Amble bookshop launches free story time to inspire young readers and writers
An Amble bookshop is encouraging children to get involved in reading and meet local authors.
Bridge Street Books opened back in May with an aim to champion independent writers and provide a community space for booklovers.
Since launching, the shop has hosted regular author events, book clubs and weekly story time sessions.
Hosted by local authors, teaching professionals or owner Fiona McEwan-Thompson herself, the story time events aim to ignite a passion for reading and spark an inspiration for writing among local children.
“Children can come in, have a story read to them and then do a little bit of an activity,” Fiona explained.
“I'm really passionate about children from Amble benefiting from it. They should be getting inspired by local authors and illustrators, meeting them face to face, and hearing their stories.”
These sessions take place each Wednesday from 4pm, are completely free-to-attend and require no booking.
Fiona assures there is also no obligation for parents to purchase the book following the session.
“It's a kind of old-fashioned concept. I've put a big soft rug on the floor, I put fidget toys down and they don't have to sit perfectly still.
"They're not in school and there is absolutely no pressure.”
On how the first few months have been generally, Fiona described how the bookshop has quickly become a community asset and fulfilled its mission of spotlighting local talent.
"It's certainly been very much appreciated and people seem to love what I'm doing,” she explained.
“I've got two book clubs running now and interestingly, each book they've picked the last two months have been independent authors.
“I feel successful in the fact that I am engaging with lots of different parts of the community.”