seven stories

Seven Stories, the national centre for children’s books, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, has been nominated by the public for the prestigious Kids in Museums Family Friendly Award. The Kids in Museums Family Friendly Museum Award is the biggest museum award in Britain. It's the only award judged by visitors giving them a huge voice in saying which is the most welcoming museum for families.

The award was launched by poet and broadcaster Michael Rosen in October 2011 and has received nominations from the visiting public from across the country. Seven Stories was delighted to learn that it is included in the long list after public nominations.

Michael Rosen, patron of Seven Stories describing it as: 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.”

The award long-list will be announced in February 2012 in The Telegraph Newspaper with the winner announced in April 2012. Previous winners from the North East include leading and innovative family friendly venues with Killhope Mining Museum winning the very first award in 2004 and The Great North Museum shortlisted in 2010

Kate Edwards, Chief Executive of Seven Stories said:

We are delighted that our work to make Seven Stories as family friendly as possible has been recognised by this public nomination. As the only gallery in the UK dedicated to children’s literature we want to make sure that our young visitors and their families have a really enjoyable and memorable visit.

Dea Birkett, Director of Kids in Museums said:

The winner could be a museum where toddlers can dress up as Henry VIII as if they were in a Holbein painting, or which has workshops for teenager, letting them Warholize their own image in the pop art. It could be a one-room gallery with a few objects or a mighty museum stuffed with national treasures. It’s up to readers and visitors to say why it’s especially welcoming to families.”

Kids in Museums last week announced their Kids In Museums 2012 Manifesto of which Seven Stories is a supporter. The manifesto is compiled entirely from visitors’ comments. It’s a practical and powerful tool to encourage and support museums and galleries around the country to be as welcoming as possible for children, young people and family visitors.

Seven Stories is the national centre for children’s books based in the Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne. It strives to be family friendly as possible offering initiatives such as FREE admission for under 4s, half price admission between 3-5pm on week days in term time, flexible Annual Passes to suit different family groups and visitors, and a lively programme of events, exhibitions and activities to celebrate children’s books and promote reading for pleasure for all ages.

Our current exhibitions are Through the Magic Mirror: the World of Anthony Browne until 29 February and Daydreams and Diaries: the Story of Jacqueline Wilson until September 2012 alongside an inspiring events programme for all ages.  The forthcoming exhibition A Squash and a Squeeze: Sharing Stories with Julia Donaldson which opens on 17 March 2012 will be the third concurrent Seven Stories exhibition with current or former Children’s Laureates, as Anthony Browne held the position between 2009-11 and Jacqueline Wilson 2005-7.

Seven Stories is based on Lime Street, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle upon Tyne. It is open Monday – Saturday 10am-5pm and Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am-4pm. Admission charges are £5.50 for a child (under 4s FREE), £6.50 for an adult and £19 for a family with a range of annual passes available. Half price admission is available 3-5pm on weekdays in term times. See www.sevenstories.org.uk for more information.

Seven Stories, the national centre for children’s books (founded 1996) Seven Stories is Britain’s home for children’s literature. It champions the art of children’s books to ensure its place as an integral part of childhood and of our national cultural life.

Until Seven Stories was founded in 1996 there was no place in the UK that championed the art form or its young audience – it is the only gallery dedicated to children’s literature in the UK and one of just a few in the world. Its founders were pioneering in their approach to addressing this cultural void and ambitious in their decision to locate it in the Northeast; a region with lower levels of childhood aspiration and committed to the societal benefits of cultural investment.  

Seven Stories is housed in a specially converted Victorian warehouse in Newcastle upon Tyne. Arts Council England and Newcastle City Council regularly fund Seven Stories’ work, giving children’s literature status and a national home and establishing new ways of engaging young audiences.

Since opening Seven Stories has:

• Attracted 422,000 visitors to its centre and over 678,000 visitors to touring exhibitions.
• Worked with 71,000 school children, 19,000 children and adults through outreach projects and 2000 professionals through professional development courses.
• Developed one of the largest modern children’s literature Collections in Britain, including nationally and internationally significant holdings representing work of over 90 authors and illustrators, including David Almond, Philip Pullman, Michael Rosen, Edward Ardizzone, Judith Kerr, Enid Blyton, and Shirley Hughes.
• Won many accolades, including the prestigious Eleanor Farjeon Award in 2010 for its outstanding contribution to children’s literature.
• Seven Stories has been nominated for the prestigious 2011 Kids in Museums Family Friendly awards