The Bruntsfield area of Edinburgh probably has the highest concentration of writers anywhere in the world. That is, with the possible exceptions of London's Hampstead and Manhattan's Upper West Side, which also have higher-than-average numbers of writers in their midst. Respected authors including Alexander McCall Smith, JK Rowling, Ian Rankin, Nicola Morgan and crime writer Lin Anderson all live in and around Bruntsfield and neighbouring Merchiston.

But up until two years ago Bruntsfield was in the sorry position of having no bookshop to showcase the talents of its many local writers. That was until Vanessa and Malcolm Robertson of Fidra Books set up The Children's Bookshop at 219 Bruntsfield Place in November 2007. Since then the shop has become a well-loved Edinburgh institution, with frequent events, readings and author signings. It's one of the few remaining independent bookshops in the city, which means staff have a genuine love, knowledge and understanding of books.

Shelves at The Children's Bookshop are packed with hand-picked titles (you won't find any of this lady's pony books here). Stock ranges from babies' first cloth books up to more challenging teen fiction. There's a section of grown-up books to keep parents happy too. And shelves with titles on parenting. Vanessa, Malcolm and their team of expert booksellers have an uncanny skill in suggesting the right book for every reader.

One wall is devoted to Fidra's own books, children's classics the publisher specialises in rescuing from unjust neglect. Titles range from 1940's adventure yarns to 1960's fantasy books and are attracting a new fan base among today's youngsters.

This is the kind of place where you can expect to encounter books that will change how you look at life. And I'm not just thinking here of how they introduced me to this chap. They sell the kind of books you would never find by trawling on-line booksellers, even if you spent all day looking.

The 5th of September saw the opening of The Edinburgh Bookshop, Fidra's new shop just for grown-ups. It's a few doors down the road from The Children's Bookshop at 181 Bruntsfield Place. They deserve every success.

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