The Little Bookshop Chapel Allerton
Georgina Pellant
Nestled in the heart of Chapel Allerton, The Little Bookshop is an independent bookstore that offers a large category of books and a range of different in-store events, from free story times to author appearances, pop-ups and various book clubs.
Great for a weekend browse, the shop carries a good range of inclusive fiction, non fiction, and children’s books. Think crime and mystery, biographies, contemporary fiction, graphic novels, and cook books, plus plenty for teens and children of all ages. Whether you’re looking for something on science, space, history, or fairy tales, you’ll find it here. This is a place to explore literature and illustration side by side, and it’s designed for the whole family.
There are regular live events in the shop where families can come together, including free 20 minute storytimes tailored to toddlers and babies. Parents can relax with a hot cup of tea or coffee whilst their little ones enjoy action-packed tales of magic and adventure. For older children, there’s a monthly book club that fosters a love for reading through discussion and companionship.
Adults are catered for, too, with a monthly adult book club featuring wine and cheese, and there’s even a silent book club, where you can bring your own book and pillow, then join others for an hour of reading in peace and quiet. As well as the stories and book clubs, The Little Bookshop hosts regular authors events for both children and adults: welcoming best-selling children’s authors, award-winning poets, and university professors to its home in Chapel Allerton.
Today it has two locations, one in Leeds and another in Skipton, as well as delivering special books all over the UK. First opened in 2017, it’s more than just a bookshop – it’s a community hub, where books bring families together to learn and have fun at the same time. If you pay a visit, make sure to have a look for its secret ‘proof’ cupboard on the book store’s main floor. Hidden in plain sight amidst its retail shelves, behind its door is a treasure trove of pre-publication goodies the owner’s have accumulated over the years.
