The Alligator'S Mouth Children'S Bookshop

At yesterday’s Inside Story Club we jumped into the amazing world of The Last Zoo (Andersen Press) by Sam Gayton Children's Author. Sam kindly joined us via Twitter for a live Q&A session. In response to the book, we came up with our own imaginary creatures that could help solve world problems (a unicorn made of plants that makes everything bloom to prevent natural destruction, a dragon with freezing breath to stop war and conflict, an earth-air-fire-water elemental to protect against natural disaster...) We also came up with safe and unsafe questions to ask genies (safe: I wish for a wooden box of fresh raspberries, unsafe: I wish to be famous). The next Inside Story Club will be Wed 22nd May and the book is Vote for Effie by Laura Wood.

Inside Story Club Wed 24th April 4:15pm: The Last Zoo by Sam Gayton Wed 22nd May 4:15pm: Vote for Effie by Laura Wood 8-12yrs, £5, redeemable against any book on the day only RSVP in the shop or call 02089486775... The Inside Story Club is our new book club with a difference for 8-12yrs! Whether you've read the book or not, we'll dive in together, journeying inside the world of the book with specifically designed creative writing and drawing activities. Tomorrow, Wed 24th March 4:15pm we're jumping into the amazing world of The Last Zoo by Sam Gayton. We'll be asking the question: if you could bring to life one creature from your imagination, what would it be and how would it help the world? Then we'll do a quick writing exercise about our chosen creatures, talking about the creatures in The Last Zoo as we go. https://mailchi.mp/ac94de32da31/9-11-book club-1794761
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We have a few places left for our lovely springtime event today at 3 pm. Join us to celebrate Ollie's Magic Bunny with Nicola Killen Illustration; listen to a story, make your own pop-up bunny, and eat some Easter eggs. Plus: goody bags!

If you could bring to life any creature from your imagination, what would it be and how would it help the world? Inside Story Club is our bookclub for 8-12yrs with immersive activities designed to help you jump inside the story. All are welcome whether they’ve read the book beforehand or not! This month’s book is The Last Zoo by Sam Gayton, author of The Snow Merchant.

Lovely to meet Jess Butterworth Author, who dropped in to sign copies of her latest book, Swimming Against the Storm, published by Hachette Children's UK. Alligator props most welcome here.

We are hopping with excitement at the prospect of an event on Wed 17th at 3pm with author and illustrator Nicola Killen around her book 'Ollie's Magic Bunny'! Nicola will be reading the book and leading a fun craft activity. 3+, £5 redeemable against Nicola's books on the day, RSVP in shop or over the phone on 020 8948 6775

SIGNED copies of Tad by Benji Davies, while stocks last. This is the amazing, perilous story of a very brave tadpole, another beauty from the author/illustrator of The Storm Whale.

At Saturday’s All the Ways to Be Smart author and illustrator event with Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys, a reading of their wonderful picturebooks was followed by an Under the Love Umbrella drawing session in which children drew pictures of people or pets who are under their love umbrella. Thanks to Davina, Allison and everyone who came along. Next author event at the shop: this Sat 6th April 3pm, Sophie Siers, Dear Mr President author reading and activities.

As today is Mother's Day we are celebrating and thinking of all mums, grandmas and mother figures, whether they be bird, bear, frog, fox, superhero or saying something silly...

Today, 29th March 4pm, we welcome Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys for an author and illustrator reading and activities! RSVP 02089486775.

Just a reminder: you have until the end of this weekend Sun 31st March to use your World Book Day vouchers. You can use each WBD voucher to buy one of the WBD books, or for £1 off any other book in the shop (not to be used cumulatively with more than one voucher against a single book). We have all of the books left aside from Lego Minifigure Mayhem, Nought Forever and Snap.

Last week was our first Inside Story Club, a new event for 8-12yrs in which we immerse ourselves in the world of a book! This month’s event was based on The Steam Whistle Theatre Company by the wonderful storyteller Vivian French. Children invented their own characters for a Victorian variety performance and created a poster (while Victorian parlour music played in the background). Next month’s Inside Story Club is Wed 24th April 4:15pm and the book is The Last Zoo by Sam Gayton Children's Author. Expect discussion and activities based on amazing imaginary creatures! More info: https://www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/even ts

Like moonlight? Like music? Like.. frogs with guitars? Why of course you do! Luckily you can experience all the above today at 3pm when we celebrate @FrannPG's beautiful In the Swamp by the LIght of the Moon. Plus craft activity, goody bags and... cake!

School bundle offer for The Alligator’s Mouth Award longlist! An exclusive offer for teachers and school libraries, get 20% off when you order one or more complete sets of the ten books longlisted for The Alligator’s Mouth Award for illustrated early fiction (£56.72 reduced from £70.90) plus free bookmarks and posters. We’d love to get schools engaged with the prize and draw attention to the authors and illustrators who can start a lifelong love of reading. Children’s thoughts on the prize and creative responses are welcome! The shortlist will be announced on 8th May and the winner on 13th June. If you and your school are interested, please email info@thealligatorsmouth.co.uk or call 02089486775. More information on the award: https://www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/awar d

This Sat 23rd March 3pm, we're lucky to have Frann Preston-Gannon Illustration for a storytime and activities based on the wonderful rhyming, sing-song journey that is 'In the Swamp by the Light of the Moon'. Frann is also the illustrator of the hugely popular poetry collection 'I Am the Seed That Grew the Tree', and the author/illustrator of picturebook favourites 'Dave's Cave', 'Dinosaur Farm' and many more. https://www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/even ts Templar Publishing

Inside Story Club for 8-12yrs March and April: Wed 20th March 4:15pm The Steam Whistle Theatre Company by Vivian French Wed 24th April 4:15pm The Last Zoo by Sam Gayton £5 (redeemable against any book on the day only), RSVP in the shop or call 02089486775 https://mailchi.mp/80ac1198312f/9-11-book club-1773121

Tomorrow Wed 20th March 4:15pm is our first Inside Story Club for 8-12yrs. Prepare for immersive activities based on 'The Steam Whistle Theatre Company' by Vivian French. Whether you've read the book or not, we'll dive in together, journeying inside the world of the book. https://www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/even ts

View our March newsletter, featuring: The Alligator's Mouth Award longlist, World Book Day, a new monthly bookclub, books on mindfulness and mental health for children, upcoming author events with Frann Preston-Gannon, Davina Bell & Allison Colpoys and Sophie Siers. https://mailchi.mp/e570c8ad1a08/6rrjvp05q u-1736085

We are thrilled to announce the longlist for The Alligator's Mouth Award 2019! Congratulations to all the illustrators, authors and publishers who have entertained and amused us all.
More information can be found at: https://www.thealligatorsmouth.co.uk/awar d

Wonderful bookshop with friendly and prepared staff, storytelling for children and events. We loved it and we came all the way from Italy to discover its magic �

What a joy to have an independent, kids' bookstore back in Richmond! So relieved that all the love & experience that made the Lion & Unicorn such a legendary shop hasn't been lost. Looking forward to great things from an already fantastic store.

What a fabulous bookshop! As well as being the only shop, either chain or independent, that I could find that had the marvellous "Frog & Toad" books (by Arnold Lobel) in stock, their friendly service, both on the phone and in store, was excellent. And I couldn't help but notice the small group of children enthusiastically participating in what looked like an after-school book club while I was being served. And conveniently situated just a few steps from Richmond station.Highly recommended!

We love this shop. We love the range of books and you can always find a quirky gem. The events are fantastic. Recommended!!!

This store is a treasure chest! Tony recommended us a couple of dozens of books for our 10 and 5 year olds and each book was a discovery. Talking to Tony was a great pleasure as well, very much enjoyed his taste, knowledge, colorful descriptions and overall cheerful attitude.

This is the kind of store I'd cross the pond for. Brilliant. I walked out with a pile of exciting books to read to my 4th graders in Michigan. Cheers!

The Alligator's Mouth is peopled with savvy booksellers. Encyclopedic knowledge whittles down the choice to the toe-curling best for our family.

Brilliant recommendations: Neil Gaiman makes a twisty tale of The Sleeper and the Spindle with Chris Riddell's mesmerizing illustrations. Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs had me screeching with horrified delight, Andrew Davidson's art brought whimsy to cannibalism. Golly.

Our local little gem. Perfect spot for bookworms and bugs of all types and age. Provides a big part of our monthly supply of books. The people who work there make every visit a perfect experience - so kind, helpful, knowledgeable and always ready to give you good recommendations based on what you've read and like or just chat and discuss a common passion. It's my secret Sunday tradition. ☕️ - Alex, age 27.

Our favourite bookshop! We live in Chiswick but often make the trip over the river to visit this gorgeous shop - the staff are so knowledgable and helpful and the events and workshops are wonderful.

My first time in the shop this morning and it certainly won't be my last!

I went in for one book and came out with three, with the most amazing recommendations on how to engage my 3 year old with the stories.

Everyone needs to support this fabulous shop, i for one am taking all of my future book needs there!

My children never just come out of the Alligator's Mouth with 'a book', they come out excited about the book (okay, usually more than one!) they have chosen, they will have had a conversation with someone who has listened to them and recommended something that they will enjoy. The knowledge of the staff and their ability to get children excited about reading is what makes them so special.

My 13-yr-old son really enjoys the monthly Saturday Teen Book Club - always interesting and eclectic titles! And it's such a pleasure to shop there - the team really know their stuff, and are great at matching the reader to the book. We are so very, very lucky to have them on our doorstep. Thank you, Alligator's Mouth!

Magic place, could spend hours in there!!!! My favorite bookshop, can't wait to be back soon

I haven't had the chance to visit the shop yet, but my brother recommended you via FB. Living in France and being very keen to encourage my granddaughter to speak English I contacted you to enquire about postage abroad. I was met with prompt friendly replies and excellent advice. Looking forward to visiting you when I'm next in GB.

I have had the privilege of knowing this team for years and am so excited that they have opened a bookshop near me. They have nurtured my family's love of reading . Please don't miss a chance to visit and hear about the amazing old and new books they have all read.

Experts in their field, and friendly with sensible advice to offer. They give careful consideration of each child's needs. I can recommend these good people who have a full understanding of both children's and adult's needs in the reading relationship

Excellent selection of kids books especially the science section. My 8 year old son loves this shop and his new book on The Elements. He can't wait to go back and get another.

An absolute treasure trove. The staff know what they're talking about and there is a feel of genuine magic when you walk in. Even as an adult.

Amazing bookshop! Kids love it, as well as parents! Great collection of books for all ages...