Sanchita Basu De Sarkar, the owner of The Children’s Bookshop, had an unexpected journey. At 22, university had dampened her joy of reading, so she turned to children's books to heal and find joy again. What she thought would be a temporary stop before a career in publishing became a deep love for the world of book selling and its community. When the previous owner, Kate Agnew, decided to sell the shop, she encouraged Sanchita to take over. Though hesitant at first, Sanchita took a leap of faith and became the owner. Recently, the bookshop won prizes for Children’s Bookseller of the Year and Best Book Retailer of the Year at the British Book Awards.
In an interview with Asian Voice, Sanchita discusses her heritage influencing the curation of books, growth in the number of South Asian writers, promoting and supporting South Asian writers and books, and much more.
As a British-Indian, how has your heritage influenced the curation of books and the overall atmosphere of your bookshop?
We have always been a wonderfully inclusive bookshop, and this commitment has endured for decades. I believe that this inclusivity sets us apart. Since taking over, I have been especially conscious of fostering these values, ensuring we have ongoing conversations about the importance of inclusive books where children can see themselves represented. We emphasise the importance of authentic representations of diverse backgrounds, going beyond broad labels like "Indian."
Our advocacy for inclusivity has made our bookshop a supportive hub for South Asian writers and illustrators. We maintain warm relationships with newcomers and established figures, reflecting the diversity of our communities. It's a wonderful network, and I do a lot to support it, including organising school events and promoting their work in the right areas where their books will be truly appreciated. We strive to create a sense of community, making these creators feel like they belong to a supportive network, because there still aren't that many of us. This is also why I want to host a festival in a few months. It can be quite isolating to be one of only a few people in a room. There have been some brilliant books published in recent years, and I want us all to come together to harness that energy, celebrate each other's achievements, and discuss what more needs to be done. But mainly, I want us to recognise and uplift each other, acknowledging the great work everyone is doing in this space.
In recent years, have you observed the growth in the number of South Asian authors writing children's books? If so, what do you think has contributed to this increase?
When I first joined the bookshop, there was hardly any representation in the books available. There were maybe one or two high-quality books published in the UK that I felt confident recommending to people. This lack of representation used to make me feel quite depressed. We work closely with an organisation called the CLP, which provides detailed reports on the disparity between the South Asian population of children in the UK and their representation in books. The gap in representation was disheartening, signalling a significant issue in the publishing industry. However, in the last few years, there's been a noticeable shift. Efforts to address this disparity have led to more books featuring diverse characters. While we still have a long way to go, the progress is encouraging, with a growing number of books reflecting diverse experiences and cultures.
How has the reception been among children and parents towards books written by South Asian authors? Are you noticing a greater interest in engagement from your young readers?
Children are so open-minded that what they want most is a good story, whether it's funny or captivating. They're not overly concerned about the heritage of the characters; if a book is good, they'll read it, walk in someone else's shoes, and have a brilliant experience. They might not specifically say, "I loved the book because the child was Bengali," but they will have absorbed something meaningful, enriching their understanding of the world. However, we do find that many parents, particularly those of Asian heritage, are very conscious of this aspect. They often seek out books that reflect the stories they grew up with. For instance, the author Nikita Gill, a popular spoken word poet, recently published a children's book on the Panchatantra. It's been wonderful to finally have a beautifully illustrated book featuring these folktales. Many families from India, especially those who are first-generation immigrants, are delighted to find something they can share with their children, alongside the Greek myths and fairy tales everyone knows.
In your opinion, what are the biggest challenges and opportunities currently facing independent bookstores, especially those specialising in children's literature?
We face challenges like business rates, soaring rents, and the cost of living, common to many businesses. Yet, the opportunities are vast. Working with children, schools, and charities brings immense joy as we impact curriculums and witness reluctant readers finding joy in books. Regular collaboration with schools and charities enriches our work. One memorable experience was bringing author Nazeen Ahmed Pathak, of Bangladeshi origin, to a school with a high Bengali population. The connections formed between her and the children were magical. I often spend entire days in schools, talking to every child and recommending books. These exhausting yet rewarding days involve hundreds of meaningful conversations about books. Additionally, I conduct reading-for-pleasure workshops and conferences for teachers, inspiring them to engage their students. Working with schools is one of my favourite aspects of the job.
