Moon Lane Books opened last April as part of Moon Lane Ink, a not-for-profit company that recently won an independent bookshop innovation award for its work improving equality in children’s books. “We strive to represent the community around us and stock books encompassing experiences important to everyone,” says Virginie Clarke, the shop’s school outreach and festivals manager. “We want children visiting us to find books that reflect their lives as well as find new stories from around the world that would teach them to empathise with others. It really does feel like a community bookshop.”

Top five sellers

•Young, Gifted and Black Jamia Wilson (illustrated by Andrea Pippins)
•Children of Blood and Bone Tomi Adeyemi
•A Is for Activist Innosanto Nagara
•Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
•The Uncracked Code Tamara Macfarlane (illustrated by Eugene Ramirez Mapondera)

Five recommendations

•Julian Is a Mermaid Jessica Love
“A beautiful debut about a little boy who likes dressing up as a mermaid – it celebrates the joy of being yourself.”

•The Girls Lauren Ace (illustrated by Jenny Løvlie)
“A rich tale of female friendship over time and the way we support each other during different chapters of our lives.”

•Jabari Jumps Gaia Cornwall
“An engaging story about being brave and taking a leap with a gorgeous example of parental support.”

•You’re Amazing, Anna Hibiscus! by Atinuke (illustrated by Lauren Tobia)
“The final book in a moving, warm, funny series of stories about family by a spectacular Nigerian storyteller.”

•Last Stop on Market Street Matt de la Peña (illustrated by Christian Robinson)
“A vividly illustrated, vibrant story about the importance of community in a diverse, urban setting.”

Moon Lane Books, 300 Stanstead Road, London, SE23; moonlaneink.co.uk/the-bookshop