About Us

The Children's Bookshop is an independent specialist bookshop established in Kilbirnie, Wellington in 1992 by John and Ruth McIntyre.

We have moved three times since, in the same mall, doubling our size each time.

In 2003 we were voted The NZ Independent Bookshop of the Year and in 2008 we were runner-up to Unity Bookshop, Wellington.

Who we are:

John McIntyre began The Children's Bookshop in August 1992. A former primary school teacher in New Zealand and the UK, he saw the need for a dedicated children's bookshop.

He was a judge of the NZ Post Children's Book Awards in 1998 and convener of judges in 1999.

He reviews children's books every fortnight on Nine to Noon with Kathryn Ryan on Radio NZ and served for six years on the board of Booksellers NZ.






Ruth McIntyre is a former journalist who has worked for a number of publications, including the English Woman's Weekly magazine, and spent 17 years with the New Zealand Press Association. She was a judge for the NZ Post Children's Book Awards in 2010 and was the convenor of the judging panel for the 2011 awards.

Ruth joined the business fulltime in 1999 and is responsible for producing our newsletters. She enjoys children's novels that feature black humour and quirky plots.






Heidi Voorendt is our Senior Bookseller and has been on our staff since May 2006, but left to travel overseas a year later.

After living in Germany and travelling Europe, we were delighted to have her rejoin us in 2008, when she took over control of our extensive school order business. She was promoted to Senior Bookseller in August 2011.

Heidi is a talented musician who plays several instruments and composes her own music. She has a passion for fiction full of adventure and mystery, and loves anything by Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton.




Sasha Martin joined us in October 2008, having worked in bookshops for the previous four years. Bookselling is in her blood, as her uncle is also a bookseller.

Sasha has a keen interest in children's book illustrations. Her favourite illustrators include Chris Riddell, Tony DiTerlizzi, Niroot Puttapipat and Arthur Rackham.








Imogen Wilson joined us in June 2011 after a six month trip overseas. Having previously worked at Arty Bees Books for 5 years she is both experienced and enthusiastic.

Imogen likes trying new things and has studied Fashion Design, Aviation – she has flown solo – and Literature. In her free time she makes and sells jewellery, working with everything from paper to metals.

Imogen is a big fan of illustrations, with too many favourites to list, collects pop-up books, and is a huge fan of Maurice Sendak.





Alison Stokes joined our part-time roster in May 2009. Born into a book-loving family, with a mother who was a librarian and a storyteller at several Wellington libraries, Alison has worked in bookstores since she was 15.

After leaving school Alison worked as Children's Book Manager in the branch of a national chain. She has a BA in Education and Anthropology, and is now studying towards a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Primary).

She is a fan of authors such as Tamora Pierce, Derek Landy and Diana Wynne-Jones.





Kate Gill, who joined our part-time staff in June 2011, has been a regular at The Children's Bookshop since birth.

She was Head Librarian at Samuel Marsden Collegiate in 2009, and is now studying English Literature at Victoria University. Kate is a keen Doctor Who fan, but has eclectic taste in reading, enjoying everything from Charlie and Lola to Charles Dickens. Her favourite of all though is Alice in Wonderland – with Tenniel illustations for sure.

Jordan Carlton joined our part-time staff in October 2011.

Jordan was born and attended primary school in Somerset, England, and emigrated to New Zealand with her family in 2006. She attended Wellington Girls College and is studying Pyschology and Criminology at Victoria University.

She is a fantasy fan, and her favourite authors include Cassandra Clare and Dr Seuss.

Mary Kate O'Connor, one of our original customers, returned to bookselling after 15 years on the family front, having previously worked at both Parsons Bookshop and Unity Books.

She now works here part-time, and when not looking after our accounts, she is looking after her four children, one dog, three cats and five chickens.