Alison Haworth launches Norfolk and Suffolk look for a book

Inspired by her son’s love for books, Alison Haworth has launched a treasure hunt for children’s books.

The 39-year-old, from Gislingham, encourages people across Norfolk and Suffolk to hide books in towns and villages for inquisitive bookworms to find, enjoy and hide again.

“I came up with the idea because they were doing this in Cumbria,” said the mum-of-three. “I was there a few weeks ago and all my friends’ children were doing it and I looked into it.

“I thought it was a great idea, so, when I came home, I put a post on Facebook to see if anyone would be interested and I got a really good response.”

So far, Mrs Haworth has hidden 10 books since the Facebook group ‘Norfolk and Suffolk look for a book’ launched a few weeks ago.

Most of them she has planted in parks in Gislingham, Rickinghall, Diss and Wortham.

“It is important to me to pass on this passion for books to my children,” said Mrs Haworth.

“Especially for my 20-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter, it’s all about screen time and it quite annoys me. I just thought with my third child, Freddie, who is three, we are going to try to push more towards books.”

The aim of the initiative is to get youngsters reading and playing outdoors at the same time.

Once a book is hidden in a waterproof, see-through plastic bag, clues are posted on the Facebook group.

“Anything that encourages reading is a good thing,” said Mrs Haworth.

“You learn so much from it. I read my son a story every night and Freddie loves to read stories back to me in his own little way. It’s just nice to listen to.”

Mrs Haworth has two more boxes of books to hide and is currently thinking of a way to keep this initiative alive during the winter months.

There is also talk of launching a similar initiative for adults.