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 £6.50* £26.00
Child (4-15)/Concession £5.50* £21.00
Family+ £19.00* £60.00
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:
Booking information
Online booking now available! Visit www.sevenstories.org.uk/events or call T: 0845 271 0777 ext 715.
Booking fees are non-refundable unless stated otherwise and are additional to admission charge.
“Seven Stories is a place that celebrates books – it’s as simple as that – it’s about how books are made, where books come from, how children can get involved in books. It’s fun and it’s wonderful and I love it.” - Michael Rosen, Patron and Author.
Exhibitions
New for 2012!
A Squash and a Squeeze: Sharing Stories with Julia Donaldson
Opening Saturday 17 March 2012 until February 2013
This brand new exhibition brings Julia Donaldson’s captivating stories to life. Find out how she wrote modern classics such as The Gruffalo, Princess Mirror-Belle and The Troll and explore original artwork by her many illustrators – most famously Axel Scheffler.
Follow her journey from song writer for children’s television to current Children’s Laureate. See how she inspires her readers with story, rhyme and rhythm.
Children and their families can share stories and explore sensory environments based on Julia’s books. Follow in Toddle Waddle’s footsteps, climb into the cave with the Cave Baby and meet The Gruffalo. Sing-a-long to her songs on Julia’s Jukebox and play onstage by dressing up as your favourite character.
Supported by Scholastic, Macmillan and Alison Green Books.
Now Showing!
Daydreams and Diaries: the Story of Jacqueline Wilson
Until September 2012
Join Jacqueline on a journey sharing her favourite stories, characters and daydreams. We’ll show you how popular characters began, including Tracy Beaker, Hetty Feather and The Illustrated Mum, from ideas to text and how illustrator Nick Sharratt brings her stories to life. Be inspired to create your own stories, sit and daydream or join Jacky’s HUGE fan base from all over the world.
Supported by Random House Children’s Books and designed in partnership with Sheridan Design.
Last chance to see:
Through the Magic Mirror, the World of Anthony Browne
Until 29 February 2012
Step though the magic mirror and into the amazing world of Anthony Browne in his first UK exhibition. Immerse yourself in Anthony’s picture book world and come face to face with life-size characters of his work. View original illustrations from over 30 of his picture book titles, including Gorilla, Into the Forest, Little Beauty and Willy the Champ.
Supported by Walker Books, Random House Children’s Books, Booktrust and Northern Rock Foundation.
Regular Events
Storyparty: A feast of fun in a world of picture books!
Every Tuesday from 21 Feb | 10.30am
Every Thursday from 23 Feb | 1.30pm
During term time only
Storyparty has a different theme every week. We take the very best picture books, songs, rhymes and hands on activities and encourage under-fives and their adults to enjoy stories together, have fun and promote a love of books from an early age.
Storyparty lasts one hour and is suitable for children aged 18 months to 5 years, tickets must be booked and paid for in advance.
Booking essential. £2.50 per participating child in addition to admission fee.
Book now for Bookworm Babies March 2012!
Every Tuesday from 21 Feb | 1.30pm
Every Thursday from 23 Feb | 10.15am
During term time only
Babies love books and Bookworm Babies meet at Seven Stories to share the best baby books with their grown ups. Together we explore new ways to plat with books, singing, moving and having lots of fun in a relaxed atmosphere.
Bookworm Babies lasts one hour and is suitable for babies until they start to walk, tickets must be booked and paid for in advance.
Booking essential. £15 per participating baby for a 6 week block, accompanying adult admission fee only. Under 4s admission free.
Creative Craft Sessions
Every Saturday and Sunday from Saturday 25 February | 10.45am & 3pm
Roll up, roll up, create everything from flying inventions inspired by My Dad’s a Birdman to collage or watercolour scenes in the style of Jane Ray. Work as a family or on your own to make a crafty creation to take home, all inspired by the artwork from our favourite authors and illustrators. With a different activity every weekend, there is something different for everyone to enjoy again and again.
Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.
February
Brian Alderson Lecture Series
Seminar Room 152, Level 1, Robinson Library, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU
Suitable for young adults and adults
Brian Alderson is one of the pioneers of children’s literature studies in Britain and prolific writer, reviewer and translator.
A generous supporter of Seven Stories and children’s literature in Newcatle for many years, we are pleased to present Brian’s series of talks examining the life and work if the illustrators represented in the Seven Stories Collection.
Wednesday 8 Feb | 5.30pm | ‘The Born Illustrator’ – Edward Ardizzone
Wednesday 7 March | 5.30pm | ‘A loftful of paper’ – Peter Dickinson
Wednesday 16 May | 5.30pm | ‘Out of the clearer’s skip – Faith Jacques, illustrator and fighter for illustrators rights’
Free event, booking recommended. Email lorna.duncanson@sevenstories.org.uk to reserve your place
Best Friends Weekend
Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 February | Drop in all day | For all the family
What makes your best friend special? Whether they are crazy, adorable, zany or funny, celebrate Valentines Day with a difference this year and tell your BFF why they are the coolest! Make your own matching friendship bracelets or a photo frame to show your favourite moments together.
Storytimes 11.30am and 2pm
Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.
Into the Jungle Week
Saturday 11 – Sunday 19 February | Drop in all day | For all the family
Crawl, prowl, slither or fly down to Seven Stories this February Half Term for a whole week of WILD activities! Go Through the Magic Mirror and into the world of Anthony Browne for the last time and join in with some awesome ape and mad monkey activities based on the work of this best-selling author and illustrator.
With jungle themed face painting and all your favourite animal stories, this week is perfect entertainment for your wild thing. Grrrrr!
Storytimes: 11.30am and 2pm daily.
Face painting in the Bookshop: Drop in all day Wednesday 15 and Friday 17 February
Face painting £1 per child
Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.
Seven Stories Adult Tours
Sunday 12 February, Thursday 22 March, Sunday 15 April, Sunday 10 May & Sunday 24 June | 1.30pm – 3pm | Young Adults and Adults
Seven Stories is home to Britain’s only archive dedicated to modern children’s literature. This is a special opportunity to view unseen treasures and to meet the expert team who look after our Collection and bring it to life in our Exhibitions. If you are proud of the UK’s literary heritage and love children’s books, this is the tour for you.
Booking essential, £10 per person, includes admission and cream tea in the café. National Art Card holders gain free access to our adult tours subject to advance booking and can order a cream tea for after the tour for a discount price of £3.50!
Sockywockydoohah! With Nick Sharratt
Tuesday 14 February | 11.30am & 2.30pm | For all the family
Laugh your socks off! Come and meet author and illustrator Nick Sharratt and a whole collection of characters in very crazy clothes! Look out for pandas in pants, hippos in hats and cows in kung-fu outfits. They’ll be drawing, rhyming and funny games to play.
Nick will be sharing lots of his picture books and presenting his brand new book, Socks, so put on your jolliest pair and please bring along and old, odd sock too! Look out for sockrels, sockodiles and Goldisocks and prepare to look at your sock draw in a whole new light.
Followed by a public book signing in the Seven Stories Bookshop at 12.30pm and 3.30pm.
Booking essential. £3 per person in addition to admission fee.
Hetty Feather comes to life at Seven Stories
Thursday 16 February | 11am, 1pm & 3pm | For ages 5+
Hetty Feather is coming to life at Seven Stories! Join students from the BA (Hons) Drama course at Northumbria University for a special interactive theatre event exclusively for us. See Jacqueline Wilson’s story brought to life, meet and speak to the characters from the book and decide for yourself what you think about the Victorian foundling girl with the flame red hair and the fiery temper…
A must-see for all Jacqueline Wilson fans
Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.
Illustration Master Class with Anthony Browne
Friday 17 February | 10.30am – 4pm | Young adults and adults
Join the former Children’s Laureate and award-winning author and illustrator Anthony Browne, for an exclusive master class focusing on creative processes, illustration techniques and, of course, gorillas! Take a look at Anthony’s original illustrations in the Seven Stories acclaimed exhibition, Through the Magic Mirror, the World of Anthony Browne before joining Anthony to gain an insight in to the world of a best-selling illustrator.
With almost 40 books for children, Anthony Browne has been awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal for Zoo and is the first British illustrator to win the Hans Christian Anderson Award for services to children’s literature.
Booking essential. £35 per person. Includes admission and lunch. Suitable for ages 15 and over.
Step Through the Magic Mirror with Anthony Browne
Saturday 18 February | 2.30pm | For ages 5+
A great event for all your cheeky monkeys! This is a special opportunity to meet the former Children’s Laureate, Anthony Browne, and wave goodbye to Gorilla, Willy the Champ, Little Beauty and all their friends before Through the Magic Mirror, the World of Anthony Browne closes it’s doors for the last time. Plenty of audience participation is needed, this event is packed with storytelling, drawing and lots of apeing around.
Followed by a public book signing at 3.30pm in the Seven Stories Bookshop.
Booking essential. £3 per person in addition to admission fee.
March
Celebrate World Book Day at Seven Stories
Thursday 1 March | Drop in all day | For all the family
Where better to celebrate World Book Day than Seven Stories, the national centre for children’s books? Join in with story times including our seven favourite stories or tell us what your favourites are! Head down to the Creation Station to get crafty with creative activities based on the biggest, hairiest, scaliest, funniest and maddest characters in children’s books. Why not spend your World Book Day Voucher in our Bookshop?
Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.
WORLD BOOK DAY with Winnie the Witch!
Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March | 11.30am & 2pm | For all the family
Celebrate World book day with Winnie the Witch and Wilbur!
“Hi, Winnie the Witch here. Come along to my party and meet me and Wilbur to celebrate my newest book release on World Book Day. Help me make party punch with one of my new potion recipies, and lets all celebrate! I do hope nothing goes wrong…”
Grab a broom and cauldron to hear stories, make potions and play games with one of the most accident prone witches around,
Booking essential. £3 per person in addition to admission fee.
Fickling Lecture with Shami Chakrabarti: Enlisting Dubledore’s Army: Children’s Stories and Human Rights
Tuesday 6 March | 5.30pm, Curtis Auditorium, Hershel Building, Newcastle University
Suitable for young adults and adults
Where do human rights come from? Are they passing figments of the imagination or something more real and enduring? What makes us value them all over the globe and from one generation to the next?
In her 2012 Fickling Lecture, Liberty’s director will draw from some of her favourite children’s writing to argue that these stories may be as potent a force for some funsamental rights and freedoms as political speech and legal doctrine.
Free entry, no pre-booking required. Please note all spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Pegasus with Kate O’Hearn
Saturday 10 March | 11.30am | For ages 8+
From war-torn Olympus to story New York City, mythology and reality collide in a breath taking adventure…
Join Kate O’Hearn, author of the hugely popular Pegasus series, put on a really special event for boys and girls aged 9+, complete with Knights and Princesses in costume! Kate talks about epic adventure, myths, legends and her passion for great stories.
Followed by a public book signing at 12.30pm in the Seven Stories Bookshop
Free event, booking recommended. Admission fee to the centre applies.
Illustrated Mothers Day
Saturday 10 & Sunday 11 March | Drop in all day | For all the family
Make your Mum feel special on the 18 March by making her the perfect Mother’s Day gift. Design and create a very special Mother’s Day card inspired by Anthony Browne’s beautiful picture book, My Mum and Jacqueline Wilson’s Illustrated Mum, or how about creating a unique corsage just like Hetty Feather?
Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies
A Squash and a Squeeze Exhibition Launch Weekend
Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 March | Drop in all day | For all the family
Be the first to squash and squeeze into our brand new exhibition celebrating the work of current Children’s Laureate, Julia Donaldson. Curl up and listen to all your favourite Julia Donaldson stories and make your own Gruffalo paws to take home with you.
Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.
Stories through the Digital Looking Glass
Thursday 22 March | 5.30pm – 8.30pm | Adult and Young Adult
From picture books and graphic novels to ebooks and iPads, words and pictures are on the move.
Where are they taking us? What kind of readers are they begetting? Are we in danger of amusing our selves to death or are ebooks and apps powerful new allies of story and the written word?
Are books being reinvented to create visual and interactive experiences that printed books can not provide? Is story in danger or is digital technology providing a glorious new way to lure children back through the looking glass?
Join a distinguished American panel – educators Shelby Wolf, Shirley Brice Heath and Karen Coates and children’s book historian and critic Leonard Marcus – for a unique transatlantic debate about what is happening today to story, books and reading in and outside the classroom.
Booking essential. £5 / £3.50 concessions. No additional admission fee.
-Please Note: Seven Stories Books is closed for our annual stocktake. Visitor Centre is open as usual. -
April
From Cave Baby to Zog: Easter Holidays at Seven Stories
Saturday 31 March – Sunday 15 April | Drop in all day | For all the family
Toddle Waddle down to Seven Stories for a whole holiday dedicated to Julia Donaldson! Celebrate the launch of Seven Stories brand new exhibition, A Squash and a Squeeze: Sharing Stories with Julia Donaldson, with story times involving all of your favourite characters, plus art and craft activities inspired by Cave Baby and Tyrannosaurus Drip.
Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.
Julia Donaldson BIG Picture
Monday 2, Tuesday 3, Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 April | Drop in all day | For all the family
Step into the deep, dark wood with a life-size drawing of all your favourite characters. Join us as we take over the Creation Station floor to make a collage that all the family can join in with. Old clothes are recommended – things are going to get messy!
Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.
Ruby Nettleship with Thomas Docherty
Saturday 7 April | 11am | For all the family
Join author and illustrator Thomas Docherty for an action packed story time filled with magic ice-lollies, daring adventures and a Big Scary Monster. Using live drawing and giant cardboard props Thomas will perform some of his favourite stories and introduce you to the Snorgh!
Free event, booking recommended. Admission fee to centre applies.
The Gruffalo and Friends with Julia Donaldson
Thursday 12 April | 11am and 2.30pm | For ages 4+
Meet Julia Donaldson, current Children’s Laureate and award-winning author of Room on the Broom, A Squash and a Squeeze and, of course, The Gruffalo! Join Julia for an hour of storytelling, songs and a whole lot of fun.
Followed by a public book signing at 12pm and 3.30pm in the Seven Stories Bookshop
Booking essential. £3 per person in addition to admission fee.
Princess Mirror-Belle with Julia Donaldson
Friday 13 April | 11am | For ages 6+
Ellen gets a shock when her double appears out of the bathroom mirror, only Mirror-Belle is a double with a difference! She is a princess and a very mischievous one at that. Whether she’s wreaking havoc in a department store, riding the ghost train at the fair or seeing off bullies in the playground, Princess Mirror-Belle is a princess with a purpose – to cause as much trouble as possible!
Join Julia Donaldson for a fun-filled event which will entertain princesses big and small this Easter holiday.
Followed by a public book signing in the Seven Stories Bookshop
Booking essential. £3 per person in addition to admission fee.
A Honking and Hooting Dinosaur Weekend
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 April | Drop in all day | For all the family
Have you ever heard of a vegetarian T-Rex? How about a Bucketful of Dinosaurs? Stomp down to Seven Stories to share some scaly tales about your favourite dino characters. Turn yourself into a dinosaur with dino mask making in the Creation Station or create your own dinosaur friend to explore Seven Stories with you. RRROOOAAAAR!
Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.
Dastardly Dinosaur Animation Workshops
Saturday 21 April | 10.30am – 1pm or 2pm – 4.30pm | For ages 8+
Create your own dinosaur drama and work with our animation expert to bring it to life using modeling, collage and stop motion animation! Work in pairs to create a mini-movie with BIG teeth to show all of your friends.
Booking essential. £6 per child which includes admission to the centre. The 2 ½ hour workshop includes a tour of the exhibition. Children must be 8+ and can leave their grown ups at the door. Children will be met at Reception by the course leader.
May
Down on the Farm Weekend
Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 May | Drop in all day | For all the family
Jump in your tractor and find out what the ladybird heard as we go down to the farm for a whole weekend of animal themed stories and activities. From baaaa-rmy sheep to daft dogs and crazy cows, these stories will have you giggling into your wellies. Don’t forget to add your own mini animal models to the Creation Station Farm.
Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.
You, Me and Thing with Karen McCombie
Saturday 12 May | 11am | For Ages 5+
Did you ever expect to make friends with a ‘Thing’? Well you don’t do you! Join best-selling author Karen McCombie as she introduces you to ‘Thing’ and talks about everything to make you go ‘awww’. Karen will answer questions and discuss what her painfully shy eight-year-old self would make of the loud and chatty author that she has become.
Followed by a public book signing in the Seven Stories Bookshop
Free event, booking recommended. Admission fee to the centre applies.
The Late Shows: Beyond the Bookshelf, a night at Seven Stories.
Friday 18 and Saturday 19 May
6.30pm – 11.30pm | For all the family
Come and see what happens at Seven Stories after dark…
Help! Loads of children’s book characters have leapt off the page and we need your help to find them! Quiz your favourite characters about what they get up to when you have your back turned and join in with story times and craft activities with some very familiar faces! With prizes for the best literary costume, Seven Stories is a must stop on your Late Shows tour, who knows who you will bump into!
Free event, no booking recommended.
Meet Jacqueline Wilson
Tuesday 29 May | 6pm | For ages 8+
The Worst Thing About My Sister hits the shelves in February, join Jacqueline to chat about everything that drives you bonkers about your siblings! An exclusive chance to find out about Jacqueline’s characters, how she gets her ideas and be inspired to create your own stories.
Booking essential. £5 per person, includes admission fee. Visitors aged 8+ may attend this event without an adult.
June
Creative Writing Workshop with Keith Gray
Saturday 2 June | 1pm – 3pm | For Adults and Young Adults
This is an exclusive Creative Writing Workshop with Keith Gray, learn about what makes a great book and pick up tips on writing for young adults.
A reluctant reader as a child, Keith Gray turned into a passionate reader and then an award-winning writer for young adults. At 24 his first book Creepers was shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Award, since them he has written numerous critically acclaimed and award winning novels such as Warehouse, The Fearful and Ostrich Boys, which was shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal.
By the end of this workshop you’ll have created your own story idea and you might even have the start of your own best-selling novel.
Booking essential. £6 per person, includes admission fee. Suitable for ages 11+, attendees will be met at Reception by the course leader.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Victorian Extravaganza
Saturday 2 June – Sunday 10 June | Drop in all day | For all the family
Step back in time and celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a difference – a Victorian extravaganza through the eyes of Jacqueline Wilson’s heroine, Hetty Feather! Join in with craft activities, story times and games all inspired by the adventures of this plucky Victorian foundling girl and even sink your teeth into a toffee apple or two!
Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.
Bank Holiday Special: Celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee at Seven Stories
Tuesday 5 June | Drop in all day | For all the family
Dress fit for a King or Queen and celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with all your favourite regal characters, including Princess Mirror-Belle. Listen to right royal story times and make art and crafts perfect for your palace.
Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.
Horrid Henry’s Monster Stories with Francesca Simon
Saturday 16 June | 12pm – 1.30pm | For ages 5+
Scary roars and monster claws at the ready for a hair-raising Horrid Henry event with best-selling author Francesca Simon. Hear extracts from Francesca’s latest books, Horrid Henry’s Monster Movie and be inspired to create a creature of your own. Work with Francesca using shadow puppets and spooky sound effects to create a funny, fang-tastic or frightening puppet show, starring Henry and your creature!
Followed by a public book signing in the Seven Stories Bookshop
Booking essential. £3 per person in addition to admission fee.
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 Lorna Duncanson, Events Officer, T: 0845 271 0777 ext 721 E: lorna.duncanson@sevenstories.org.uk or visit us online at http://www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/hire-and-parties/
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!
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