A children’s ‘book nook’ has been officially opened by bestselling children’s author and poet Matt Goodfellow at Northern’s Mossley Hill railway station in Liverpool.

Books at the book nook at the station have been donated, and there is comfortable seating where people of all ages can pick up, swap, and enjoy books while they travel.

Matt, who is one of the country’s best-loved children’s writers, has won and been shortlisted for many major awards.

Promptly at 11 am, he arrived for a memorable grand opening of the ‘book nook’, and afterwards, took time to talk to children about his life as an author.

He read from his books and answered questions from the children, many of whom were visiting the station for the first time.

To mark the occasion, all those attending the opening were presented with free copies of Matt’s latest book, Six Weeks.

The publisher Hachette UK set up the book nook at Mossley Hill station to celebrate its 200th anniversary.

The company is also working with The Reading Agency to provide welcoming reading spaces in communities where children and families can discover and enjoy books.

“Thank you to Northern for inviting me to Mossley Hill station to open their book nook. I’m delighted they’re partnering with The Reading Agency and Hachette’s Raising Readers initiative to ensure that children can access books in community spaces, especially during the summer holidays. “It was lovely to chat to the audience about why books and poetry can be such an important and exciting part of life.”

Bestselling children’s author and poet, Matt Goodfellow

“It was wonderful to welcome Matt Goodfellow to Mossley Hill to open our new book nook. Seeing the children’s faces light up as they listened to him read and took home their own copies of Six Weeks was exactly what we hoped this space would achieve – encouraging a love of reading and making the station a warmer, more welcoming place for our community.”

Kerry Peters, Director of Stations, Northern