LIVERPOOL.- A fun and exciting storybook has been launched at the Walker to encourage young visitors to explore and enjoy the gallery.

Something Wild…at the Walker Art Gallery has been developed and produced by National Museums Liverpool and Liverpool Childcare and Family Information Services.

Aimed at children aged five to nine years old and their parents, schools and learning practitioners, it introduces the concept of collections, museums and galleries in an innovative and accessible way.

The book follows new visitors Keith and Ali on an adventure round the gallery, discovering new paintings, sculpture and objects along the way.

The items they encounter can all be found in the Walker Art Gallery and the story features a broad mix of artworks from different time periods to show the rich and varied pieces on display.

A large format of the book is available FREE to primary schools, after-school groups and other groups based in Liverpool. A smaller version is on sale in the Walker Art Gallery shop for families and young visitors priced £6.99.

The books include eight art activity cards, which can be used to learn about the gallery’s collections following a visit, or to explore what the gallery has to offer at home or in the classroom.

Nicky Fawcett public programmes officer for National Museums Liverpool said:

“Something Wild has been designed with children in mind. The book was written and illustrated in partnership with a group of local children who helped us interpret the gallery to make the story fun and exciting for them and their friends.”

Children and staff from St Columbas and St Pascal Bylon out of school clubs took part in a series of art workshops with illustrator Kate Pankhurst in October 2008.

Inspired by the Walker Art Gallery’s collections and the children’s responses to the works of art on display, Kate created the illustrations for the main characters and the children illustrated the wonderful world around them.

A display exploring the creation of the storybook, including examples of Kate Pankhurst’s and the children’s artworks along with details of the story devised by Titania Krimpas, is on display until the end of June at the Walker Art Gallery.

Visitors to the gallery can request an activity sack from the information desk which includes a copy of the book to use in the gallery, and group bookings will receive a large copy of the book to take away for free.