If your FYP has ever seen the light of #BookTok, you’ve likely come across Shelby Gambrell (@storytimewithshelbs). Her honest reviews, impressive book consumption rate, and relatable humor bring all the bookworms to the yard (or library).
Shelby was one of the first of my close friends to have a baby and inspired much of last month’s post. I’m still convinced I scared her away to Utah.
Shelby is an avid reader and mom to two beautiful children, Hudson and Rosie (who you’ll see pop up in her videos).
Read through this Q&A with Shelby to feel more inspired for your bookshelves and how to use books as part of your parenting toolbox.
A Q&A with Shelby Gambrell
Tell me about your relationship with literature as a child. How was reading important for you growing up?
I come from a family of matriarchal readers. Reading meant a lot of power to me growing up. No books were off limits, and it is wildly empowering as a child to go into a library—basically a store—and be able to pick out anything you want. This autonomy created a direct link in my mind between literature and independence.
How do you feel like you've been able to bridge a love for literature with parenting, and how does it make you a better parent?
Literature has this magical ability to throw us into empathy. Constant exposure to different points of view is a helpful reminder to me that I’m just a character in my children’s stories—a recurring guest character, but a character. My kids are still quite young and I find familiarity with this dynamic gives me patience.
When my son is sobbing because I brought him the wrong shoes, it’s easier to remember, “Oh. Yeah. He’s the hero of his story and he feels misunderstood right now,” rather than chuck his shoes out the window (as is my base instinct).
“I love that if I’m not playing with my kids, they are likely to find me reading rather than scrolling.”
We all acknowledge moms need to stop self-sacrificing on the altar of martyrdom. Which is hard! Because it’s what we have been shown is “gOoD” mothering. I am very comfortable with taking time for myself with books without guilt.
TikTok and Instagram have allowed people with niche passions to become creators and build an audience without all of the superficial influencer crap. What motivated you to start creating on these platforms, and what would your advice be to those who want to make a similar jump?
As with most great things in my life, the credit goes to my sister. During COVID, she encouraged me to start a TikTok account. I wasn’t on the platform, but she sent me videos and was adamant that I should join. Now, there are some incredible booktokers out there. They create developed, analytical responses to books, and spend a ton of time editing their videos. That’s not me. My niche is the quantity of books I read. So once I figured that out and just stayed true to it, my follower count increased.
I’m never going to be a polished creator who couples the perfect sound with awesome footage. And those videos are great! But I can talk fast and then get out of your hair.
“If you are looking to be a more visible creator in your space, lean so hard into your niche. Figure out what you are trying to say, and then be loud about it. Don’t apologize for showing up.”
What's important for your kids to know about reading?
I love this question!
I want my kids to know that there’s no such thing as a bad book—whatever genre or format.
Devouring story is always a positive thing because it always helps us center our own stories.
Also, recognize that everyone else is the protagonist of their own story. Their problems and victories are just as loud to them as ours are to us.
What's your favorite book to read to your kids? Does it change with the season of life/ages/each kid?
In the newborn phase, I love to read aloud from whatever novel I’m interested in. I think it’s most important at that age that they hear our voices, not necessarily what we’re saying.
I have a friend whose daughter insists on different books every day. Every day! That is not my son’s truth. Of the books he has been obsessed with in different stages, The Sleep Book by Dr. Seuss is a favorite of mine to read, as well as anything in the Elephant and Piggie series.
Wasn’t that such a delight?
Here are more of her favorite children’s books reccos (brb, adding all of them to cart):
You can find more of Shelby’s content on TikTok and Instagram, or sign up for her monthly book review newsletter.
What’s your relationship to reading as a parent? I’d love to hear your take on any of these questions in the comments!
P.S. - If you’re on Goodreads, I’d love to be your friend! Add me 📚