Seven Stories 30 Lime Street, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ

info@sevenstories.org.uk

Tel: 0845 271 0777 ext 715 Fax: 0191 261 1931

 

www.sevenstories.org.uk

 

Seven Stories is where our rich heritage of children’s books is collected, explored and celebrated.

 

Visitors can step into the magical world of children’s books where words and pictures are the inspiration for creative activities, storytelling, dramatic fun and interactive exhibitions. Browse the specialist children’s Bookshop and relax in the Café. Open seven days a week, admission charges apply.

 

W: www.sevenstories.org.uk T: 0845 271 0777 E: info@sevenstories.org.uk

 

Seven Stories is open seven days a week: Monday–Saturday: 10am – 5pm, Sunday: 10am – 4pm.

 

Prices                                         Single           Annual

Adult                                            £6.00*            £25.00

Child (4-15)/Concession                 £5.00*            £20.00

Family+                                        £17.00*          £59.50

Children under 4 are FREE.  

 

*Includes Gift Aid

+ 1 adult and 3 children or 2 adults and 2 children

 

Supported by Arts Council and Newcastle City Council. Registered charity number 1056812.  

 

Here are our events for the Autumn/Winter: 

For booking information call: 08452710777 ext 715    

 

 

FEBRUARY

 

Thursday 10 February, 10 March, 14 April and May 12

Behind the Scenes Adult Tours

2pm – 3.30pm

Young Adult and Adult

Take a nostalgic trip to Seven Stories and get a real insight into the creation of an exhibition. Enjoy finding out about There’s Nuffin Like a Puffin (full details on page 3) and discover all your favourite children’s books from The Borrowers to Stig of the Dump. The behind the scenes tour also includes a unique handling session with Seven Stories collection of original manuscripts and illustrations from the recently acquired Enid Blyton archive. This is a very rare opportunity to see Enid Blyton typescripts from Malory Towers, The Famous Five and Secret Seven.

Visitors will also be able to browse and purchase the best of children’s books in Seven Stories independent bookshop.

 

Booking essential. £8 booking fee includes entry and cream tea in the Café.

 

Saturday 12 February

Penguin with Polly Dunbar

1pm

For all the family

Join Polly as she introduces you to her puppet friends in a beautiful family storytelling event, featuring Ben and his new pet penguin. Polly Dunbar is the award-winning illustrator of Flyaway Katie and My Dad’s a Birdman. Polly creates her own puppets to bring her children’s books to life.  

 

Followed by a public book signing.

Booking essential. £2.50 per child, in addition to admission fee.

 

Saturday 19 – Sunday 27 February

Toyland Adventures - February Half Term

For all the family

Seven Stories recently saved Enid Blyton’s archive at auction and to celebrate we have a week dedicated to one of the most famous authors of the 20^th Century. The public will be able to view the collection for the first time, which includes The Famous Five, Secret Seven, Malory Towers and Noddy.

PLUS, we have a magical mix of special events, storytimes and workshops

 

Saturday 19 – Sunday 27 February

Toyland Storytimes

Daily at 11.30am and 2pm

For all the family

“Parp, parp”, make way for Noddy! Come along and meet our Toytown friends for a storytime adventure! Hear great tales from Toyland with stories that include all of Noddy’s friends, Big Ears, Tessie Bear, Bumpy Dog and the Tubby Bears.

 

Saturday 19 and Sunday 20, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 February

Noddy and Big Ears BIG Picture

10am – 3pm

For all the family

Step into the magical world of Noddy and Big Ears with a life-size drawing of our favourite friends. Be amazed as we take over the Creation Station floor and make a collage the whole family can join in with. Old clothes and footwear recommended – this could get messy!

 

Tuesday 22 February

Animal Encounters with Zoo Lab

11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm

Age 5+

Make acquaintance with some real-life furry friends from Enid Blyton’s Enchanted Forest as you come face-to-face with your favourite woodland creatures. This is an opportunity for you to handle them and learn about how they live and survive in the real world.

 

Booking essential. £2 booking fee per child in addition to admission fee.

1 adult per child/group of children.

 

Wednesday 23 February

Famous Five Adventure Day

Drop in all day

For all the family

What better time for adventure than a school holiday? Pick up your map and clues at reception and join our Famous Five treasure hunt around the building, with exclusive Famous Five giveaways all day.

Activities in our Creation Station are only for the brave! 

 

Wednesday 23 February and Thursday 24 February

Become The Famous Five

11am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 3pm

Ages 8+

Create your own adventure inspired by The Famous Five in this fun drama-based workshop. Recruit new friends to join your group and work together to create a swash-buckling adventure. This interactive workshop features characters and extracts from The Famous Five books.

Film your exciting story for all your friends and family to see on the Seven Stories website.

 

Booking essential. Booking fee of £2.50 per person in addition to admission fee.

Maximum group of 30 children per session.

 

Wednesday 23 February

The Famous Five Quiz

3.30pm – 4.30pm

Ages 8+

A fun-filled quiz for children and their grown-ups, create your own Famous Five, Super Six or Fab Four team to take on Seven Stories’ own experts. Join us to celebrate the Famous Five adventure novels with a quiz to test all levels. Plus a tuck shop serving as much ginger beer as you can drink.

 

Booking essential. Booking fee of £2.50 per person in addition to admission fee.

Teams of 6 people maximum

 

Thursday 24 & Friday 25 February

Malory Towers Midnight Feasts

3.30pm – 4.30pm

Join our own Darrell Rivers in the Seven Stories Attic for an interactive storytime session featuring games, pranks and extracts from your favourite Malory Towers books. The event includes a host of midnight feast snacks and treats. Especially suitable for uniformed groups.

 

Booking essential. £5 booking fee per child. 

Maximum of 30 children per group

Contact Paul Black for details E: paul.black@sevenstories.org.uk T: 0845 271 0777 ext 721.

 

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 February

The Faraway Tree Puppet Sessions

11am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm

For all the Family

Enter the Enchanted Forest and see characters brought to life by our expert storyteller and puppeteer. The gigantic faraway tree is so magical that we need your help to create a mysterious world through the clouds and develop the story.

 

Booking essential. £2.50 per person, in addition to admission fee.

 

 

MARCH

 

Saturday 5 March

John Burningham and Helen Oxenbury Book Signing

1pm – 2.30pm

For all the family

This is a special opportunity to meet a very talented husband and wife team. John and Helen are both award-winning illustrators, and although they have been married for over 30 years this is the first time they have collaborated on a book. There’s Going to be a Baby is an enchanting story which follows the arrival of a new sibling, with the all-important questions that stream through the mind of a young child.

 

Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 March

Mr Gumpy and Other Outings Weekend

Drop in all day

For all the family

Join Mr Gumpy and friends this weekend as we celebrate the penultimate weekend of our delightful John Burningham exhibition. Relax with Burningham’s thought-provoking storytimes and exercise your imagination with craft activities throughout the building.

 

Saturday 12 March

Madame Poots makes a BANG!

1-4pm

For all the family

Join our favourite resident witch as she wreaks havoc in the Creation Station. Join her for drop-in potion making, as we put the sizzle into science! Visitors can also have a go at creating their own mobiles inspired by George’s Marvellous Medicine.   

Part of Newcastle Science Festival 2011.

 

Sunday 13 March

Jordan Stryker: Malcolm Rose at Seven Stories

11am

Age 8+

Featuring a BIONIC HAND in action! Join best-selling children’s author Malcolm Rose as he talks about his gripping spy series, Jordan Stryker Bionic Agent. Discover the true scientific facts behind Jordan’s amazing powers and hear Malcolm reading from his new book Cyber Terror. Children will be able to shake hands with a working bionic hand, courtesy of bionics development company Touch Bionics, and submit ideas for their own bionic inventions for Jordan Stryker.

 

Booking essential. £2.50 booking fee per person in addition to admission fee.

Followed by a public book signing.

Part of Newcastle Science Festival 2011

 

Thursday 17 March

Losing It

‘In Conversation’ with Melvin Burgess, Sophie McKenzie and Keith Grey

6pm – 8.30pm,

Adults and Young Adults.

 

Losing It is a collection of short stories by some of the UK’s leading authors of teen fiction, addressing a key issue for teens today - losing your virginity.

 

Join Keith Gray in conversation with Sophie McKenzie and Melvin Burgess in an exciting opportunity to hear these award-winning authors discuss their contributions to the critically acclaimed Losing It. Find out what motivated them to be involved in this project, the role of sex in teen fiction and the importance of short stories. Whether you're a fan of teen fiction or want to discover more about what teens are reading (and thinking) then this is for you.

 

Booking essential. £5 booking fee includes admission and free drink on arrival.

Followed by a public book signing

 

Saturday 26 March & Sunday 27 March

Beast Quest Tournament

12pm

Age 6+

 

Calling all valiant knights and questors! Six mystical beasts are guarding magical golden armour for the evil wizard Malvel. While there is still blood in your veins, join forces with Aduro the Wizard at Seven Stories and see if you have the courage, valour and beast fighting skills to defend the kingdom from Malvel’s dark arts. In an interactive event, help to solve cryptic puzzles and free the beasts from Malvel’s evil spell, with exclusive Beast Quest goodies for all participants!

 

Booking essential. £3 booking fee per person in addition to admission fee.

Followed by a public book signing.

 

 

Saturday 26 March & Sunday 27 March

Robin Hood vs the Plague Undead

2.30pm

Age 8+

 

His lungs were gone, he was completely hollow inside. Yet he was not dead. Not quite.

Do you dare to join the evil Sheriff of Nottingham’s Plague of the Undead and learn to stagger and moan like a zombie? Or will you take the side of Robin Hood to become a fearsome outlaw, learning to use an archer’s bow to defeat the enemy? Come and choose your allegiance in a fun, interactive event full of blood, guts, bows and arrows for Lads and Dads to enjoy.

 

Booking essential. £3 booking fee per person in addition to admission fee.

Followed by a public book signing.

 

Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 March

Monster Mash-up Weekend 

Drop in all day

For all the family

This weekend is for all you little monsters! Older children can enjoy Beast Quest and Robin Hood vs the Plague Undead (booking required) while younger children can enjoy all the fun of ferocious beasts and ghastly ghouls with storytimes and creative activities throughout the building. Dressing up is always encouraged at our themed weekends!

 

APRIL

 

Saturday 9 April

The Shape Game

11am

For all the family

Join Children’s Laureate, and best selling picture book author, Anthony Browne in an exclusive event. Play the famous shape game with its creator, where different shapes take on a life of their own to create a spellbinding story. Plenty of audience participation in the creation of the story and pictures.

 

Followed by a priority book signing for event attendees only.

Booking essential. £2.50 booking fee per person, in addition to admission fee.

Please note 1 adult to every child or group of children.

 

Saturday 9 April

Anthony Browne Book Signing

12.30pm

For all the family

This is a special opportunity to meet the current Children’s Laureate and star of Seven Stories newest exhibition, Anthony Browne. Please note up to two books can be signed per child, with a maximum of one from home. This event is free for all visitors. Be prepared to queue and enjoy storytelling entertainment while you wait!

 

Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 April

Through the Magic Mirror, the World of Anthony Browne

Drop in all day

For all the family

Celebrate the launch of our newest exhibition with a weekend of aping around! With themed storytimes and creative activities throughout the day, and a chance to view this very special exhibition.

 

Saturday 16 – Thursday 28 April

Through the Magic Mirror Storytimes

11.30am and 2pm

For all the Family

Sit back, relax and enjoy a family storytime session with our favourite picture book stories.

 

Friday 22 – Monday 25 April

Find Chaffy! Weekend

Find Chaffy! is the newest craze in children’s books, a Where’s Wally for 2011! Join us over Easter to make your very own Chaffy and add your mark to a giant landscape, as we          re-create the Ouseburn Valley. How many Chaffies can we add to the image? Join us to find out! Old clothes and footwear recommended – this could get messy!

 

Friday 22 – Monday 25 April

Find Chaffy!

10.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm

For all the family

This Easter we’ve put a twist on the usual Easter Egg hunt with a Find Chaffy! hunt. We have 100s of Chaffies hiding in Seven Stories, and it’s your job to hunt them out! Join our resident Chaffy hunter as we embark on the biggest treasure hunt you’ve ever seen for the chance to win a whole host of Chaffy goodies this Easter.

 

Booking recommended.

 

Friday 29 April – Monday 2 May

Prince and Princess Weekend

For all the family

Drop in all day  

To mark the Royal Wedding, we’re celebrating in style with our own Prince and Princess weekend. Dress in your finest and be crowned Prince or Princess as you create your own crown or tiara in the Creation Station. Then take your seat, sit back and relax as our court jesters entertain you with storytimes of royalty from days gone by. If that’s not enough head to the café where we will be serving prince and princess specials and of course royal-tea and cake!

 

MAY 

 

Saturday 7 May

Mr Big with Ed Vere

10.30am

For all the family

 

Jazz hands at the ready for a very special event with Ed Vere. Join the award winning author and illustrator of Mr Big and hear how he creates his best-selling books, get some illustration tips and more!

£2.50 booking fee per person in addition to admission fee.

 

Saturday 7 May

Twilight Quiz

2pm – 3.30pm

Young Adult

 

It’s back! A must for all Twi-Hards as we test your knowledge of all things Twilight with our fun, interactive quiz. With 5 months to wait for the cinematic release of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 in November, our quiz will remind you why we all secretly love vampires and weres. Our quiz features all-new questions, a hilarious host and exclusive prizes from Little Brown publishers. Plus special prizes for the best costume or Twilight outfit.

 

Booking essential. £2 booking fee in addition to admission fee.

Maximum 6 people per quiz team.

 

Thursday 12 May

The Joy of Enid Blyton with Anne Fine and David Rudd

6.30pm

Adults and Young Adults

Join former Children’s Laureate and Enid Blyton enthusiast Anne Fine, alongside the world authority on Enid Blyton, David Rudd. Anne and David will be discussing what the real Enid Blyton was like and why the whole world was captivated by her books. They will also look at her enduring popularity and what makes her books a world wide phenomenon. Seven Stories Collection team will also be showcasing recent Enid Blyton acquisitions which include original material from Malory Towers, The Famous Five, Secret Seven and Noddy.

 

Booking essential. £5 booking fee includes admission and a free ginger beer or ginger beer based cocktail on arrival.

 

Saturday 14 May

Socktopuses and Sharks that Glow in the Dark, with Nick Sharratt.

11am

Ages 5+

Have you ever met a socktopus or a camel wearing pants? What about a kung-fu-cow or a shark that glows in the dark?  Come along to see author and illustrator Nick Sharratt who will introduce you to all sorts of funny creatures. Hear about how he creates his crazy characters and help him invent some more. There willbe drawing, rhyming and a bit of rock and roll!

 

Booking essential. £2.50 booking fee per person in addition to admission fee. Followed by a public book signing.

 

 

Saturday 14 May

Nick Sharratt Book Signing

12pm

Ages 5+

Meet multi-award-winning illustrator Nick Sharratt in an exclusive book signing in the Seven Stories Bookshop. Nick is the internationally renowned illustrator of over 150 titles for children of all ages, including numerous collaborations with best-selling author Jacqueline Wilson and over 40 picture books for younger readers. 

Please note up to 2 books can be signed per child with a maximum of one book from home. The event is free for all visitors. Be prepared to wait and enjoy storytelling entertainment while you wait.

 

JUNE

 

Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June

The Mole Who Knew it Was None of His Business

11am & 1pm

By Werner Holzwarth & Wolf Erlbruch, adapted by Bernie C Byrnes
& Jim Fowler

For all the family

Did you do a poo on Mole's head? Well if not you - then who? Was it Horse? Or Pig? Or Goat?

A magical, musical adaptation of the popular children's picture book.Follow Mole's travels as he meets a variety of outlandish and amusing characters along the way.

 

Enchanting for adults; captivating for children [3+]. A cathartic tale set to a delightful original score by Jim Fowler.

Booking essential. £4 booking fee per person in addition to admission fee.

 

EXHIBITIONS.

 

There’s Nuffin Like a Puffin

Ends September 2011

 

For 70 years Puffin Books has been at the forefront of children’s publishing.  Seven Stories is proud to present an exhibition that celebrates Puffin Books and showcases some gems from the Seven Stories collection. There’s Nuffin Like a Puffin provides visitors with a rare chance to see original material from some of the best known and loved children’s books, classic and modern, of the past 70 years, including Stig of the Dump, Worzel Gummidge, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Borrowers, Artemis Fowl and Percy Jackson.  Visitors can experience Stig of the Dump’s cave, create Michael Rosen-inspired poetry using rhyming stepping stones, make spells with Jan Pieńkowski’s Meg and Mog in a magical cauldron or join Ed Vere’s Mr Big at the piano and create your own jazz music.

Supported by Puffin Books.

 

 

Mr Gumpy and Other Outings

Ends March 2011

 

John Burningham has been making picture books for almost fifty years, and has been a master craftsman from the beginning; his use of colour, mixed mediums and design changed the face of the picture book in the 1960s making him one of the defining illustrators of our time. John is an inspiration to many illustrators today. Mr Gumpy and Other Outings includes a host of John’s titles including Mr Gumpy’s Outing, Avocado Baby, Grandpa, Borka and Edwardo the Horriblest Boy in the Whole Wide World. Visitors can engage with original art work in an immersive environment where you can enjoy John’s books and take part in interactive activities such as designing a jumper for Borka. Supported by Dovecot, Northern Rock Foundation, Random House Children’s Books and Walker Books.

Birthday Parties

Combining story times, craft activities, games and an exploration of one of our exhibition galleries, a birthday party gives you an exciting Seven Stories experience! Contact us for more information:

T: 0845 271 0777 ext 715    E: info@sevenstories.org.uk

Hire us

Seven Stories is an inspirational venue for training, special events, meetings or room hire. For details contact Paul Black, Events Officer, T: 0845 271 0777 ext 721 E: paul.black@sevenstories.org.uk

 

School Bookings

For more information on our school and group offers contact Shane Smith on 0845 271 0777

E: shane.smith@sevenstories.org.uk

 

 

this is an interactive Web site

if you want to make a comment HERE or start an online Noticeboard directly relating to Seven Stories please drop Alex an email metacypher@yahoo.co.uk

 

Once you have the password you can add and change text, add pictures and stuff as easily as making a peanut butter sandwich!