A Bury bookseller has set out to spread a love of reading among children with the help of generous businesses.
Jessica Coop, 30, organised a book treasure hunt in celebration of World Book Day earlier this month.
The Bury Look for a Book event saw Jessica team up with a number of borough businesses to hide around 200 books in safe places for children to find with the help of their parents.
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The mum-of-one and self-confessed bookworm set up her book selling business, the Storytime Carousel, in partnership with children’s book publisher Usborne last September.
She decided to organise the treasure hunt to ensure as many children as possible could get access to books.
Jessica said: “I went through different area but mostly near schools and parks and other child friendly places.”
“I did it to get some free books to children on the World Book Day weekend and get them out and about in the fresh air.”
With the help of generous book donations from businesses including Trotter’s Butchers, Rosie’s Piano School and Little Holcombe and Tower View Nursery, Jessica hid books in Elton, Walshaw, Brandlesholme and Fishpool.
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They also helped spread the word about the event to their customers.
Jessica added: “I think pretty much all of them have been found and some people have been reading them for other children to find.”
Parents have shared photos of their children finding the books in a dedicated Facebook page called Bury Look for a Book and Jessica says she has received really positive feedback.
Following the success of the first event, she now hopes to organise another one during the summer holidays.
“It’s boosted local businesses as well, so it’s been good for everyone,” Jessica added.
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