Book Worms' Bonus

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday May 11, 1994

JUDY JOHNSON

WHEN you mention children's books, most people think in terms of indestructible, hardcover items with large print for ages 10 and under.

That is an impression that Tony Horgan wants to change.

For nine years he and his wife, Barbara, have been running Shearer's Books for Young People in a side street off the Pacific Highway in Gordon.

However, they have never had enough space to include the breadth of interest and age groups they wanted.

They had their mainstream bookshop in the nearby Gordon Centre, but they wanted something more welcoming and user-friendly for all young people - not to mention present-hunting parents and grandparents.

Recently the Horgans opened a new shop, Shearer's Children's Bookshop and Multimedia Centre. It is right on the highway, with enough space for a good selection of books for all youth up to the age of 18.

"The 14 to 18 age level is very difficult, and it sometimes gets ignored,"said Mr Horgan.

"But we feel they will not only find something enjoyable here, but something parents will generally feel is not ultra-violent or ultra-sexual."

Mr Horgan said the shop would offer Stephen King books, as well as writers in the murder mystery and fantasy genre if they were well written, because they were very popular among kids of that age.

The "board" books for very little children have also been given a prominent place, rather than being relegated to the bottom of a shelf where they "tend to get chewed" by little children but are invisible to adults.

To prevent the eating of books, and to allow browsing in peace, the Horgans- who last year won the industry-voted Bookseller of the Year Award - have also provided a children's playpen filled with books, toys and a TV screen for videos.

Mr Horgan was excited about the multimedia nature of the shop, only possible because of its extra space. Cassette books, videos and video-CD learning aids were becoming more and more advanced, he said.

They were able to show events such as landings on the moon, could teach Italian or classical music, or could provide a vivid atlas.

Interactive learning was the way to go in the future, Mr Horgan said. He did not believe that computers would stop children reading.

"Books will always be here," he said.

"I think multimedia will almost certainly encourage kids to read books more.

"If they can see something in action, they can put it together in their own minds from what they have seen, and understand it more fully."