Bear Hunt Books CrowdFund

Once upon a time there was a human being called Michelle. Their favourite things were reading stories, watching films, and playing out. In a place called Tanbridge High in Horsham, Michelle discovered a magical world. Little did Michelle realise what an amazing adventure had started in that high school library.

Bear Hunt Books is an independent children and teen's bookshop in Bebington on the Wirral that has community, diversity, and inclusivity at its heart.

My name is Michelle Peters and, with my wife Sian, I opened the shop in October 2021 with a grand aim: to get books into the hands of any children that would like one, regardless of income.

While it has been an incredible joy to be here, we have encountered some difficulties. In our second year open, our rent was significantly increased, and this has meant that we have been limited in what we can achieve with our community work and sharing the joy of reading with children.

We have a dream to offer a dynamic and inclusive events programme here at the shop and in the wider area. We’d also like to increase our school visits and host a book festival to promote literacy and reading for pleasure. This takes time and we simply do not have the staff power to do as much as we would like.

We are hoping to raise £5000 to secure the continued development of Bear Hunt’s community work for the rest of the year. Because of rising business costs, neither myself nor my wife have drawn a wage from the business since 2021. Part of the CrowdFund would allow myself and Sian to draw a modest wage and be able to put all our efforts into building the community aspect of the business. We would also like to increase the number of hours our current staff work; they are contracted for 5 hours, and more input is so much needed.

To succeed in our ultimate aim of making books available to children who would like them, we would also need to hire social media expert to help spread the word about the shop and our mission. There are many families on the Wirral, Ellesmere Port, and beyond that don’t yet know of our existence and the difference we could make. This CrowdFund is to help us to continue in our mission to reach these children.

Testimonials:

Google

Bear Hunt Books and Toys is situated in Bebington and run by Michelle. The amazing stock of books that she sells are pictured in the photos if you swipe through. Each bookshelf is presented to display the books at their very best, covers jump out and ask to be taken off the shelves to be read.

There are so many brilliant titles and every age of children’s books is covered so it’s the perfect place to shop for a present or a book token. Michelle has a huge passion for books and children’s literature and she is more than happy to advise you if you are needing ideas. If you are browsing with your little ones, there’s also an area where they can happily play whilst you are picking books. Andrea Educ8Wirral

Bear Hunt Books is nothing short of a treasure trove of diverse, engaging, new children's and young adult literature. I have always received prompt delivery of anything ordered online. When I go into the shop I am spoilt for choice of books that I want to read. My children LOVE paying a visit. Very much recommend ordering from here. Mrs C, local primary school teacher.

Facebook

Such a brilliant local shop to have in our high street. Michelle and team are so lovely. The selection of books is fab, and they make a gorgeous cup of coffee Lucy Ellis-Irving

First time visiting with my neurodivergent daughter who usually struggles to find books she likes. Well, within minutes she zoomed on a fantastic find and enjoyed her delicious refreshing strawberry milkshake on the drive home. She is currently upstairs reading her new book. 

Loved this sweet bookshop, the light airy feel, and Michelle’s advice, suggestions and considerate handling of my daughter’s needs. 

This is the beauty of independent bookshops, the service, the knowledge, the attention Michelle Foulia author of Poppy's Miracle