The Storybarn teams up with Walker Books to create outdoor Christmas trail

The Reader Storybarn team is bringing an exciting new story-based adventure to Liverpool’s Calderstones Park this December in collaboration with Walker Books, the world's leading independent publisher of children's books.

Suitable for the whole family, the Santa Post Outdoor Trail is based on the brand-new picture book by Emma Yarlett. The sparkling and joyful festive novelty book sees Santa solving a Christmas emergency – the letter he has received from a young girl named Amy is damaged and he can’t work out what gift she should receive.

Running from Saturday 5 to Wednesday 23 December, the fully-accessible trail combines Emma Yarlett’s vibrant illustrations and quirky humour with a sparkle of Storybarn magic. Priced at only £12.99, including a gift-wrapped copy of the book, the self-led sessions will last approximately 45 minutes. Suitable for household bubbles of up to six people, the outdoor activity is in line with current Government guidelines.

By following the clues on their park maps, families will solve mysteries and puzzles before discovering a very special Santa Post-box where their little elves can to send their own letter to the North Pole – and receive a reply from Santa at home! Children can bring their letter along on the day or write one during their visit to Calderstones Park.

Kara Orford, The Reader’s Head of Children and Young People Projects said: “This Christmas we’re excited to continue our tradition of exciting, story-based family activities by partnering with Walker Books. As the publisher of children’s classics like Michael Rosen’s We’re Going On A Bear Hunt and Sam McBratney’s Guess How Much I Love You, Walker Books are at the heart of children’s storytelling in the UK and we’re thrilled to work with them to bring Emma Yarlett’s gorgeous and hilarious new book Santa Post to life. I’m sure families from across the North West will love the outdoor trail and enjoy reading the book together for many Christmases to come.”

Jo Humphreys-Davies, Head of Trade, Education and Library Marketing at Walker Books said: “We are delighted to be partnering with The Reader to bring Emma Yarlett’s joyfully festive Christmas book Santa Post, to life. In a difficult time when so many events and Christmas activities will be cancelled, we look forward to bringing a little Christmas magic to Liverpool.

Staggered across the day to facilitate social distancing, multiple sessions are now available to pre-book for weekends and school holidays during December. For families that find advance booking difficult, four additional sessions will be released at 7am on the day. Further information and tickets are available at www.thereader.org.uk/events while details of The Reader at Home, free online Shared Reading activity for adults, is available at https://www.thereader.org.uk/the-reader-at-home