The BA Children’s Bookselling Group has announced Our Castle by the Sea by Lucy Strange as its Independent Booksellers’ Children’s Book of the Month for January.

From the author of The Secret of Nightingale Wood, Our Castle by the Sea is a poignant tale which follows a young girl living in a lighthouse during WWII, whose familiar surroundings are disturbed by the turbulence of war. It is available to buy now, published by Chicken House. 

Responding to her book’s selection, Lucy Strange remarked of her fondness for independent bookshops: “I love that feeling you get when you step through the door of your local bookshop. The bell jingles, the door shuts behind you, and you take a moment just to breathe it all in: the smell of books, the colours, the soft papery whispering of a thousand magical stories…”

Chosen by a panel of independent booksellers from a range of new children’s titles, the Book of the Month showcases independent bookshops’ expertise at promoting and selling children’s books. 

Independent bookshops around the UK and Ireland will be promoting Our Castle by the Sea throughout January. The BA will be supporting the promotion of the Children’s Book of the Month through social media and promotional materials, including posters, bookmarks and stickers. Booksellers will also be supporting the Children’s Book of the Month on social media.  

Emma Bradshaw, Head of Campaigns at the BA, commented: “We are thrilled to announce Our Castle by the Sea as our very first Children’s Book of the Month. Lucy’s debut novel was a firm favourite with independent booksellers, so I know our members will be handselling this second book with much delight and enthusiasm.”.

#indiebookofthemonth
booksellers.org.uk/indiebookofthemonth
twitter.com/booksaremybag
facebook.com/booksaremybag
instagram.com/booksaremybag