A tiny Auckland bookstore has been recognised among the world's best after being nominated for the London Book Fair's Bookstore of the Year Awards.
Time Out Bookstore in Mt Eden is up against the renowned Shakespeare and Company in Paris and Exclusive Books in South Africa for the award, which takes entries from bookstores all over the world.
Time Out manager Jenna Todd says it's "incredible" to be nominated for the award, which was only introduced in 2016 but is seen as prestigious because the London Book Fair is one of the world's biggest book industry events.
The detailed application required Ms Todd to provide information about the place the bookstore held in its community, as well as sales figures and information about staff.
One of those employees is 11-year-old Eli Keall Flynn, whom Newshub met in December.
The young bookworm is one of Time Out's most enthusiastic employees, and mans the store's children's section with the charisma and vocabulary of someone twice his age.
Ms Todd says Eli may have been "a secret weapon" in Time Out's application.
"Just having little quirks like that within our store show that we are open to change and different types of staff."
Ms Todd will attend the awards ceremony in London on March 14.
Newshub.
