Ruth and John McIntyre accept Betty Gilderdale Award

Being good booksellers has “meant becoming involved and staying involved in both the local and the literary community,” according to Wellington Childrens Bookshop owners Ruth and John McIntyre when accepting the Storylines Betty Gilderdale Award at Turnball House, Wellington this week.

The award honours Betty Gilderdale, a lifelong advocate and supporter of children’s literature.

As part of the award presentation, John and Ruth together delivered the annual Storylines Spring Address with a wide ranging account of the development of their business and the wider field of children’s literature and bookselling in New Zealand.

The McIntyres started their bookselling business in Kilbirnie in “the biggest gamble of our lives” 20 years ago by sinking their savings of $20,000 mortgaging their house and fitting out the first of three shops with $1000 worth of old Wellington Public Library Shelving. 

Read the McIntyres full speech (Word doc).