Schools
We have been supplying books to schools in and around Colchester since 1978. We offer a comprehensive service that can source books, whether it be classroom sets of educational texts, single copies of hard-to-find titles, classroom reading sets or library restocking. Read on for more information otherwise please use the contact below so that we can discuss your requirements.
We can research, source, collate and deliver your book orders across a variety of publishers with one invoice, making your life as simple as possible. Discounts for school orders start from 10% off the publisher’s prices on orders over £50.00. For substantial orders, discounts range from 15% – 20% depending on the size and type of order.
Sarah Donaldson oversees our school supply service. She has enormous knowledge of children’s books and over forty years’ experience of helping local schools find the books that suit them best. She is happy to advise and assist with putting orders together, and expert guidance can help make your budget go further. From small orders to full library restocks, contact Sarah for fast, friendly school order management.
TEACHERS
We can help you curate a wish list which can be registered with Red Lion Books and uploaded to our website. It can then be shared with benefactors, ex-pupils, current parent committees and other bodies who may wish to gift books to your library.
If you have a book-related event, we can manage book sales for you via our website, providing school discounts.
We can create lists for your set texts or author visits on our website to ensure pupils are reading the correct editions.
PARENTS AND STUDENTS
We can set up links to set texts for your educational setting. If your educational setting isn’t listed, please get in touch
WISH LISTS
We can help you curate a wish list which can be registered with Red Lion Books and uploaded to our website. It can then be shared with benefactors, ex-pupils, current parent committees and other bodies who may wish to gift books to your library
WORLD BOOK DAY
Each March, we have worked with local schools featuring the special World Book Day editions in our displays. The emphasis is always on making books fun and exciting. We have spoken at the National Bookseller’s Conference about this campaign, and while we support the ethos of the charity, we have always been against the word ‘FREE’ being printed on the books. The original purpose was for every child to walk into a bookshop with ‘currency’ and be allowed to choose a book. Parents often think the books come from school budgets, and teachers may think they come from government funding, but in actual fact, it is the booksellers who buy them. As an independent business, we do not buy enough to give them away in huge quantities. Instead, we buy enough to satisfy the children who arrive in our shop, and we would welcome you bringing your pupils or your children.
The Little Red Lion
The Little Red Lion area sits at the back of the shop. The very best titles in children’s fiction and non-fiction are shelved around a painted, wooden boat that children can ‘steer’ in any direction their imagination cares to take them. Having sold books since 1978, there are firm favourites which remain in stock as well as fresh publications being delivered daily.
You’re never too young to begin enjoying books. And you don’t have to wait until you can read! We have board books, picture books, sturdy flap books and touchy-feely books that will delight the littlest in the family.
Younger Children
Today’s range of picture books is truly fantastic. You will find favourites like Each Peach Pear Plum and The Gruffalo here, as well as a selection of the outstanding new picture books that are published each month. We feature books to help little ones understand our world – on sharing, on family troubles, on bereavement: whatever the problem, there is a book that can help. For the over-7s, we have a book club that meets every month
Middle School Age
These are the years to really enjoy reading. A time to develop confidence and discover personal tastes and enthusiasms. Books to transport you to other places and other times, as well as books to encourage understanding and reflection on our own ever-changing world. We believe that reading enjoyment is always key for any age, and we stock the books we know will excite, thrill and entertain alongside books that will challenge young minds as their experience grows. And check the young readers’ book club we host.
Teenagers
We classify teens as 13-17 (unlike some publishers) and 18-25 as Young Adults. YA has moved from the children’s section to its own space downstairs. We appreciate that there is some crossover depending on the maturity of the reader and the content of the books