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Seven Stories

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on February 7, 2013 at 1:17:13 pm
 

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

 

Regular Events

 

Mini Illustrators

Every Saturday and Sunday

3pm

Ages 5+ 

 

Dip your toe in the world of illustration and explore highlights of our Collection that show how real illustrators make their work. Have a go yourself and try out methods including print making and watercolour painting. For budding illustrators over 5 and their families.

 

Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Seven Stories Story Times

Everyday at 11.30am & 2pm

All the family

More available during busy periods.

 

Everyone enjoys a good story, join our resident storytellers and get involved with a lively storytelling session featuring stories old and new. Be prepared to join in the fun as we share the best picture books with you and your family. 

 

Free event no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies. 

 

Little Story Explorers

Every Monday & Friday

A Squash and a Squeeze Little Story Explorers ends Monday 25 March.

2.30pm

Term Time Only

Under 5s

 

Join our Little Story Explorers for a fun-filled session in our Julia Donaldson exhibition. We’ll show you new ways of looking at artwork together, including original illustrations from The Gruffalo, Tiddler and What the Ladybird Heard. Explore the gallery and join in with an interactive storytime surrounded by your favourite characters!  

 

Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Coming Soon: Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts Little Story Explorers starting Monday 13 May.

 

StoryParty

Every Tuesday from 5 February | 10.30am

Every Thursday from 7 February | 1.30pm

Term time only.

Ages 18 months to 5 years.

 

You are invited to the Story Party!

 

Come and join the fun with your little ones and encourage a love of books that can last a lifetime! You’ll all enjoy our playful approach which is full of sensory activities, stimulating resources, songs and games. We’ll bring the stories to life and give you an exciting and inspiring learning experience which helps to develop listening, language and pre-reading skills, imagination and creativity.

 

Make it a regular slot in your diary, give your children the best start, and discover books which will become part of your family life for years to come!

 

Early booking essential. £2.50 per child. Accompanying adult admission required. Suitable for children 18months to 4 years.

 

 

Exhibitions

 

Coming Soon!

Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts, the Many Adventures of Enid Blyton

Opening Saturday 4 May 2013

 

Enid Blyton is one of the best-selling writers for children of all time, her stories have delighted generation after generation. This exhibition show, for the first time, Seven Stories unique Enid Blyton Collection of original typescripts and illustrations.

 

This is a special opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Enid’s worlds and stories, adventuring with The Famous Five, discovering Toyland with Noddy and escaping to the The Magic Faraway Tree with Silkie and Moonface, all before heading to Green Hedges for tea.

 

Supported by Hodder Children’s Books, Heritage Lottery Fund Enid Blyton Fund for Seven Stories

Also supported by Egmont, Haper Collins and Macmillan.

 

 

Now Showing! 

A Vikings Guide to Deadly Dragons with Cressida Cowell

 

This daring exhibition transports visitors back to the Dark Ages, to a world where Vikings ruled and dragons roamed. Based on Cressida Cowell's popular How to Train Your Dragon series, visitors will explore the Hooligan Viking village with genuine artifacts as well as finding out about the tribe of Hairy Hooligans. With Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third as your guide, discover his island home of Berk, his hunting dragon Toothless and his quest to become a hero the hard way. Explore the wild dragons cliffs, sail on a Viking longship, and share epic yarns in the Great Hall.

 

Supported by Hodder Children’s Books .

 

Last Chance to See!

A Squash and a Squeeze: Sharing Stories with Julia Donaldson Closing Weekend

Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April 2013

 

February

 

Jumblebum with Chae Strathie

Sunday 10 February

11.30am

Ages 5+

 

Johnny thinks that his room has its own special style. But his mum thinks his room is...a MESS! Johnny doesn't care...until all the chaos attracts the terrible Jumblebum Beast! Meet author Chae Strathie and find out if Johnny will end up in the Jumblebum's tum - or can his secret plan save the day?

 

Join Chae, best-selling author of Loon on the Moon and The Tickle Tree, for stories and amazing adventures.  

 

Followed by a public booksigning

 

Free event. Pre-booking advised. Admission charges apply.

Supported by Scholastic Children’s Books 

 

Ransome's Rivals: Arthur Ransome and Children's Literature of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.

Tuesday 12 February

5.30pm

Young Adult and Adult

5.30pm, Seminar Room 152, Robinson Library, Newcastle University

 

Each year Seven Stories works with Newcastle University to bring our Collection to life through a series of thought-provoking lectures for lovers of Children’s Literature.  With respected and knowledgeable speakers these events highlight some of the most important achievements in Children’s Literature and delve into the history of storytelling and children’s books.

 

Free event, no booking required.

 

February Half Term: Into the Wild

Saturday 16 – Sunday 24 February

Drop in all day

All the family

 

Are you feeling brave? Take a walk on the wild side with some beastly story times and craft activities this February Half Term. Jeepers Creepers, a jungle has taken over the Creation Station! Add your favorite collage creature to the trees and make your own animal masks to scare off predators all week. But be warned, you never know what creatures lurk around the corner…

 

Free event, no booking required. Addmission fee to centre applies. 

 

Animal Encounters

Monday 18 and Wednesday 20 February

11am, 1pm & 3pm

All the family

 

Get up close and personal with some amazing animals including Cloud Rats, Meercats, Skunks and Rhonda the Anaconda! Come face-to-face with critters from all around the world and learn about how they live and survive in the wild. 

 

Booking essential. £2 per person in addition to admission fee. 

 

Jungle StoryParty

Tuesday 19 February | 10.30am

Thursday 21 February | 1.30pm

Under 5s

 

Swing down to Seven Stories and go WILD with some of our favourite animal friends. Cheeky monkeys will love to hear stories, play games and sing songs all with a jungle twist.   

 

Early booking essential. £2.50 per child. Accompanying adult admission required. Suitable for children 18months to 4 years.

 

Step into Hiccup’s Viking World

Thursday 21 February

Drop in all day

All the family

 

Vikings friends and foes are hilariously brought to life by the talented drama students from Northumbria University.

 

Meet Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third and journey back in time into his world. See Seven Stories brought to life across all seven floors, and who knows who you will meet along the way?

 

Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Tilly and Friends with Polly Dunbar

Friday 22 February

11am & 1.30pm

Ages 5+

 

Meet best-selling author and illustrator Polly Dunbar for an event full of puppets, drawing and fun!

 

Join Polly as she introduces you to the stars of CBeebies hit new show, Tilly and Friends.  Draw and create characters with Polly, hear stories and maybe get the chance to meet a very special Penguin.

 

Followed by a free public book signing at 12pm and 2.30pm

 

£3 per person in addition to admission fee. One free adult with every child, additional adults £3 each. 

 

Supported by Walker Children’s Books

 

Bookworm Babies

Term begins Tuesday 26 February at 1:30pm or Thursday 28 February at 10:15am Term begins Tuesday 16 April at 1:30pm or Thursday 18 April at 10:30am

Option of a 5 or 10 week course.

Up to 18 months or walking.

 

Join us at Bookworm Babies for imaginative, exploratory play with books for babies. This is a great way to meet new parents and discover the best new baby books. Interactive songs and playing with sensory materials are all part of the fun as we share stories that little ones will love and encourage early childhood development. 

 

Early booking essential to reserve your place on our popular Bookworm Babies sessions.

£38.50 for a five week term (includes an adult annual pass)

£12.50 for a five week term for annual pass holders

 

March

 

Up to Mischief Weekend with Horrid Henry!

Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March

Drop in all day

All the family

 

Join the Purple Hand Gang and get up to mischief with Horrid Henry during this WICKED weekend of storytelling and craft activities with special appearances from Horrid Henry himself! Hear stories full of your favourite mischievous children, create your own cheeky characters in the Creation Station and make rib-tickling wanted posters to catch all your evil enemies.

 

Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Supported by Orion Children’s Books

 

Creation of a Picture Book with Axel Scheffler, Alison Green and Zoë Tucker 

Wednesday 6 March

6.30pm

Young Adults and Adults

 

Join award-winning illustrator Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo, Zog and Superworm alongside prominent publisher, Alison Green from Alison Green Books and Art Director Zoë Tucker for an interactive session to discuss the art of creating picture books.

 

Discover what the day to day life of a best-selling illustrator is like, find out what an editor wants to see and get an exclusive insight into the relationship between an illustrator and their Publishing House.

 

Join Axel, Alison and Zoë in conversation as they discuss what publishers look for and the most effective way to get noticed including in depth hints and tips for the perfect sketch book or portfolio. Don’t miss the chance to have all of your questions answered by two masters of picture book creation.

 

Plus the chance to see Axel’s original illustrations in our popular exhibition A Squash and a Squeeze, Sharing Stories with Julia Donaldson before the exhibition closes on Wednesday 17 April 2013. 

 

£10 per person includes admission fee.

 

Supported by Alison Green Books

 

Marvellous Mums Weekend

Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 March

Drop in all day  

All the family

 

Tell your mum why she is the best by making a unique gift for her this Mother’s Day. Join in with jewellery making, create beautiful brooches inspired by Hetty Feather’s corsages and design and make the perfect Mother’s Day card inspired by My Mum by Anthony Browne. Why not surprise your mum with a delicious slice of cake from the Seven Stories Café! 

 

Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Animal Antics with Guy Parker Rees

Saturday 9 March

11am

Ages 4+

 

Come along for a fun-filled event with 2013 World Book Day Illustrator, Guy Parker-Rees, as he introduces you to his latest books, Tom and Millie’s Great Big Treasure Hunt and Party Time with Littlebob and Plum!  Help him make up a brand new picture book character and create one of your own!

 

Guy Parker-Rees’ exuberant and energetic illustrations have made him a household name and one of today's bestselling children's illustrators. You’ll recognise his work from the worldwide hit, Giraffes Can't Dance – chosen as a 2013 World Book Day title - and the highly acclaimed All Afloat on Noah's Boat.

 

Followed by a free public book signing in the Seven Stories Bookshop at 12pm

 

Free event, booking essential. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Supported by Hachette Children’s Books 

 

Jewellery Making Workshops

Sunday 10th March

11am and 1.30pm

Ages 5+

 

Revamp a favourite item or create something completely new! Design and make your own bespoke jewellery with the help of an expert fair-trade jewellery designer. Fashion a perfect unique gift this Mother’s Day and find out more about jewellery from all over the world.

 

Booking essential. £2 per person in addition to admission fee.

 

"Singularly sensitive to line": The Graphic work of John Lawrence

Wednesday 13 March

5.30pm

Young Adult and Adult

5.30pm, Seminar Room 152, Robinson Library, Newcastle University

 

Each year Seven Stories works with Newcastle University to bring our Collection to life through a series of thought-provoking lectures for lovers of Children’s Literature.  With respected and knowledgeable speakers these events highlight some of the most important achievements in Children’s Literature and delve into the history of storytelling and children’s books.

 

Free event, booking recommended.

 

Cave Baby Messy Play

Saturday 16 & 23 March

Saturday 8 & 15 June

10.30am

Suitable for 6 months – 18 months

 

Babies will love this fun-filled session! Encourage your little Cave Baby to explore making marks and experiment with surprising materials in our event designed for tiny fingers and toes.

 

Booking essential. £2.50 per child. One free accompanying adult per child.  Wash facilities available. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Bears Best Friend 

Sunday 17th March

2pm

Under 5s

 

Bear has lots of friends, but he doesn't have a best friend. Why does everyone have a best friend, except him? As Bear looks and looks, he becomes sadder and sadder. But perhaps his best friend is out there, after all…

 

Bring along your favourite bear and join author Lucy Coats and illustrator Sarah Dyer for a bear-y enjoyable event filled with fun, fur and friendship.

 

Followed by a free public book signing in the Seven Stories Bookshop at 3pm 

 

Free event, booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.

Supported by Bloomsbury

 

I Don’t Like Spiders They Walk on the Sky

Sunday 24 March

Drop in all day

All the family

 

Touchscreen Tales are the creators of a fun animated story app. I Don’t Like Spiders. They Walk on the Sky which has been especially spun to capture the big imaginations of little people. Join in with colouring, sticking and making with the illustrators behind the app.

 

During the day you will be swept along by live reading by Anna Foster who narrates the story whose engaging voice you will recognize from magic1152 and Metro. So come along my delicious dears, there is a whole web of mischief for us to get tangles up in.

 

Free event. Booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Easter Dragon Egg Hunt

Friday 29 March – Monday 1 April

Drop in all day

All the family

 

Calling all Dragon Trainers! A dastardly dragon has snuck into Seven Stories and laid its eggs all over the building and we need your help to find them before they hatch! Join in an egg-hunt with a fiery twist this Easter for the chance to win sizzling prizes. Do you think you know everything about Hiccup and Toothless? Join in with How to Train Your Dragon Bingo and put your knowledge to the test.

 

Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Supported by Hachette Children’s Books

 

Please note Seven Stories is closed Easter Sunday 31 March.

 

April

 

Last Chance to Meet The Gruffalo!

A Squash and A Squeeze, Sharing Stories with Julia Donaldson Final Countdown.

Tuesday 2 – Sunday 14 April 

Drop in all day

 

We are waving a fond farewell to The Gruffalo and friends this week as our popular exhibition, A Squash and a Squeeze, Sharing Stories with Julia Donaldson comes to an end. Take one last stroll in the deep, dark wood and join in with stories, workshops and more as we celebrate everything we love about Julia Donaldson. Things are going to get messy as you add your mark to our BIG picture which has taken over the Creation Station floor!  

 

This popular exhibition has been enjoyed by thousands of visitors since it opened in March 2012. Find out how Julia 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.

 

Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Exhibition supported by Macmillan Children’s Books, Scholastic and Alison Green Books

 

Smartest Giant in Town StoryParty

Tuesday 2 & 9 April | 10.30am

Thursday 4 & 11 April | 1.30pm

 

A great dressing up session for under 5s based on Julia Donaldson’s fantastic picture book The Smartest Giant in Town. Help to tell the stories using props, games and lycra fun, plus make your own crown so you can be the smartest giant in town too!   

 

Early booking essential. £2.50 per child. Accompanying adult admission required. Suitable for children 18months to 4 years.

 

Trolls and Pirates Workshop  Performance

Wednesday 3 April and Monday 8 April

11am

All the family

 

Polish your cutlasses and find Seven Stories on your treasure maps in time for this dramatic story-telling of Julia Donaldson’s The Troll! Join us as the story brought to life, learn some shipshape pirate games and come up with new recipes for the Troll’s cookery book, all led by characters from the book.

 

Booking essential. £3 per child in addition to admission fee, one free accompanying adult per child. £3 per additional adult.

 

Meet Julia Donaldson

Thursday 4 April

12pm

Ages 5+

 

Meet Julia Donaldson, current Children’s Laureate and award-winning author of Room on the Broom, Squash and a Squeeze and The Gruffalo! Join Julia for an hour of storytelling and a whole lot of fun.

 

 

 

 

Followed by a free public book signing at 1.45 

 

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

 

Cave Baby Painting

Saturday 6 & 13 April

Saturday 22 & 29 June

10.30am

Suitable for 18 months+

 

Cave Baby LOVES to paint! Join us with your little Cave Baby to experiment and explore with paints, colour and texture in an event designed to encourage creative play. Help your child create their own pictures that you will treasure forever.

 

Bring along old clothes and a towel, babies and grown-ups are going to get messy! 

 

Booking essential. £2.50 per child. One free accompanying adult per child.  Wash facilities available. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Meet The Gruffalo!

Monday 8 – Sunday 14 April

Drop in all day

All the family

 

The Gruffalo has come to say goodbye! Everyone’s favourite monster is back and making appearance s throughout the building every day. Celebrate the final week of our popular exhibition with the chance to meet the star of the show.

 

Free event, no booking required. Admission charges apply.

 

 

A Squash and a Squeeze Shadow Puppet Family Workshop

Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 April

11am & 1.30pm

All the family

 

Help us squeeze as many animals as we can into this fantastic family workshop celebrating 20 years of A Squash and a Squeeze. Create your own shadow puppet characters based on Julia Donaldson’s first ever picture book and be inspired by original artwork from the book in our popular exhibition; A Squash and a Squeeze, Sharing Stories with Julia Donaldson and work with our resident expert to put on a perfect puppet performance.

 

Booking essential. £2 per person in addition to admission fee.

 

Blown Away by Birds Nest Theatre 

Sunday 14 April

11.30am & 1.30pm

All the family 

 

Get blown away by this magical, theatrical adventure for 3-6 year olds.

 

The wind can whisk you up into the sky and the wind can take you on an adventure!

What if, one windy night a little girl arrives in your bedroom and tells you she’s the wind? Join us as a small boy finds himself swept up and whisked away on an unforgettable journey. Flying through the air with the world so small below them, they feel big, and when you’re big you can do anything at all!

 

Come and feel the wind as it blows you to the top of the world. A beautiful and engaging show with live music, shadow puppetry and movement.

 

Show duration: 40 minutes plus 20 minutes exploratory play afterwards. 

 

Booking essential. £4.50 per person in addition to admission fee.

 

A Squash and a Squeeze, Sharing Stories with Julia Donaldson: LAST DAY

 

“How are we doing, Miss Butler?”: The Children's Literature Collections of the Robinson Library

Wednesday 17 April

5.30pm

Young Adult and Adult

5.30pm, Seminar Room 152, Robinson Library, Newcastle University

 

Each year Seven Stories works with Newcastle University to bring our Collection to life through a series of thought-provoking lectures for lovers of Children’s Literature.  With respected and knowledgeable speakers these events highlight some of the most important achievements in Children’s Literature and delve into the history of storytelling and children’s books.

 

Free event, booking recommended.

 

Baby Boogie Woogie!

Friday 19 & 26 April and Friday 10 & 17 May    

2pm

Suitable for ages 10 months+ 

 

Go on a musical story adventure and get down with a good old baby boogie woogie! Toddle waddle and dance along to our favourite songs and stories in a super sensory session for babies and their grown-ups.   

 

Booking essential. £2 per child in addition to admission fee. One free accompanying adult per child. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

George and the Dragon Weekend

Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 April

Drop in all day

All the family

 

Don’t fancy slaying? Celebrate St George’s Day by learning How to Train Your Dragon instead! Visit a world that Viking’s ruled and  where dragons roamed in our popular exhibition, A Viking’s Guide to Dragons with Cressida Cowell, make your own ferocious friend or fiery foe in the Creation Station before soaring up to the Artist’s Attic to hear tales of courageous knights and deadly dragons.

 

Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

George and the Dragon Family Workshops

Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 April

11am and 1.30pm

All the family

 

Fly down to Seven Stories and work as a family to create your own set of wings that any dragon would be proud of. Hear the story of George and the Dragon and be inspired to transform yourself into a fearsome beast. Show off your dragon creations and meet many more dragons along the way.

 

Booking essential. £2 per person in addition to admission fee.

 

Fickling Lecture on Developments in Children’s Literature.

Thursday 25 April, 5.30pm in the Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building, Newcastle University.

A Promise to Malala – Children’s Literature and Education for All with Sarah Brown, writer and charity campaigner.

Young Adult and Adult

 

Education for All strives to get the 61 million children who are missing out on an education into school, and to reach the 200+ million more in need of education and learning. This lecture will make children’s literature the starting point for the basis of good learning and personal development. It will consider the scope of the campaign, and of the various global activities aimed at providing education for every child by the end of 2015 − the deadline for the UN's Millennium Development Goals including Universal Primary Education.

 

Sarah Brown’s work brings together the worlds of business, philanthropy, social media and charity campaigning.  Sarah provides strategic leadership to worldwide efforts to save and change the lives of women and children. 

 

Free event, no booking is required. All spaces are allocated on a first-come first-served basis.

 

Beast Quest

Sunday 28th April

10.30am, 11.45pm, 1.30pm and 2.45pm

Older Children

 

Calling all valiant knights and questers! Do you have the courage, valor and beast-fighting skills to defend the Kingdom from Marvel’s dark arts? Six mythical beasts are guarding magical golden armour for the evil wizard Marvel. The good wizard Aduro joins us and needs your help to solve cryptic puzzles and free the beasts from Marvel’s evil spell in this interactive event. Are you brave enough to come face-to-face with the fierce Nanook?   

 

Deep in the water lurks a new breed of Beast… Help us to launch Adam Blade’s brand new series, SEA QUEST with exclusive goodies for everyone.

 

Booking essential. £2 per child,  in addition to admission fee, accompanying adults free.

 

Supported by Hodder Children’s Books

 

May

 

"The corner house with the Aesop over the door": William Godwin's Juvenile Library and Publishing for Children in the Early Nineteenth Century'

Wednesday 1 May

5.30pm

Young Adult and Adult

5.30pm, Seminar Room 152, Robinson Library, Newcastle University

 

Each year Seven Stories works with Newcastle University to bring our Collection to life through a series of thought-provoking lectures for lovers of Children’s Literature.  With respected and knowledgeable speakers these events highlight some of the most important achievements in Children’s Literature and delve into the history of storytelling and children’s books.

 

Free event, booking recommended.

 

Enid Blyton First Look Tours

Thursday 9th and Sunday 19th May 

Thursday 6th and Sunday 23rd June

1.30pm

Young Adult and Adult  

 

Did you know that Seven Stories is custodian of a nationally important archive of children’s literature, illustrations and manuscripts including the largest collection of Enid Blyton material in the UK? 

 

Learn about the history of Seven Stories, view rare and unseen treasures from our Collection and take part in a unique ‘white glove’ experience with some of the highlights from Seven Stories’ archive. Meet the expert team who bring the Collection to life, ask questions and find out how we ensure that our illustrations and manuscripts are safe guarded for future generations.

 

These tours are a great opportunity to meet and chat to other people interested in the UK’s vibrant literary heritage over a delicious classic cream tea in the Seven Stories Café directly after the tour.

 

Booking essential. £10 per person including admission fee. £7 for annual pass holders. Includes a cream tea in the café. National Art Card holders and Friends of the National Librariesgain free access to our adult tours subject to advance bookings and can order a cream tea for after the tour for the discount price of £3.50!

 

Each Peach Pear Plum Puppet Performance.

Sunday 12 May

2.30pm

All the family

 

“Tom Thumb’s in the cupboard, Mother Hubbard’s on the stairs, Where are the Three Bears?”

 

Join Puppet Lab as they present their stunning stage adaption of Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s classic picture book, Each Peach Pear Plum. Set in a delightful green meadow with a river running through it, this production is full of music and songs that bring a variety of nursery rhyme puppets to life. We are all on our way for some Plum Pie – we hope you can come too!

 

Show duration: 45 Minutes.

 

Booking essential. £6 per person performance only. Entrance from 2pm free. Before 2pm normal admission applies.

 

Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts: The Late Shows 2013

Friday 17 and Saturday 18 May

6pm – 11pm

Older Children and Adults

 

Go back to a time when ginger beer and ham rolls where for lunch and adventures with lashings of fun were to be had by all. Test your knowledge of The Famous Five, Malory Towers and more in a fun-filled quiz, pick up a treasure map at Reception and join our Famous Five Treasure hunt, meet characters on every floor and see previously unseen material in our brand new exhibition Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts, the Many Adventures of Enid Blyton.

 

Free event, no admission fee required.

 

“Enid Blyton and the Big Red Ledger”

Wednesday 22 May

5.30pm at Seven Stories, National Centre for Children’s Books

Young Adults and Adults  

 

Each year Seven Stories works with Newcastle University to bring our Collection to life through a series of thought-provoking lectures for lovers of Children’s Literature.  With respected and knowledgeable speakers these events highlight some of the most important achievements in Children’s Literature and delve into the history of storytelling and children’s books.

 

Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts, May Half Term

Saturday 25 May – Sunday 2 June

Drop in all day

All the family

 

Discover the great outdoors and have an adventure of your own this May Half Term as we celebrate the launch of our brand new exhibition; Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts, the Many Adventures of Enid Blyton. Learn how to solve the case in code cracking workshops and take your characters on an adventure in an exclusive creative writing workshop with Diverse Voices Winner, Helen Limon.

 

Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Back to Nature Storyparty

Tuesday 28 May | 10.30am

Thursday 30 May | 1.30pm

 

Busy bees and butterflies are invited to go back to nature in a StoryParty dedicated to everything we love about the countryside. Bring the outside in as we share songs, stories and games.

 

Early booking essential. £2.50 per participating child in addition to admission fee. Suitable for ages 18 months to 5 years.

 

Secrets and Spies Code Breaking Workshop

Wednesday 29 May

11am

Older Children

 

Meet Dr Maths, the Evening Chronicle’s expert in code breaking, hidden patterns and magic tricks! Find out how to predict the future using just maths and delve into the secret world of spies and code breaking.  This thrilling workshop will reveal the truth about secret agents and how they uncovered enemy plans, with the chance to write your own secret code.

 

£2 per person in addition to admission fee.

 

Creative Writing Workshop with Helen Limon

Friday 31 May

11.30am and 2pm

Older Children

 

Have you ever want to be a writer? Join Helen Limon, winner of the Frances Lincoln Diverse Voices Award in 2012 for Om Shanti, Babe for an exclusive Creative Writing Master class for budding authors. This is a fantastic opportunity to discover what it is like to be an award-winning author, be inspired to write your own stories with exciting characters and plots and pick up top writing tips. 

 

£6 per person in addition to admission fee.

 

June

 

Illustration Master Class with John Lawrence

Sunday 9 June

9.30am – 4pm

Young Adults and Adults

 

Join award-winning illustrator and wood engraver, John Lawrence for an exclusive illustration master class focusing on his unusual creative techniques. Plus special guest Chris Daunt, the UK’s only block maker.

 

This is an exclusive opportunity for aspiring illustrators to find out more about wood engraving and how John uses this technique to bring children’s books to life. Create your own wood engravings and discover this fascinating art for yourself. John has illustrated more than 200 books, both adult and children. His illustration work covers a range of authors and titles from Shakespeare to Allan Ahlberg and includes the best-selling Watership Down by Richard Adams.  John has recently worked with Philip Pullman producing all the illustrations for Lyra's Oxford and Once Upon a Time in the North.

 

Seven Stories are proud to hold a selection of John’s original material in our Collection, including original line drawings, prints and dummy books.  

 

Booking essential. £35 per person, no addition admission fee required. Includes lunch. Suitable for ages 15 and over.

 

Daring Dads Weekend

Saturday 15 & Sunday 16 June

Drop in all day

All the family

 

Step into a Viking World to make your Dad feel like a hero this Father’s Day. Handle Viking artefacts and weaponry, learn the art of Viking warfare and make a medal to tell him why he is the best! Stoic the Vast is incredibly strong but not very bright leader of the Hairy Hooligan Tribe in the How to Train Your Dragon book series – what kind of Viking would your Dad be?

 

Did you know that Byker has Viking roots and means ‘the town by the swamp’(By Kjerr)

 

Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Viking Warfare Workshop with Archeosoup

Sunday 16 June

Drop in all day

Older Children

 

"The Vikings are coming!”

 

Eowils, the wandering bard has set up camp for the day at Seven Stories. Don't be shy! Come in and hear about life a thousand years ago.

 

Take hold of the past as you handle fascinating artefacts including bone combs, silver coins and exotic amber. Grab a sword and shield, put on your helmet and prepare for battle! Even try some Viking bread.

 

Eowils invites you to have a go, ask questions and learn more about life among the Saxons and Vikings who made Byker and beyond their home!

 

Free event, no booking required. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

How to be a Hero Performance

Sunday 23 June

11am

All the family

 

Enroll in Seven Stories Viking School where you will learn many skills, including dragon training and that it takes to become a hero…the hard way! Follow in Hiccup’s footsteps as we take you an on adventure you won’t forget inspired by the How To Train Your Dragon series.

 

Booking essential. £3 per person in addition to admission fee, one free accompanying adult per child. £3 per additional adult.

 

 

Opening Times

Monday – Saturday                                      10am – 5pm

Sunday and Bank Holidays                           10am – 4pm

 

Please Note: Seven Stories is CLOSED on Easter Sunday – Sunday 31 March.

 

Admission Prices                             Day Ticket      Annual Pass                Buy online!

Adult                                                 £6.50*             £26.00

Child under 4                                    FREE                FREE

Child (4-15)/Concession                   £5.50*             £21.00

Family+                                             £19.00*           £60.00

 

+1 adult and 3 children or 2 adults and 2 children              *Includes Gift Aid donation

Add an additional child to an annual family pass for £10

Admission to Seven Stories Café and Bookshop is free!

 

FREE admission for BLUE PETER badge holders, each badge holder must be under 16, bring their badge and badge winner card and be accompanied by a full price paying adult.

 

Valid NATIONAL ART PASS CARD holders gain FREE admission to Seven Stories. Access to the archive (appointments necessary) is also FREE.

 

MAX CARD holders, adults and children get FREE admission to the centre but charges for special events may apply.

 

Booking information

Online booking now available! Visit www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on or call T: 0845 271 0777 ext 715.

Booking fees are non-refundable unless stated otherwise and are additional to admission charge.

 

Contact Us: Seven Stories, Lime Street, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2PQ.

T: 0845 271 0777 ext 715

E: info@sevenstories.org.uk

W: www.sevenstories.org.uk

 

Follow us

www.facebook.com/7stories

www.twitter.com/7stories

www.twitter.com/7storiesbooks

 

Finding Seven Stories

 

Public Transport

Manors is the nearest Metro Station. Quaylink Q2 bus stops on Cut Bank, a two minute walk away.

 

Parking

Free car parking is available behind Seven Stories, follow signs for Ouseburn Central Car Park on Foundry Lane, NE6 1LH or see the map above.

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