Local businesses support bookshop’s reading scheme with schoolchildren

21 independents shops and cafés in Penarth have supported a six-week reading scheme run by Griffin Books, a local bookstore.

The purpose of the scheme was to encourage reading for pleasure amongst young children who often associate reading with homework.

The scheme was sponsored by Egmont Books, a children’s book publisher, and Griffin Books was one of eight bookstores chosen to participate across the UK.

Six families took part in Penarth. They each received weekly book vouchers, provided by Egmont, to spend at Griffin Books, and coffee shop vouchers donated by local businesses.

In return, the families committed to reading with their children for 20 minutes per day.

The bookshop’s owner, Mel Griffin, said:

"We were delighted to be selected to participate in this exciting project. The idea was to encourage children to experience the joy of reading for pleasure, rather than seeing it as just something they have to do for school

"Research shows that being able to choose their own books, as well as sitting down regularly to read with a parent, makes a real difference to children's enjoyment of reading. This in turn benefits their schoolwork across the whole curriculum, not just in literacy.

"We are also grateful to the local businesses who generously donated the coffee shop vouchers to help make this happen”.

“The contributions of local businesses show once again what great community spirit we have here in Penarth!"

In total, 21 local businesses donated coffee shop vouchers. This included The Bottle Shop and Lou’s for Men, who each sponsored one family for the six-week duration of the scheme.