intriguing?

If I wasn't going to be spending the day at our shop I think I'd like to be at Pictura, the coolest little children's bookshop in Port Chalmers near Dunedin. They are doing some lovely activities for kids and who wouldn't want to be in a bookshop in Port Chalmers?

Any memories from Bookshop Day last year that stand out, or sum up what the day is all about, or just make you smile thinking about them?

I remember two contrasting highlights from last year. Raymond McGrath launched his second Big Little Blue book on the day and there were lots of young kids dancing and stomping and singing along to his Bubba Lubba song. Very rowdy and intense! Then half an hour later, a small group of wildlife enthusiasts were quietly soaking up the joys of Giselle Clarkson's book The Observologist — all sharing their knowledge and delighted by Giselle's snail drawings. Very quiet but just as intense!

What spurred you and Mary to become booksellers?

We've always loved reading and back in 2012 we were both looking for new job possibilities. A small local bookshop came up for sale and it was an opportunity we couldn't resist.

Do you have memories of bookshops from your own childhood (or adulthood) that highlight why bookshops are special places and booksellers are special people?

Personally, I remember libraries from childhood a lot more than bookshops. I remember the joy of leaving the library with a whole stack of new books to read.

I love going to The Women's Bookshop (just along the road from our shop). I know I’ll get a great, personal recommendation from any of the team there. That amazing book knowledge is one of the reasons why booksellers are special!

Pictured:
Top image, left to right: Helen Wadsworth, 17 Kings and 42 Elephants, Stacy Gregg, How to Draw a Dragon, Auckland Bookshops Bookshop Day Tour, Ripeka the Reading Taniwha.

Lower page image: left Giselle Clarkson with young readers, right Raymond McGrath with young readers.

Bookshop Day is run by Booksellers Aotearoa New Zealand. Find the full programme of events here.

Read more about Bookshop Day on Kete here.