The Bridge Bookshop officially launches its revamped children’s corner this Saturday, May 28, on what is also Elmer Day – a national celebration in bookshops and libraries of popular children’s character Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.
From 3pm there will be storytelling and crafts as part of the Elmer Day celebrations. Also Adrian Cain, Manx Language Officer, will be translating some of the Elmer story into Manx Gaelic.
Children are invited to come dressed in their brightest colours to reflect the vividly-coloured elephant.
The multi-coloured tiles in the revamped children’s corner of the bookshop are also inspired by Elmer.
Funding for the new carpet and shelving came from a grant from author James Patterson. The grants are given to independent bookshops to highlight the important contributions they make and also to inspire children to become lifelong readers.
Bridge Bookshop received a grant from bestselling crime, children’s author and bookshop devotee James Patterson last autumn. One of the projects the grant funded was new carpet throughout the shop.
The flooring in the children’s corner was skillfully fitted by a local firm, Osbourn’s Carpets, with multi coloured tiles as a reference to Elmer the Patchwork Elephant and so far has been a hit with adults and children alike. Any independent bookshop with a dedicated children’s book section was eligible for a grant of between £250 and £5,000.
Patterson is committed to bringing attention to the important contributions of independent bookshops and he is especially concerned with inspiring children to become lifelong readers.