Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops

These two books are a bit off track from what's normally on my reading pile.  These books are not for children, and they are not fiction.  They are a written by Jen Campbell who works in an antiqaurain bookshop, and over the years she has experience more that a few odd comments from customers. Now all of these very funny, some times bizarre conversations have  been published in two entertaining volumes Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops and More Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops.

I laughed out loud before I even opened the first book because right there on the back cover we have this gem:

'Do you have this children's book I've heard about?  It's supposed to be very good.  It's called "Lionel Richie and the Wardrobe." '

I can hardly read that out loud without laughing even now and the book is full of classics like that.  I have a feeling the book may have more appeal to people who work in book shops and libraries.  Those people who don't surround themselves with books every day may not find  the question "Did Beatrix Potter ever write a book about dinosaurs?' as funny as I do, but the question "Do you have and pop-up books on sex education?" might get a laugh.

So, if you work in a book shop or a library you have to find either one of these books and have a read.  Guaranteed to make you smile, even if your day has been full of your very own interesting customers!

Little Red Hood by Marjolaine Leray

Every now and then a book comes along where I think…’I’m not sure who will buy this?’ This is one of those books.

What I was expecting was a version of Little Red Riding Hood, and technically that is what this is….if Little Red Riding Hood was a psychopath.

There are few words in this book, and the illustrations and font are very simple and child like. I will give you my brief synopsis…stop reading if you don’t want me to spoil the ending.

Big Bad Wolf meets Little Red Riding Hood.

They go through the ‘What Big ears/eyes/teeth’ bit

And just when he is going to eat her up, Red Riding Hood says…no

No?

Little Red tells the wolf he has stinky breath and offers him a sweet, which he takes.

Then there is a clutching of throat and collapsing on the ground…the wolf is dead…

Little Red’s response to this….fool!

So…did the wolf get what he deserved? Yes. But is it normal for Little Red Riding Hood to be so smug?  I'll leave that for you to decide.

The Times says ‘It’s totally brilliant.’, and I have sold copies, more retail customers than schools I might say, but if you have a fondness for slightly wicked picture books, then you should try ro get your hands on one of these.