Our volunteer Pauline writes:

“In recent weeks, leading up to World Book Day on 7^th March, our Schools Team have visited 15 local Primary Schools and spoken to 2,200 children about our Top Titles for 2024. The collection of 24 recently published books includes picture books for the very young, short chapter books for developing readers, longer books for older readers, super readable, dyslexia friendly titles for children between eight and 12 who lack confidence in reading plus a graphic novel and two non-fiction books.

The Bookery has a particular focus on bringing a love of reading into children’s lives – one eight-year-old said to me recently that they thought reading was about being happy!  Reading for Pleasure is not some optional frill, but a vital ingredient in children’s development.  There is strong evidence that reading for enjoyment is both a key factor in children’s educational success and a help in promoting personal and emotional development. Yet, a 2023 National Literacy Trust’s survey found that fewer than half of children aged between eight and eighteen said they enjoyed reading!

On school visits our volunteer team of experienced teachers and teacher trainers show case our collections and read extracts from the books, which children then have the opportunity to buy.  The books are heavily discounted, but we are mindful that many families simply cannot afford money for books, so all the schools we visited purchased the collection allowing all children to have access to good quality books. The visits and collections are very popular with schools. As one headteacher said of a recent visit, “We loved it! You supported us in promoting a real love of Reading.”

If you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or family friend then the gift of a book is something precious.  You may already be familiar with some well-known writers of children’s books, but you may not know that there is an abundance of wonderful authors out there who are less well known. The Bookery can help you find just the right book for a particular child and open their eyes to the pleasure of reading. You’ll find the Top Titles here and you can order books to be sent to you.

Just to remind you that in 2022, The Bookery won the prestigious National Booksellers’ awards for Best independent Bookshop and for best independent Children’s Bookshop. Each year our Schools Team of experienced teachers, librarians and teacher trainers read and review hundreds of books and then put together a collection of recently published titles.  Each book is read and carefully reviewed for content, quality of writing and illustration and age suitability. So come and pay us a visit!”