Let's begin by saying that I am a READER. I am one of those people who ALWAYS has a book on my bedside table, more often than not, a pile of books! I count my lucky stars that I have spent my entire professional working life working with books in some way, the majority of that time specializing in children's books.

I started as a Junior Primary teacher, so books were a big part of my life then, I love a good 'read aloud' picture book. I then moved to a Public Library where I was working on children's programs for 5 years. After this I spent nearly 9 years working for Bees Knees Books (bookseller to schools and libraries) books, where once again I was in children's book heaven!

In April 2008, I made the big move to Pegi Williams Bookshop, and I couldn't be happier with my decision to do so. My job at Pegi Williams really involves doing anything that needs to be done. For two and a half days a weeks I am more often than not the person who you'll speak to if you call, or see, if you visit the shop. The other half of the week I am lucky enough to be out on the road, visiting with librarians, providing a consultancy/sales service.

The reading, despite what many people may think, is all done in my own time. When James asked me to fill out the answers for the questions below I knew I was in trouble. Apparently the 5 pages of favourite book titles I gave him were too much…so I had to narrow it down. Being surrounded by so many amazing books, and with hundreds of new books coming out each month, my 'favourites' are constantly changing, so the lists below are the tip of a much larger ice berg.

Position:

Sales Consultant and Shop Assistant

Favourite Children's Fiction Titles:

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, Diary of a Killer Cat by Anne Fine, Granny Torrelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech, Changeover by Margaret Mahy, Permanent Rose by Hilary McKay

Favourite Children's Fiction Authors:

Andrew Clements, Sharon Creech, Hilary McKay, Phil Cummings, Kate DiCamillo, Michael Morpurgo, Jerry Spinell, Glenda Millard, Margaret Mahy

Favourite Children's Picture Books:

If I Were a Lion by Sarah Weeks, Looking For Crabs by Bruce Whatley, Tadpole's Promise by Jeanne Willis, Tough Boris by Mem Fox, Tuesday by David Wiesner, It's the Bear by Jez Alborough, Perfect Prince, The by Paul Harrison

Favourite Children's Picture Book Authors:

Emily Gravett, Mo Willems, Oliver Jeffers, Jeanne Willis, Jez Alborough, Martin Waddell

Favourite Children's Illustrators:

Stephen Michael King, David Wiesner, Emily Gravett, Graeme Base, MP Robertson. Chris Riddell

Favourite Movies:

Princess Bride, Pretty In Pink, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Before Sunrise

Favourite Quotes:

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
Dr. Seuss

Favourite Food:

Thai and Mexican

Favourite Drink:

Schweppes Lime and Soda

Interests:

Reading, Camping, Cooking/Baking, Reading, Photography, Going out for Breakfast

Years at Pegi Williams Book Shop:

April 2008