A collaboration between two independent book shops in Whitby to encourage children to read through the summer has been hailed a success.
Earlier this year, The Whitby Bookshop and The Little Fox Bookshop, were awarded funding from The Penguin Children’s Bookshop Grant 2026 to deliver their scheme, Read Up Whitby.
Running over summer it has been aimed at Key Stage 2 children, moving from year 6 to year 7, and helping them discover books which interest and excite them.
Both bookshops have worked with local primary schools to curate suggested book lists suitable for different age groups and reading abilities with a particular focus on boys who are reluctant readers.
Children taking part have also been asked to write reviews of the books they have read for display on social media and in the shops.
Thanks to the grant from Penguin, it is free for kids to take part and they also get a book to keep or book tokens.
The collaboration between Fiona Duncan, manager of Whitby Bookshop, and Lucy Robertson, owner of The Little Fox Bookshop, came after they realised they were both interested in the same scheme and thought they would have more impact together.
Fiona said: “It is going really well, we are delighted with the response, it has created such a buzz in the children’s room and a focal point. Local kids and visitors are enjoying it.
“It has been really successful and is still going on throughout the school holidays. It has sparked a lot of joy. It is about making connections, and, not just being a holiday thing but if we are here, the books are here, the reading is here.”
