Rachel Giverz – Bag of Books
Bag of Books, Children’s Bookshop, 1 South Street, Lewes, BN7 1BT
Our latest Lewesians Unwrapped interview is with Rachel Giverz who runs this wonderful children’s bookshop. She also lives above the shop which she describes as “a beautiful 16th century building that’s a bit creaky and a bit leaky but I love it.”
As you open the door of this higgledy piggledy building at 1 South Street (at the bottom of Cliffe High Street) a small bell announces your arrival and you step into a bright, inviting room full of books waiting for children of all ages “to discover, handle and flick through until one feels just right”.
There are latest books piled high on tables or neatly placed in bookcases around the room. They are all very well ordered but fun to find. There is fiction for all ages, picture books, gift books, activity books, educational games and a small table with dinosaur chairs, paper and crayons to keep little hands happy while parents and older children explore the shop.
I, like most parents and grandparents, love this shop almost as much as children do. It has a lovely atmosphere and there’s a real sense of discovery with such a large and well chosen range of contemporary fiction as well as the classics. In a different room there is an impressive range of non-fiction books. These usually sell more as gifts as most are beautifully presented which makes them a bit more pricey.
Rachel’s passion for books shines through as she talks about reading children’s books as her “escape and stress relief.” In my experience of using Bag of Books numerous times, she knows exactly where every book is, what’s in stock – and has no doubt read it!
Rachel worked at Waterstones for 10 years learning the ropes until she felt brave enough to try running her own shop. She took over Bag of Books, which has been a bookshop in Lewes for 40 years, in 2020 and made it the warm and welcoming place it is today.
But Bag of Books doesn’t just sell books. Behind the scenes there is a lot of work going on and Rachel is keen to be part of the local community. She says:
“I spend the majority of my days seeking out those really great children’s books that I know kids (and parents!) will love… sifting through piles of books, reading them, reviewing them, matching book to child, creating book lists, updating the website, gathering book bundles, badgering publishers, and passing on my love of books to anyone who’s willing to listen!”
I, and my staff, believe that books are innately precious things. We believe that books should be respected and treasured and talked about and passed on and moved from home to home and loved by generations. Books can widen your understanding, inspire the imagination and take you beyond yourself.
How is the economic climate affecting book sales?
Bag of Books is a popular shop doing well, but like many local businesses times are getting tougher. Book prices are dictated by publishers so they can’t be changed, and some schools are having to cut back on their “Reading for Pleasure” programmes. And many state schools are sadly having to cut back on librarians.
Schemes and Activities
Behind the scenes there are a lot of initiatives on the go. Bag of Books runs a My Year of Books programme where Rachel and her staff hand-pick and personally select a books, gift wrap and deliver them to a young person’s home every month for a year. Parents just fill in a form with details of the child’s age and interests and a new book is selected and arrives in the post. My granddaughter loved waiting for her new book to arrive and I remember the first one being Bad Nana by local author Sophie Henn. A great choice! Alternatively they sell gift vouchers so that visiting children can have a treat.
Every Monday morning (apart from Bank holidays) is Story Time at 10.30 for 20 -25 minutes with a selection of stories for little ones.
Rachel works in partnership with the The Virtual School East Sussex which supports the education of children in care. Each quarter Bag of Books chooses and provides books for children in care – one fiction, one non fiction and one activity book, paid for by ESCC
Forthcoming Events – Contact Bag of Books for details.
Many local writers and illustrators live in this part of the world – some new and starting out and others like Jacqueline Wilson (who came for a book signing a while ago), much more familiar. Bag of Books attracts a range of creatives and the exciting window displays are often done by the authors and illustrators themselves.
Thursday 3rd April 2025
Georgie Birkett
Friday 4th April 2025
Sarah Massini
Wednesday 16th April 2025 at 11.30 am
Author Event with Jamie Catto
Best known for being the singer of Faithless and creator of the double-grammy nominated music and philosophy project ‘1 Giant Leap’ Jamie Catto will be at Bags of Books with his guitar to share some fairy stories and songs to promote his new childrens book The Old Forest Path
Join Jamie Catto and discover an enchanted forest inhabited by magical fairies who delight in music & dance. This is a beautiful story about transformation, a celebration of music & nature which is sure to delight readers of all ages.
Bag of Books is one of our hidden gems. It’s probably not so much hidden but it’s right at the end of Cliffe High Street so you need to keep walking and explore this wonderful shop. Lewes is so lucky to have it as one of the many creative businesses operating in the town and we urge book lovers of all ages to take a trip.
You can also buy books online on their online shop
Their website is a good read with book reviews, news letter and events. See www.bagofbooks.co.uk
