Little book worms are the future!
I feel like an old crone writing this but it’s quite a lovely feeling, the Japanese or German languages probably have a word for it, I don’t think the English does, but it’s the feeling of being witness to youngsters growing up from afar.
Clemo Books began as a pop-up bookshop in 2021, and we’ve had regular customers since then, even more-so after opening the bookshop on Bank Street in 2023. Some of these regulars had little ones when they first started supporting our independent bookshop and we’ve got to watch these book worms grow up.
Toddlers have started school, and some have turned into teenagers, right before our eyes. In the days, weeks or months between seeing them they’ve grown in height and in confidence and reading abilities. Seeing their little personalities flourish and their taste for certain books and authors develop is just wonderful. I’m so happy to be a part of it.
One little girl and her mum were on holiday when they first encountered Clemo Books at the pop ups, before we had a bookshop. Years later they popped into the bookshop when they were on holiday to gift us a handmade card to say well done. (I cried, obviously.)
We have a sibling duo determined to smuggle out our much-loved crochet mascot Charlie the Tortoise. A well-read young man who parks himself up on the cushions each visit to immediately start his new book. And teens who come in with their friends – shortly followed by their parents who are also hanging out in town ready to give the kids a lift home.
Sometimes, in a bookshop that is about 12 meters square, it feels like a lovely kind of chaos.
It’s their parents who encourage reading in such wonderful ways too. Be it through reading with them in the bookshop, taking them to the library each weekend, or buying books for themselves to lead by example. We hear it daily during the school holidays – “I’ll never say no to buying you a book.”
Books are such an important part of our culture and childhood, the classics we read as children are still on sale and in demand today. The enduring appeal of books will never cease, and I hope to watch more youngsters discover the magic of their local independent bookshop – even if it does make me feel old – but growing old is a privilege and you get more time to read!
StoryFest Newquay x Craig Barr-Green
We were delighted to announce at the start of summer that Clemo Books, in partnership with Newquay Library and Newquay Town Council, had been awarded funding by Penguin Random House to host a series of sessions throughout the summer to help promote reading to children. The sessions have taken place throughout Newquay in July and August and have all been well attended.
Thank you so much for taking part in these wonderful events and we hope you’ll join us for the last one on Tuesday 25 August, 10:30am, on the Killacourt Bandstand with Craig Barr-Green. Perfect for ages 4 – 8 it’s completely free and youngsters get to take a free book home with them.
