A landmark Oxford building is to be transformed into a ‘children’s paradise’ by a publishing company.

Barefoot Books was founded by two mothers opposed to the ‘commercialisation of childhood’ to encourage children to explore their imaginations and creative potential.

Based in Britain and the US, it publishes illustrated books from diverse cultures.

The Twining Building in Summertown, Oxford, most recently Ripples Bathrooms, is being transformed for its first venture into the UK high street.

Spokesman Truda Spruyt said: “It will be more of an experience than a shop. It will stock all the Barefoot Books in a very colourful setting.”

The cafe will employ Vladimir Niza, a chef who has worked at Daylesford farm shop and Raymond Blanc’s Manoir Au Quat' Saisons at Great Milton, to prepare gourmet purees for babies, as well as food for adults and older children.

The owners will run yoga, art and cookery sessions, breast-feeding and drumming workshops and story-telling sessions.

The company has already moved its 12-strong UK publishing workforce there from Bath.

Another 10 staff will work in the studio, with visiting artisans, storytellers and educators. Barefoot co-founder Nancy Traversy said: “Step inside the Barefoot Books Studio in Oxford and you’ll be stepping inside a story: take off your shoes and go barefoot with your children, into a world that is colourful, welcoming and full of fun.

“The Studio marks another step in Barefoot’s own story that began nearly 20 years ago in England.”

The company, founded by Ms Traversy and fellow mother Tessa Strickland, runs a similar venture in Concord, Massachussets, where many Harvard academics live.

They hope to open from September 12, with an official launch the first weekend of October.

The Twining Building has been empty since July last year, when Ripples closed suddenly.

It was originally a Victorian grocers, Twinings, and then a cycle shop. It is still owned by Sydney Denton, who ran the bike shop.

Earlier this year, Pizza Express was refused permission to open a restaurant there.