The most powerful woman in children's bookselling is exasperated. "Never," she says, curling her manicured hand into a fist, "Never. Get. Involved. With. Government."
Some months ago, Seni Glaister decided children's literature didn't have the prominence it deserved. No Booker. No Oscars. Yet Britain's children's writers are the best in the world. So she called on the Southbank Centre with her business partner, Ted Smart, and suggested a joint venture, a children's festival sponsored by their company, The Book People.
After some hesitation - the Southbank hadn't heard of The Book People - the ball started to roll. Musicals, readings, book-swaps, stand-up comedy, superhero workshops: 10 days of treats have now been scheduled. The merriment culminates on February 23 with a banquet for the cream of children's writing: Jacqueline Wilson, Julia Donaldson, Michael Morpurgo, Anthony Horowitz and 400 others.
Various celebrities have been asked to nominate a book they loved as a child (Mark Haddon has chosen The Wind in the Willows, George Osborne Stig of the Dump). Glaister planned to give the books to children in the care system, but she reckoned without officialdom. "Turns out the stories can contain no longing, no loss, no absence, no missing parents..." Her eyes roll. "So these kids are banned access to just about every great book ever written for them. Have you heard anything more insane? I mean, all the best stories start by getting rid of mum and dad so the adventures can begin."
The tale illustrates Glaister's feel for what people like to read - and her zeal. The combination has brought her a long way since she nursed her new baby in the Godalming kitchen of an unemployed neighbour, Ted Smart, while he mused on the business potential of door-to-door bookselling. She was 21, a single mother, and as Smart's former babysitter, she agreed to work for him three days a week for a tenner. "I never did less than six days a week for him after that," she says. "One day I'm going to bill him for my overtime."
Twenty-four years on, the company they built together sells 22million books a year and has absorbed Red House Books, the Puffin Club and a slew of competitors. Turnover is £107million and Glaister is worth £10million. She drives an Aston Martin, and the champagne, fireworks and marching bands of Book People parties are the envy of rivals. "No one knows children's books better than Seni," says Amanda Ross, producer of the TV Book Club. "They know more about bookselling than anyone else," adds Anthony Horowitz. "Much more."
Susannah Herbert - London Evening Standard - 10 Feb 2012
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