Seven Stories
Encyclopedia
Seven Stories the national centre for children's Books in the United Kingdom
is based in the Ouseburn Valley
, Newcastle upon Tyne
, close to the city's newly regenerated quayside
. The centre takes its name from the theory that there are only seven basic plots in literature, and the fact that the renovated Victorian
mill in which it is housed has seven levels.
Seven Stories is the first museum in the UK wholly dedicated to the art of British children’s books.
It has a changing programme of ground breaking exhibitions aimed at both children and adults. Recognised as a national home for children’s literature, Seven Stories brings together original manuscripts and illustrations from some of the nation's best loved children’s books, to excite visitors in an exploration of creativity, literature and art.
Substantial original artwork and manuscripts has been donated to the centre and the collection continues to grow. Jacqueline Wilson
, Terry Jones
, Philip Pullman
and Quentin Blake
are among some of the centre's most distinguished patrons.
Seven Stories curates its own exhibitions, many of which go on to tour nationally including Judith Kerr, Anthony Browne and Jacqueline Wilson. They also provide a range of workshops, visits and resources for schools and education professionals from pre-school to post graduates including the University of Newcastle upon Tyne
with which it jointly hosts a number of PhD studentship
s funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Many children's authors and illustrators visit the centre to run workshops and give talks, including David Almond
, Catherine Rayner, Michael Foreman
, Terry Deary
, Judith Kerr
, Julia Donaldson
and Oliver Jeffers
.
Activities include dressing-up and dramatic fun, creative writing and wordplay, illustration and craft. The museum includes one of the largest independent, specialist children’s bookshops in Britain, with over 50,000 titles.
Seven Stories opened in August 2005 and is the operating name of The Centre for Children's Books, a registered charity
.
Seven Stories celebrated their fifth birthday in August 2010 with an exclusive golden ticket event with popular children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
In September 2010, Seven Stories purchased several original typescripts by Enid Blyton
, making Seven Stories the largest public collector of Blyton material. The purchase was made possible by special funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund
, MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, and two private donations.
It was announced on 23 November 2010 that Seven Stories had been awarded the prestigious Eleanor Farjeon Award
, which is widely considered the highest accolade for services to children’s literature.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
is based in the Ouseburn Valley
Ouseburn Valley
The Ouseburn Valley was a heavily industrialised valley in the East end of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Since then the lower part of the valley has developed into a cultural oasis...
, Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, close to the city's newly regenerated quayside
Quayside
The Quayside is an area along the banks of the River Tyne in Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead in the North East of England, United Kingdom....
. The centre takes its name from the theory that there are only seven basic plots in literature, and the fact that the renovated Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
mill in which it is housed has seven levels.
Seven Stories is the first museum in the UK wholly dedicated to the art of British children’s books.
It has a changing programme of ground breaking exhibitions aimed at both children and adults. Recognised as a national home for children’s literature, Seven Stories brings together original manuscripts and illustrations from some of the nation's best loved children’s books, to excite visitors in an exploration of creativity, literature and art.
Substantial original artwork and manuscripts has been donated to the centre and the collection continues to grow. Jacqueline Wilson
Jacqueline Wilson
Dame Jacqueline Wilson, DBE, FRSL is an award-winning English author, known for her vast and diverse work in children's literature. Her novels have been adapted numerous times for television, and commonly deal with such challenging themes as adoption, divorce and mental illness...
, Terry Jones
Terry Jones
Terence Graham Parry Jones is a Welsh comedian, screenwriter, actor, film director, children's author, popular historian, political commentator, and TV documentary host. He is best known as a member of the Monty Python comedy team....
, Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman
Philip Pullman CBE, FRSL is an English writer from Norwich. He is the best-selling author of several books, most notably his trilogy of fantasy novels, His Dark Materials, and his fictionalised biography of Jesus, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ...
and Quentin Blake
Quentin Blake
Quentin Saxby Blake, CBE, FCSD, RDI, is an English cartoonist, illustrator and children's author, well-known for his collaborations with writer Roald Dahl.-Education:...
are among some of the centre's most distinguished patrons.
Seven Stories curates its own exhibitions, many of which go on to tour nationally including Judith Kerr, Anthony Browne and Jacqueline Wilson. They also provide a range of workshops, visits and resources for schools and education professionals from pre-school to post graduates including the University of Newcastle upon Tyne
University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle University is a major research-intensive university located in Newcastle upon Tyne in the north-east of England. It was established as a School of Medicine and Surgery in 1834 and became the University of Newcastle upon Tyne by an Act of Parliament in August 1963. Newcastle University is...
with which it jointly hosts a number of PhD studentship
Studentship
United StatesIn the US a studentship is similar to a scholarship but involves summer work on a research project. The amount paid to the recipient is normally tax-free, but the recipient is required to fulfill work requirements. Types of studentships vary among universities and countries....
s funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
Many children's authors and illustrators visit the centre to run workshops and give talks, including David Almond
David Almond
David Almond is a British children's writer who has written several novels, each one to critical acclaim.-Early life:Almond was born and raised in Felling and Newcastle in post-industrial North East England and educated at the University of East Anglia, he was born in 1951...
, Catherine Rayner, Michael Foreman
Michael Foreman (author / illustrator)
Michael Foreman is an award-winning British author and illustrator, mainly for children. He lives in London. He is one of the best-known and most prolific writer-illustrators of children's books. He was born and grew up in the seaside village of Pakefield, near Lowestoft, Suffolk, where his mother...
, Terry Deary
Terry Deary
Terry Deary is a children's author now living in Burnhope, County Durham, England.A former actor, theatre-director and drama teacher, Deary says he began writing when he was 29...
, Judith Kerr
Judith Kerr
Judith Kerr is a German-born British writer and illustrator who has created both enduring picture books such as the Mog series and The Tiger Who Came To Tea and acclaimed novels for older children such as the autobiographical When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit which give a child's-eye view of the...
, Julia Donaldson
Julia Donaldson
Julia Catherine Donaldson MBE is an English writer and playwright, best known as author of The Gruffalo and other children's books, many illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Of her 157 published works, 56 are widely available in bookshops...
and Oliver Jeffers
Oliver Jeffers
Oliver Jeffers is an artist, illustrator and writer from Belfast Northern Ireland and now lives and works in Brooklyn. He graduated from the University of Ulster in 2001.-Life and work:...
.
Activities include dressing-up and dramatic fun, creative writing and wordplay, illustration and craft. The museum includes one of the largest independent, specialist children’s bookshops in Britain, with over 50,000 titles.
Seven Stories opened in August 2005 and is the operating name of The Centre for Children's Books, a registered charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
.
Seven Stories celebrated their fifth birthday in August 2010 with an exclusive golden ticket event with popular children’s author Dame Jacqueline Wilson.
In September 2010, Seven Stories purchased several original typescripts by Enid Blyton
Enid Blyton
Enid Blyton was an English children's writer also known as Mary Pollock.Noted for numerous series of books based on recurring characters and designed for different age groups,her books have enjoyed huge success in many parts of the world, and have sold over 600 million copies.One of Blyton's most...
, making Seven Stories the largest public collector of Blyton material. The purchase was made possible by special funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund
Heritage Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund is a fund established in the United Kingdom under the National Lottery etc. Act 1993. The Fund opened for applications in 1994. It uses money raised through the National Lottery to transform and sustain the UK’s heritage...
, MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund, and two private donations.
It was announced on 23 November 2010 that Seven Stories had been awarded the prestigious Eleanor Farjeon Award
Eleanor Farjeon Award
The Eleanor Farjeon Award is made for distinguished service to the world of British children’s books and is given to someone whose commitment and contribution is deemed to be outstanding. Founded in 1966, it is presented annually in memory of the celebrated author Eleanor Farjeon...
, which is widely considered the highest accolade for services to children’s literature.