A BOOKSHOP has received a grant to help it continue its work in encouraging local youngster to read.

The Castle Hill Bookshop in Castle Hill, Richmond, was awarded £400 from a scheme run by best-selling US author James Patterson who supports independent bookshops that promote reading to children.

Manager Wendy Patch said she was delighted to be able to work with Richmond School teacher Sam Weston in the project which invites children to scour the shelves to select a free book of their choice.

Mrs Patch said: “Our idea was to give children a free book and a loyalty card with the first row stamped for free.

“They get another stamp for each book they buy costing £4.99, and if they send me a short book review of their book they also receive a free stamp. When the card is full they get another free book.

“We lost out on funding the first time we applied for it for this project, but we went ahead with it anyway because I thought it was such a good idea.”

This year though Castle Hill Bookshop was successful in winning the grant money so more children can benefit from the scheme.

English teacher Mrs Weston said: “Reading is a foundation stone of education and if children enjoy it then they are actually learning without even realising.

“It is the most rewarding thing to see them excited about reading.”

Mrs Patch added: “We don’t do enough work with the schools anymore so it is really refreshing to chat to them and help them find a book they will enjoy.”