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.

 

Exhibitions  

 

Moving Stories – Children’s Books from Page to Screen

Until April 2015

 

Developed in partnership with National Media Museum in Bradford, this exciting new exhibition will showcase innovative and influential film and television adaptations inspired by children's books. All areas of the exhibition will focus on different aspects of storytelling and plots and featured stories include Alice in Wonderland, The Gruffalo and The Borrowers as well as fairy tales including Snow White, Cinderella and Shrek.

 

Many rare and intriguing objects will be on display for the first time, offering visitors a rare chance to see manuscripts, illustrations, storyboards, costumes and film footage.  Exhibition highlights include:

 

• Roald Dahl’s original annotated notebooks from Fantastic Mr Fox  – displayed alongside puppet’s from the 2009 film, directed by Wes Anderson

• Original manuscripts and illustrations from The Borrowers and Mr Stink, which were both adapted by the BBC

• A Disney sketch of Snow White taken from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the ground breaking first ever feature film created by Walt Disney Productions in 1937.

 

Like all Seven Stories exhibitions, Moving Stories is playful and interactive, inviting visitors to step into the worlds of film and story on show - ride in Cinderella’s carriage, enjoy stunning original illustrations of Snow White and mix-up your favourite fairy tales to create some hilarious new stories. Pick up a Story Starter Card and engage with this exhibition in a whole new way; dress up, act out your favourite scenes and more!

 

 

Events

 

Moving Stories First Look Tours

Sunday 8 June

1.30pm

 

Seven Stories exhibitions are fascinating. These special tours show the rare treasures from our new exhibition Moving Stories – Children’s Books from Page to Screen. Take part in a white glove experience and handle some of the highlights from the Seven Stories archive and meet our expert team who bring our exhibitions to life and find out more about our collaboration with National Media Museum in Bradford. 

 

These tours are a great opportunity to meet and chat to other people interested in the UK’s vibrant literary heritage for children and a chance to discover how children’s books have been adapted for the big and small screen. Enjoy a classic cream tea in the Seven Stories Café after the tour.

 

Booking essential. £10 per person including admission fee. Includes a cream tea in the café. National Art Card holders and friends of the National Libraries gain free access to our adult tours subject to advance booking and can order a cream tea for after the tour for the discount price of £3.50

 

£7 for Annual Pass Holders

 

Bookworm Babies

Term starts Tuesday 10 June

1pm or 2.30pm

Option for 6 or 12 week course

 

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 books for your baby. Interactive songs and playing with sensory material is 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.

 

£41 for a six week term (includes adult Annual Pass which entitles you to unlimited entry to Seven Stories for whole year)

£15 for a six week term for current Annual Pass holders.  

 

*Author Event* Marshmallows with Martians with Adam and Charlotte Guillain

Saturday 28 June 3.30pm

All the family

 

Meet Adam and Charlotte Guillain, authors of Spaghetti with the Yeti and brand new picture book Marshmallows with Martians. As part of Independent Booksellers Week, Adam and Charlotte will be helping Seven Stories celebrate a love of good books.  Join them to enjoy storytelling, craft activities and song!

 

Free event, booking required. Admission fee to the building still required.

 

July

 

*Author Event* Dinosaur ROAR with Paul Stickland

Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 July

Drop in all day

 

Dinosaurs weak, dinosaurs strong, dinosaurs tall and very, very long are all invited to thunder down to Seven Stories and meet author and illustrator Paul Stickland and celebrate 20 years of Dinosaur Roar!

 

Paul will be taking up residency in our Creation Station for 2 days to create a HUGE art installation inspired by his best-selling book. Add your mark to the dino-display, ask Paul questions and create your own ferocious 3.D T.Rex mask!

 

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

 

Ouseburn Festival starts the summer in style on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July. As part of the festivities, entry to Seven Stories is FREE on Sunday 6 July.

 

Ouseburn Festival

Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July

Drop in all day

 

The Ouseburn Valley is a great place for a family adventure this summer and this weekend is packed full of events for everyone to enjoy. With face-painting, markets, live music and more. Don’t miss the Grand Parade through the valley on Sunday 6 July.

 

Ouseburn Festival starts the summer in style on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 July. As part of the festivities, entry to Seven Stories is FREE on Sunday 6 July.

 

 

Phoenix Comic Takeover!

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July

Drop in all day

 

Would you like to know how to create crazy characters and tell spectacular stories? We’re on it! The Phoenix weekly story comic is brimming with top story tips, just waiting to be uncovered! Call into the Creation Station and meet resident illustrator Adam Murphy, talk about his art and his influences, how comics work and join in some live and interactive comic drawing. Plus head to up to the Artist’s Attic to spin The Wheel of Awesomeness!

 

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

 

 

Scales, Claws and Dinosaur Roars

Saturday 19 July – Sunday 7 September  

Drop in all day

 

To celebrate 20 years of Paul Stickland’s classic picture book Dinosaur Roar, this summer we have seven dino-floors of fun for visitors to enjoy! Our Creation Station has been transformed into a prehistoric landscape, stomp down and add your mark to our HUGE big art installation, hear all your favourite scaly stories and create some more of your own.

 

Come dressed as your favourite dinosaur for the chance to win prizes all summer.

 

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

 

Scaly Trail

Saturday 19 July – Sunday 7 September 

Drop in all day

 

Help - dinosaurs have escaped all over Seven Stories. Follow the trail and help us round them up before they start munching their way through the artwork!

 

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

 

Pop – Up Film School : Adaptation Boot Camp

Monday 21 – Friday 25 July – A five-day filmmaking workshop

10.30am-3.30pm

Suitable for ages 12+

 

Ever wanted to turn your favourite children’s book into a film? Now’s your chance with our amazing Adaptation Bootcamp! Come along and make your own versions of classic tales in this fun – packed workshop where you get to write, shoot and edit your own movie classic…all in five days! Rounded off with a world – premiere screening for family and friends and a copy of your film on DVD, this is a brilliant and inspiring introduction to the world of film making.

 

Booking essential. £125 per person. Admission fee to building is included. Refreshments will be provided but attendees are advised to bring a packed lunch. 

 

Baby Dino Stomp and Roar!  

Friday 25 July, 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 August.

2pm

Suitable for ages 10 months – 3 years

 

Go on a musical story adventure and shake your scaly tale to songs and rhyme. Dance, stomp and roar along to our favourite songs and stories in a super sensory session for babies and grown-ups.

 

Booking essential. £2.50 per child in addition to admission fee. One free accompanying adult per child. Admission fee to centre applies.

 

Dino-Story Party

Monday 28 and Thursday 31 July

10.30am & 2pm

Suitable for Under 5s

 

Everybody loves dinosaurs! Perfect your growl, sharpen your claws and join in with interactive storytimes, songs and games in this event especially for under- fives and their grown-ups. ROOARRR!    

 

Booking essential. £2.50 per child. 1 free accompanying adult per child. Accompanying adult admission fee required.

 

Pop – Up Film : Adaptation Boot Camp

Monday 28th July – Friday 1st August

10.30am-3.30pm

Suitable for ages 8-12

 

Ever wanted to turn your favourite children’s book into a film? Now’s your chance with our amazing Adaptation Bootcamp! Come along and make your own versions of classic tales in this fun – packed workshop where you get to write, shoot and edit your own movie classic…all in five days! Rounded off with a world – premiere screening for family and friends and a copy of your film on DVD, this is a brilliant and inspiring introduction to the world of film making.

 

Booking essential. £125 per person. Admission fee to building is included. Refreshments will be provided but attendees are advised to bring a packed lunch. 

 

August

 

*Author Event* Hugless Douglas with David Melling

Sunday 10 August

1.30pm

 

Hugless Douglas is in need of ‘a big bear hug’. As he goes in search of one, none seem quite right – too small, too short and too uncomfortable. Of course, there’s only one hug that will do – a hug from his mum! Meet award-winning author and illustrator David Melling, find out how he created his adorable character and join in live drawing.

 

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

 

*AUTHOR EVENT* Throne of Glass with Sarah J Maas 

Tuesday 19 August

6pm

 

Meet Sarah J Maas, the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of the Throne of Glass series in an exclusive event for the North East. Join Sarah to discuss everything to do with her phenomenally popular books – from where she gets her ideas, how she gets inspiration for her characters and what might be in store next for assassin Celaena Sardothien.

 

£3 per person, no additional admission fee.

 

September

 

Diane Wynne Jones Conference

Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September

9.30am – 5.30pm

Special guest Ursula Jones! Diana's sister talks about their childhood, her personal recollections of Diana, and the experience of completing Diana's final, unfinished book, The Islands of Chaldea. 

 

Diana Wynne Jones was one of the most outstanding 20th-century writers of British children’s fantasy. She is widely recognised among scholars, writers and fans of science fiction and fantasy as a truly ground-breaking writer who made a significant contribution to the genres in which she operated, and her death in 2011 was deeply mourned.

 

This international conference will celebrate the life of Diana Wynne Jones, and evaluate her contribution to children’s literature, fantasy and science fiction. We are proud to be welcoming Diana's sister, Ursula Jones, who will talk about her sister and about the experience of completing Diana's final, unfinished book, The Islands of Chaldea. ‌‌

 

Other confirmed speakers include Laura Cecil, Diana's literary agent; children's literature scholar Nicholas Tucker, who knew Diana as a child; and scholar and fan Catherine Butler (UWE), author (as Charles Butler) of Four British Fantasists.

 

The conference is hosted by Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children's Books, and by Newcastle University.   Delegates will have the opportunity to explore the Diana Wynne Jones Collection, now housed at Seven Stories, to look back at Diana's life, and to think critically about her work. There will also be an opportunity to explore Seven Stories' exhibitions, including the Moving Stories exhibition - produced in collaboration with the National Media Museum - which includes material on Studio Ghibli's 2004 anime adaptation of Howl's Moving Castle.

 

Scholars and fans of Diana Wynne Jones are all welcome!

 

Conference registration includes both days of the conference and the conference dinner. Thanks to support from the Catherine Cookson Foundation we have been able to extend the student rate to delegates who are not affiliated with an academic institution.

 

Delegates employed by an academic institution: £130.00

Non-academic delegates: £80

Student delegates: £80

Venue: Friday 5 September at Seven Stories, National Centre for Children’s Books

Venue: Saturday 6 September at Newcastle University

To register for this event visit http://conferences.ncl.ac.uk/dwj/

 

FILM SCREENING: Howl’s Moving Castle at Tyneside Cinema

Sunday 7 September

1pm

 

When an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking home.

 

Enjoy this wonderful film together in a relaxed child – friendly atmosphere.

 

Booking essential. £7.50 per person 

 

 

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                                                 £7.00*             £26.00

Child under 4                                    FREE                FREE

Child (4-15)/Concession                   £6.00*             £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

 

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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.