AN INDEPENDENT book shop is being taken over by a giant octopus to mark the launch of a new book and to coincide with Bookshop Day.

The Book Nook in First Avenue, Hove, now has giant life-like octopus tentacles “breaking through” the glass frontage of the store.

Vanessa Lewis, one of the owners at the bookshop, said: “We’re delighted about the window because it is this 3D window with tentacles spilling out and we were very excited to see it.”

As well as celebrating Bookshop Day today, the national celebration of all high-street bookstores, the 3D display marks the launch of Daughter of the Deep by international best-selling author Rick Riordan - creator of the Percy Jackson series.

The new book follows Ana Dakkar and her schoolmates in a high-stakes undersea adventure, inspired by Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea.

Vanessa said: “We’re so excited for this new book and new series and I like that there is a female central character.”

The octopus tentacles will be in place at the shop for four to six weeks, before the store gets ready for Christmas.

Vanessa added that Bookshop Day is an important day for independent book retailers, especially after the challenging 18 months that many businesses have had through the pandemic.

She said: “We have a really loyal customer base and we are lucky we are so supported by local authors and illustrators.”

The Book Nook will also be marking today’s festivities with a visit from 2020 CLiPPA Award winner and poet Zaro Weil.

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