The bookshop on Lemon Tree Lane by Mike Lucas. Illus. by Sofya Karmazina
An old bookshop beloved by the young boy and his grandfather, which they visit each week is to be renovated. Inside all the good things about bookshops greet them. Rickety staircases, nooks and crannies to explore, old and new books to check out, a loud bell that rings when a new customer comes in. In rhyming stanzas, the story unfolds, the affection between the customers and the old bookshop a mainstay of the street. They arrive on the train, and walk to the bookshop where the old owner welcomes them inside. On the window a poster is being displayed, telling people that the bookshop will be closed for renovations.
The boy is dismayed, what will happen to all the stories and the books he loves. What will happen with Holly, the bookshop dog?
The following weeks see the bookshop being emptied, the boy peers inside, sees the skip full of the stuff they are throwing out; some favourites, the old chairs, the wooden shelves, the light fittings.
Walks down the empty and grey Lemon Tree Lane are now devoid of adventure and months later, the boy hears smashing and crashing as the inside walls are taken down. Whatever happens the boy thinks nothing will be the same as before.
At last the opening day is here and the boy ands grandpa go along to see the ribbon cutting and see what the new shop is like. And it is spectacular, Holly is there to welcome them, inside the old shelves are gone and sinuous new shelves cling to the walls. Bright colours welcome the customers and wonderful chandeliers hang from the ceiling.
The boy finds the old things he loves, but surrounded by new fittings. So change is good, but some things always stay the same. The boy’s misgivings are not realised as the new bookshop is the same but different.
Children wil love poring over the detailed illustrators, recognising bookshops they know and love, looking at the things which might change and equally surprised at the difference when the new shop is unveiled. I love the endpapers with the cracked tiles of the old shop on the first endpaper, to the gleaming tiles at the end on the new floor.
Little gems appear all through the pages of images, ensuring young eyes will take time over the illustrations as they read.
A charming tale of change is a great read aloud as children see why the boy has misgivings, but equally happy to see change happening and his acceptance of it.
Themes: Bookshops, Reading, Change, Anxiety.
Fran Knight