Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family

I’m Shona and I am the owner of a South London venue – Space at 61 – which I started 16 months ago.  I live in Forest Hill (SE London). My business is in Nunhead, so I spend 99% of my time south of the river. I have two children who are aged 9 and 2.

What is your toddler’s favourite book?

My daughter’s favourite book at the moment is The Highway Rat by Julia Donaldson. I think even 2-year olds have a lot of empathy, and she gets sad seeing the animals who the Rat steals from. But she also loves the rhymes and refrains and loves to spot the Gruffalo biscuits in the bakery at the end of the book. It was a real treat for her seeing it on TV at Christmas this year.

Which book do you most like reading to her and why?

The book I most like reading to my daughter is The Tale of Mrs Tittlemouse by Beatrix Potter. It was given to us when she was born by a very dear friend. The lovely thing about this book is the little mouse and my daughter share a name, although it is only used once in the book. Whenever it gets to the place where it gives the character’s full name, my daughter smiles so much and says, ‘like me’! As with all of Beatrix Potter’s books it has the most beautiful illustrations as well.