A Children’s Bookshop in Hove scooped the award for Children’s Independent Bookseller of the Year 2012 at the Bookseller Industry Awards.

Despite The Book Nook opening during the height of the recession three years ago, the shop has been a huge success with children, parents, authors, and local schools. It now provides books, and organises author events, for many secondary schools on the Sussex coast.

Owners Julie Ward and Vanessa Lewis opened the shop with the aim of helping children discover the excitement of reading.

Julie Ward said: “We started the shop because we believe there is a book out there for every child.”

The shop stocks a wide variety of books including books for babies, toddlers, and teenagers, and picture books, as well as cultural diversity books, dual language books and resources for parents and teachers.

Vanessa Lewis said: “Children and their parents have become increasingly comfortable with books since visiting Book Nook.”

As the only children’s book shop in Brighton and Hove, The Book Nook run frequent special events throughout the year including author visits, book and character days, storytelling sessions and book review competitions. Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson MBE recently visited the shop to give a reading of her latest book ‘Jack and The Flumflum Tree’.

Last year the bookshop was voted Best Independent Retailer at The Brighton and Hove Business Awards, but securing the top spot for Children’s Independent Bookseller of the Year 2012 at the Bookseller Industry Awards has awarded them with national success.

The judges at the awards loved the shop’s community spirit, and engagement with its regular story time, holding over 100 events during the last year and their impressive stock selection. They said: "The Book Nook is a great space where children and parents like spending time. It’s doing everything an independent bookshop should, and doing it well."

By Christie Mudie