We are a family of book lovers, my children love their stories and always have at least one before bed every night. We are so very lucky to have Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children's Books right here in Newcastle upon Tyne. We have visited it several times, we like to go each time there is a new exhibition. I mean to get a family pass as they have tons of events on throughout the year that I would love to take the kids to, that is on the list for next year!
http://www.sevenstories.org.uk/
My daughter started school in September, a week behind the other children, so we decided to take advantage of her last few days of freedom and chose to make a trip to Seven Stories on one of them. Through the week when the schools are open, it is lovely and quiet there so perfect for a visit with a toddler. The new exhibition that has just opened is Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts - Enid Blyton. This is just manna from heaven from me as I grew up surrounded by Enid Blyton books full of adventures and wonderful characters. I was more excited than the kids!!
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| Eva in the Magic Faraway Tree |
The exhibition is fabulous, it has enough to keep both children and adults interested. They have a Magic Faraway Tree for the children to play in while the adults browse the pages of Enid Blyton's diaries and see original artwork from her books. There is lots to look and and absorb including films of Enid herself.
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| Luca in Toyland |
We took a trip to Toyland with Noddy and had fun dressing up as Noddy and Big Ears and riding in Noddy's car. Lots of lovely pictures of the characters adorn the walls and give the children lots of things to look at.
Next up was a visit to Mallory Towers, these were some of my very favourite stories when I was younger, I loved reading of the adventures of Darrell and her pals. Eva dressed up as a Mallory Towers girl and I have to say she looked beautiful!
As the name suggests, there are 7 storey's to the building and each floor is full of exciting things to do. The very top of the centre is the Artists Attic which is where they host a lot of their story telling events. There is a lovely big chair as the centre piece surrounded with seats for everyone to listen. They have loads of dressing up clothes up here too with all sorts of characters, including one of our favourites, the Gruffalo! There is a small stage here complete with curtains for performances!! My children did a beautiful rendition of Twinkle Twinkle and it brought a tear to my eye!
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| Artists Attic |
The bottom floor contains The Creation Station and it is always full of craft activities, relating to the various exhibits at the time, it was closed today for us as there was a school visit in but they had set up a table in the Artists Attic with various things on for us to make and colour in.
I think this must be about the 5th time we have visited Seven Stories and we enjoyed it as much as the first time we went. It is fantastic and interactive, no worrying about the kids touching stuff they are not meant to! The staff are lovely and friendly and and the exhibitions change quite regularly. The newest one is 'Tiger, Mog and Pink Rabbit' to celebrate Judith Kerr's 90th birthday. We plan to make at least one more trip this year to attend one of the many Christmas events they have planned, not sure which one yet as there are many! Probably
http://www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on/events/117503/mornings-with-maisy, as this sounds good for both my kids.
Keep up the good work Seven Stories!!
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