Following a successful launch last year, Maldon Books' pop-up book shop has returned to Promenade Park, offering free books and stickers alongside best-sellers and new releases.

The Book Hut, which opened last Sunday (August 7), will be open throughout August. On Monday to Saturday, it will be open from 10am until 4.30pm, and from 11am until 4pm on Sundays.

Olivia Rosenthall, owner of Maldon Books, told Nub News there has been a "shift in focus this year", to provide more affordable books along with new and best-selling titles.

She said: "We had a lot of people that came here specifically because they liked it last year, which has been really lovely."

Inside The Book Hut, which has been decorated using supplies and materials from local businesses. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

Over the next couple of months, Maldon Books and The Book Hut are set to welcome two beloved authors: historian Dan Jones and 'The Story of Tracy Beaker' author Jacqueline Wilson.

Olivia is a lifelong fan of Jacqueline Wilson's books, so is very excited ahead of her visit in October.

She said: "I'm such a big fan of hers. I suppose that's probably always been the dream with the book shop – to be able to get your childhood hero there.

"When I sent a big email to see if she would ever consider coming to Maldon, I was really surprised to even get a reply.

"It was a quite a surprise that she said 'yes'!"

"I suppose that's probably always been the dream with the book shop – to be able to get your childhood hero there." Olivia Rosenthall, owner of Maldon Books

New York Times best-selling historian Dan Jones has written a novel called 'Essex Dogs', set during the Hundred Years' War.

He will be visiting The Book Hut to promote his latest work on September 15.

This year, Olivia has added deck chairs and parasols to the outdoor seating area, to encourage passers by to pick up a book and read it in the sunshine. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

Olivia's mother Yolanda holds 'Song, Rhyme and Story Time' sessions, at All Saints Church, Maldon, every Tuesday from 10.30am.

But from Tuesday 9 August, the sessions will be held outside The Book Hut in Promenade Park.

Aimed at children aged 0 to 5 years, the sessions encourage local children to read. Families receive a 10% voucher to put towards the purchase of a children's book.

Olivia said: "There's nothing better than sitting outside and reading a story."

Both the Book Hut and the main Maldon Books shop are open seven days a week.