THE CHILDREN'S ROOM is a project everyone at the University Book Shop is excited by. Giving the opportunity to showcase the best in books for children, teens and young adults, we are relishing the ability to encourage life-long readers. Reading is, after all, the only extra-curricular activity at age 16 that links to future academic and professional success! (Read more about the Oxford University study.)
So, here's a little bit about us...
GREG BROOK Greg has been with UBS Otago since graduating with a BA (Hons) in English just over twenty years ago. As the lead parent to his two primary-aged boys Greg has a genuine interest in boys' literacy, and extension reading. Greg is the Academic Manager for UBS Otago and can be found at our UBS On Campus store in the OUSA Archway. There he is in charge of all University and Polytechnic academic adoptions, including those for the teaching of English, Linguistics and Teacher Training.
BRUCE CADDY The gentleman of New Zealand bookselling, Bruce Caddy has owned and managed bookshops in Wellington and Dunedin for over 40 years. As our Senior Buyer his extensive experience means he can assist with book recommendations for all ages. He knows the classics off by heart, and enjoys seeing (and selecting!) what's new.
PHILLIPPA DUFFY As the eldest girl (and biggest bookworm) in a family of six children Phillippa can't recall a time when books, particularly those for children, weren't a central part of her life. She continues that love of children's literature now when reading to her own young children. It helps her stay on top of what's new in children's books.
BETH GOULSTONE Beth recently celebrated one of her 'dreams come true' in the shop when she opened an embargoed box of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child! Between her studies (Beth is currently training to be an opera singer, and we love her for that!) Beth works as a bookseller and our weekend manager. She takes Saturday story-time (where her singing voice comes in very handy) and has a special interest in children's books, including fiction for young children and books for babies.
CRAIG MCNAB Books are one of Craig's passions, and as a father of four, children's books have been an important part of his family experience. After being a committed UBS customer his entire life, Craig has been part of the team for over a year. He loves nothing matching up books to readers. With a Master of Fine Arts Craig is extremely well-skilled at recommending children's art books, such as Back & Beyond: New Zealand Painting for the Young and Curious by Gregory O'Brien, and books with a practical art, craft or building component.
BRONWYN WYLIE-GIBB As our resident book-aholic Bronwyn has a particular interest in the macarbe and understands children's love of the scary and the surreal. She also firmly believes that books aren't for a certain age of reader, but just a certain reader. As a result good children's books can be great reads for booklovers of any age. Bronwyn is always on the hunts for books that startle with their whimsy, sophistication, beauty or just downright dangerous imaginative twists and turns.
KIRSTEN WILSON has an interest in children's books that pre-dates her MA (English) where she concentrated in Dicken's child characters such as the reflective Pip from Great Expectations and of course the eponymous Oliver Twist. Having an active teenage boy of her own, Kirsten knows first-hand about books for boys of all ages. Previously in an administration role for most of her nearly 15 years at the bookshop, Kirsten is relishing putting into practice all she knows about books, learning more, and helping customers find exactly what they didn't know they needed to be reading as she becomes a specialist bookseller.
As a University Book Shop we are so fortunate to have such an outstanding group of part-time and casual staff, all with various undergraduate degrees, and many pursuing either post-graduate or additional degrees.
So, here's a little bit about us...
GREG BROOK Greg has been with UBS Otago since graduating with a BA (Hons) in English just over twenty years ago. As the lead parent to his two primary-aged boys Greg has a genuine interest in boys' literacy, and extension reading. Greg is the Academic Manager for UBS Otago and can be found at our UBS On Campus store in the OUSA Archway. There he is in charge of all University and Polytechnic academic adoptions, including those for the teaching of English, Linguistics and Teacher Training.
BRUCE CADDY The gentleman of New Zealand bookselling, Bruce Caddy has owned and managed bookshops in Wellington and Dunedin for over 40 years. As our Senior Buyer his extensive experience means he can assist with book recommendations for all ages. He knows the classics off by heart, and enjoys seeing (and selecting!) what's new.
PHILLIPPA DUFFY As the eldest girl (and biggest bookworm) in a family of six children Phillippa can't recall a time when books, particularly those for children, weren't a central part of her life. She continues that love of children's literature now when reading to her own young children. It helps her stay on top of what's new in children's books.
BETH GOULSTONE Beth recently celebrated one of her 'dreams come true' in the shop when she opened an embargoed box of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child! Between her studies (Beth is currently training to be an opera singer, and we love her for that!) Beth works as a bookseller and our weekend manager. She takes Saturday story-time (where her singing voice comes in very handy) and has a special interest in children's books, including fiction for young children and books for babies.
CRAIG MCNAB Books are one of Craig's passions, and as a father of four, children's books have been an important part of his family experience. After being a committed UBS customer his entire life, Craig has been part of the team for over a year. He loves nothing matching up books to readers. With a Master of Fine Arts Craig is extremely well-skilled at recommending children's art books, such as Back & Beyond: New Zealand Painting for the Young and Curious by Gregory O'Brien, and books with a practical art, craft or building component.
BRONWYN WYLIE-GIBB As our resident book-aholic Bronwyn has a particular interest in the macarbe and understands children's love of the scary and the surreal. She also firmly believes that books aren't for a certain age of reader, but just a certain reader. As a result good children's books can be great reads for booklovers of any age. Bronwyn is always on the hunts for books that startle with their whimsy, sophistication, beauty or just downright dangerous imaginative twists and turns.
KIRSTEN WILSON has an interest in children's books that pre-dates her MA (English) where she concentrated in Dicken's child characters such as the reflective Pip from Great Expectations and of course the eponymous Oliver Twist. Having an active teenage boy of her own, Kirsten knows first-hand about books for boys of all ages. Previously in an administration role for most of her nearly 15 years at the bookshop, Kirsten is relishing putting into practice all she knows about books, learning more, and helping customers find exactly what they didn't know they needed to be reading as she becomes a specialist bookseller.
As a University Book Shop we are so fortunate to have such an outstanding group of part-time and casual staff, all with various undergraduate degrees, and many pursuing either post-graduate or additional degrees.