Independent Bookshop Week: In Conversation with a Story Catcher

Independent Bookshop Week (13–20 June) is a chance to celebrate everything that makes independent bookshops special – the hand-picked ranges, the knowledgeable staff and the sense of community that no algorithm can replicate. Here at Seven Stories, our bookshop sits at the heart of everything we do, staffed by people who genuinely love books and believe in the power of stories to change how children see the world.

Our Story Catchers are the brilliant performers who bring our storytelling sessions to life through daily storytelling sessions. We sat down with Woody to find out what draws someone to the role, what keeps them there, and why movement is sometimes exactly what’s needed.

How long have you been a story catcher with Seven Stories?

I think it’s been a little over a year now, I had my first shift in April 2025, though I’d worked at Seven Stories in another role for a while before that.

How did you get started?

I’m also hired by Seven Stories as a Story Seller, which for me mostly means I man the reception and occasionally help out in the coffee shop. When interviewing for my Seller role, I did say that one day I’d love the opportunity to also train up as a Catcher. When new Catcher positions went up I immediately put my name in the hat, and here we are! I spent a lot of my teenage years doing theatre, and for me becoming a Catcher felt like a natural progression from that, given my love of performing-especially for children.

What are your favourite books to read to the kids?

Anything that gives me an excuse to get people up and moving! Some favourites are Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak (there’s nothing better than a good wild rumpus to get the kids engaged) Grumpy Frog by Ed Vere (lots and lots of hopping, plus an opportunity for me to throw a tantrum, much to the amusement of everyone involved), and Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett (would you believe I never remember the animal noises correctly, so the kids have to help). I also have a real fondness for I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen, which has less opportunity for movements but is so absurdly funny and well-illustrated that it makes up for it.

Have you an experience from your storytelling sessions that really stands out as special?

My most recent standout took place during a Story Spouts early years session. I was in the middle of reading a story (I think it might have been Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson) when one of the kiddos suddenly stood up independently for the first time ever, much to the joy of her grownup. I also remember having quite a shy kid in a storytime once, I was reading Don’t Worry Little Crab by Chris Haughton and asked if anyone had ever been to see rockpools like the ones the crabs live in. This very quiet and shy kid suddenly lit up and started telling me really enthusiastically about all the animals he’d seen in the rockpools at the beach the week before, it was lovely.

What do you hope that the kids and parents come away with most from one of your storytelling sessions?

It feels a bit pretentious to say, but I really hope the kids come away with a sense of wonder. Stories are a special kind of magic, they can transport you to somewhere entirely new, have you shouting at an illustration of a pigeon because you’re forgotten it’s just a drawing, or running around the room pretending to be on the island of the Wild Things. I want every kid in my sessions to feel like they’ve had an adventure, even if only for a short while. As for the parents, I hope they come away with an appreciation for the bizarre, funny, and delightful world of children’s stories.

Are there any new books on the horizon that you are looking forward to incorporating into a future storytelling session?

I’m looking forward to Fall day, All Day by Kari Percival which I think will be wonderful for a nature themed early years session. The Gruffalo’s Granny by Julia Donaldson is another one I’m really looking forward to as someone who grew up with the original Gruffalo.

Why are storytelling sessions important?

There’s so much evidence out there about the importance of reading to children, but reading should also be fun. Storytelling sessions bring stories to life, they’re an amazing way to get kids interested in books, and to help their grownup discover ways of making books engaging. For children who might struggle to sit still with a book, they also offer a space where they’re free to enjoy the books in a way that works for them, be that wiggling on the spot or spinning in circles or running around the room with me while I pretend the book is the bird from Shh, We Have a Plan. An inclusive, fun, and silly space to truly dive into the magic of books is something I feel really, really, honoured to be able to provide.

Why is it important that we support independent bookshops?

Supporting independent local businesses is always so important, and bookshops are an especially great way to do that. Independent bookshops tend to have a wider range of books, offering titles outside of the mainstream that you might struggle to find in chain stores. They’re also a great way to discover and support local authors. Independent bookshops are also more than just the books they sell; they’re amazing places for building a community of likeminded authors, readers, and creatives.

When you were a kids, what was your favourite book?

It’s probably a tie between The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell, and The Good Mood Hunt by Hiawyn Oram. I also have incredibly fond memories of my mum reading me The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams which is unfortunately a bit too long for our storytimes, but one that I absolutely recommend people read if they have the chance.

If you weren’t a story catcher, what would your dream job be?

I’m not sure it’s a job that actually exists anymore, but I’ve always been a bit in love with the idea of being a wondering bard travelling from town to town reciting ballads and sharing stories of great heroes and terrible dragons. I think being a Story Catcher is quite close to that, though.

If reading this has made you want to experience a storytelling session for yourself, you can find out what’s coming up at sevenstories.org.uk. And if you’re looking for your next great read, consider visiting us here in Ouseburn, or our sister store Two Tales in Durham. Our staff know their stuff and they love a good book recommendation.

Independent Bookshop Week only comes around once a year, but the bookshop is here all the time – we’d love your support.