IN the heart of Bootle you’ll find a gem that’s brimming with wonder, community spirit and the transformative power of storytelling. Kingsley & Co is a magical children’s bookshop and literacy hub that offers £1 books, free events, a quirky cafe and Victorian sweet shop — with parents travelling for miles to visit with their children.
Located on Stanley Road, Kingsley & Co invites young minds on adventures beyond their everyday lives. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am–4pm, this unique space draws families from across Merseyside and beyond — whether it’s to find new books for just £1, enjoy a bite to eat and coffee or attend the magical free events that are both fun and educational!
Conceived and run by the local charity Ykids, it blends a Victorian steampunk explorer theme with interactive wonder — think secret doors, moving bookcases, a Victorian sweet shop and a cosy café atmosphere that invites exploration. Named after the intrepid Victorian explorer Mary Kingsley, the space celebrates curiosity and discovery, much like the spirit of the books lining its shelves.
1 of the most beloved features of Kingsley & Co is the collection of excellent quality 2nd-hand books sold for just £1 each, making reading genuinely accessible for families, especially in a part of the UK where many live with economic hardship. Alongside these affordable treasures, the shop also stocks new books from local authors and award-winning patrons, ensuring a range of stories for every reader.
Adjacent to the bookshop is a welcoming café where parents and carers can enjoy barista-quality coffee, fresh cakes, and both sweet and savoury treats while children lose themselves in stories. The café isn’t just about refreshments; it’s a social hub where families connect, relax and build shared experiences around reading.
Whether you’re after storytelling sessions, creative workshops or themed family activities, Kingsley & Co has something on most weeks. Each event is an opportunity for children to explore books in new and engaging ways, often at no cost or very low cost, making them inclusive and community-centred and the events are both fun and educational.
The space offers dedicated areas for:- Storytime & Interactive Workshops (creative sessions designed to spark imagination and literacy) and Discovery Rooms & Treasure Hunts (Playful spaces that combine learning with fun). The venue also hosts Bootle Bards — a poetry club held on the 3rd Tuesday of every month and run by award winning author Ali Harwood.
Kingsley & Co is operated by Ykids, a local charity with a mission to support children and families in Bootle and the wider Merseyside Region. For over 20 years, Ykids has delivered youth clubs, mentoring, family support services and community events that help children build confidence, resilience and aspirations for the future.
Bootle itself faces significant challenges: high rates of child poverty, lower literacy levels and limited access to cultural resources. In this landscape, Kingsley & Co stands as both a creative oasis and a practical support centre, offering fun, learning and connection in equal measure.
In a community where opportunities can be limited, Kingsley & Co is much more than a shop — it’s a place of possibility. Parents, carers and children come from all over to browse books, attend events, enjoy coffee, treats and sweets, and simply be part of a joyful, imaginative space designed especially for them — a place that blends fun with education one story at a time.
Kingsley & Co / Stanley Road, Bootle, Liverpool, L20 3EH / 0151 345 5670.
Click here to view Events and Book (£5 deposit refundable to spend at cafe) or call:- 0151 345 5670.
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