Reading has always been important to me and as a self-confessed bookworm, when I became a mum it was one thing I wanted my child to be fond of too.
I had never heard of Storybarn, which is tucked away in a corner of Calderstones Park, through a cobbled courtyard and conveniently near an ice cream parlour. The unique venue provides a "one-of-a-kind reading retreat for children and their grown-ups" and I initially thought it was a fantastic idea.
On entering, shoes and coast are removed in the cloakroom, before you're invited by one of the 'storyhunters' to head upstairs onto a magical mezzanine. It's full to the brim with nooks and crannies where little ones can relax with a book, play dress up or bang away on musical instruments.
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The space is divided into various sections with impressive props, including a giant hot air balloon, a treehouse-style chill out area and a giant robot.
I went along to an Incy Wincy Rhymers session, which is tailored to children aged between one and four. There's also Tiny Acorns for babies, Story Explorers for four to nine-year-olds, and Books & Brambles, a six-week course that explores different themes connected to the wider park.
The toddlers are given free rein to play for the first 30 minutes before we were called to gather in a circle by Storybarn manager Natalia Rojas, 36, and her colleague Rain Munroe.
The session is engaging and funny, getting children involved through songs and puppets. While my own little one wandered off to explore, I found myself getting involved with Natalia and Rain's antics more than a 32-year-old probably should.
It's clear that the pair have got a lot of passion for their job. Natalia, who came to Merseyside from Canada, said: "It's a magical place, full of wonder and imagination and play - that's what we want to show children that come through, we want that 'wow' effect.
"Our biggest objective is reading for pleasure. We want people to know that books can bring communities together and bring things to life. The Storybarn was made because we wanted a window to children, shared reading groups for the most part are for adults.
"We want them to come, play, have a gorgeous time and make a memory. It's so important for children to read. I think it opens doors to different experiences and makes for a more understanding child."
The Storybarn is a great way to nurture your little one's love of reading, or to introduce them to books from an early age. The sessions are all child-led and also includes crafts.
Tickets to individual sessions start from £3.60 and a bonus for grown ups is that one admission includes a free tea or filter coffee at the nearby Reader Café.
The Reader is also hosting a number of events for spring, including a free drop-in seed planting session from 10am to 3pm today (Saturday, April 1). On the last Saturday of every month at 9am is Paws in Poetry, which is aimed at dog owners, while the Handlebards present Shakespeare with a twist in July with a Midsummer Night's Dream.
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