The North Recommends: The Reader’s Storybarn

The Reader’s Storybarn is an interactive story-centre for children to explore, share and discover a love of books and storytelling.

Located in the beautiful surroundings of Liverpool’s Calderstones Park, The Storybarn creates a thrilling world of imagination where children can embark on a literary adventure with live-reading from our friendly Story Hunters, lots of exciting crafts, games, and a giant slide.

Home to a 9ft robot and a giant hot air balloon, The Storybarn is a magical space, inside and out, which inspires families to explore, get creative and allow their curiosity to run wild. Find out more about The Storybarn at www.thestorybarn.org.uk.

Of course, there are hundreds of books that excite us in The Storybarn, but at the moment we are very much delighting in sharing books about books!  Here are some of our favourites:

What better place to start than It’s a Book by Lane Smith?  “Does it Tweet?”  Asks the tech-whizz donkey, “Does it scroll down?”  The ape’s patience is tested in this hilarious and beautifully illustrated book.  The concept is simple; the message is strong.  There will ALWAYS be a place for a book!

I Do Not Like Books Anymore by Daisy Hirst

Natalie is brimming with excitement about learning to read “Now I can read all the stories in the world” she says, but it turns out, learning to read isn’t quite as straightforward as Natalie first thought.  This bright, bold picture book celebrates just how special it is to share stories, and just how tough it can be to learn something new.

Also an Octopus by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Inspiring, imaginative and incredibly creative, Also an Octopustakes us on a journey.  How do stories work?  Where do we begin?  Well we’re told that every story starts with the same thing “Just a little bit of nothing” and page by page we discover how to build a story. With an ending that asks us “So what happens next?”  Also an Octopusis a read with endless possibilities to keep young imaginations well fired.

Ike’s Incredible Ink by Brianne Farley

We love the bold, graphic style of Ike’s Incredible Ink.  Lots of monochrome and ink splots make this book feel quirky and fresh.  “Ike wanted to write a story.  An incredible story.  He had read many incredible stories, and he felt sure he could write one of his own.” Easily distracted and stuck for inspiration, Ike decides that he needs his own special ink if he is to write an incredible story and that is when his adventure truly begins…