By John Prince
After securing funding to expand children’s reading initiatives, an independent bookshop is aiming to tackle some of the lowest “reading for pleasure” rates in the country.
Clutterbooks in Hornsea, opened in February by Georgina Wilson, is using the support to run dedicated children’s book clubs, and a welcoming space tailored to younger readers.
While Georgina was doing research before setting up her shop, she read a literacy report published last summer that showed Yorkshire and the Humber lagging behind in reading for pleasure among eight to 18-year-olds.
“It was frightening,” she said. “So much can be learned from reading; not just spelling and grammar and a richer vocabulary, but concentration, empathy, and imagination. You’re discovering new worlds. I just thought, what a shame that children aren’t reading books or any material.”
Clutterbooks prioritised a separate children’s room rather than a token shelf, creating a dedicated place in which they felt they belonged.
Alongside existing adult book clubs, Georgina has launched free children’s groups starting this week, and the grant gives that ambition momentum. “I want to do as much as I can to push how important reading is,” Georgina added. “I didn’t want there to be a cost barrier.”
Her approach blends fiction and non-fiction, emphasising how factual books open up the world without leaving your front room or your bedroom. The aim is to normalise any kind of reading, meeting young people where they are, and building habits that stick.
The £2,500 award from the Penguin Children’s Bookshop Grant 2026 underscores growing efforts to address literacy disparities through community-based initiatives.
Forty-four independent bookshops across the UK were awarded funds from the scheme, which is part of a commitment to the National Year of Reading. Clutterbooks is the only bookshop in East Yorkshire to receive the grant.
Elspeth Dougall from Penguin Random House UK said: “Independent bookshops are embedded in their communities, so we knew we would get a great response to the grant. We’ve been blown away by the volume of applications, and the level of creativity and thought reflected in them.
“It’s a powerful reminder of what these shops are doing every day, and their vital contribution to children’s literacy and reading for pleasure across the UK.”
Georgina’s funding will cover all activities, a copy of the chosen book for each participant, and refreshments. Two age groups will be catered for from eight to 11-year-olds and 12 to 15-year-olds. These include both school-educated and home‑educated children.
The younger group meet at the shop for hands-on sessions with crafts, activities and a read-aloud introduction to the month’s title before taking the book home. The first pick is The Hatmakers – a magical mystery set in a town of enchanted artisans.
The older group will follow a format closer to adult book clubs. They will read a selected title in advance, starting with The Inheritance Games, then meet to discuss themes, characters and endings. Teens will also help choose future books, giving them a sense of ownership.
By making the clubs free, Georgina hopes to widen access and spark a lasting curiosity and enthusiasm. “What I want to happen is for them to go home saying, ‘I really need to read this book,’” she said. “The grant is here to be used, and I’m just facilitating the clubs.”
By anchoring book culture in an accessible and children-friendly setting, Clutterbooks hopes to make reading a daily pleasure rather than a school chore.
The clubs have already started, offering families and children a welcoming, no‑cost route into reading. There are a couple of places left, but there will be more clubs running this summer.
Just pop in to the shop on Newbegin in Hornsea, follow Clutterbooks on social media or email [email protected] for more information.