Seven Stories - The Centre For Children's Books

This new and exciting exhibition at Seven Stories will give a flavour of local award-winning author David Almond’s work. Visitors will explore David’s work from Skellig, his first young adult literary novel published in 1998, through to Jackdaw Summer, published in 2008. David is twice winner of the Whitbread Children’s Novel of the Year Award, and the Carnegie Medal. He has written novels, plays and picture books for children, all of which are influenced by his North Eastern heritage.

David Almond is one of the most acclaimed writers in the North East. Born in Felling, Gateshead, David knew from an early age that he wanted to be a writer and many of his stories are set in and around the North East. Almond’s third children’s novel, Heaven Eyes (2002), is influenced by the local riverscape. The drama takes place in an abandoned warehouse and print works in the Ouseburn Valley. Little did he know that such a warehouse was real and would soon become the home of Seven Stories.

Visitors to Winged Tales of the North will be able to step into Almond’s story and discover the sense of place and imagination in his work. David’s belief in the power of young imaginations will be celebrated and the exhibition will encourage young people to explore their own creativity through words and pictures.

The exhibition will be on display at Seven Stories, the Centre for Children’s Books from 2nd October – 2nd November 2008. Suitable for young people age 8+ with a pre school area dedicated to Kate, the Cat and the Moon.

Skellig
Skellig (1998) was awarded the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Children's Book of the Year Award. In 2007 it was selected by judges of the CILIP Carnegie Medal for children's literature as one of the ten most important children's novels of the past 70 years. Almond found his niche in children’s literature after penning Skellig, a novel which he claims “seemed to write itself”.

It follows the story of Michael, a boy who finds Skellig, a magical human-like creature who has wasted away to almost nothingness in the garage of his new home. Set against the backdrop of his own sister’s grave illness, Michael nurses Skellig back to health, only to embark on a startling journey of discovery, truth and guardian angels in the most unlikely of forms.

This Autum see Skellig the Opera at the Sage Gateshead.
www.thesagegateshead/skellig

Meet David Almond: special author event
4.30pm, Saturday 4 October
Acclaimed writer of bestselling book Skellig, David Almond, has written a new story especially for the Great North Run Cultural Programme. Harry Miller’s Run tells the enchanting tale of a young boy taking part in the Junior Great North Run and his chance encounter with Harry Miller, an old man with a fantastic story to tell.

David Almond will read Harry Miller’s Run at a special event for families and young people at Seven Stories where he’ll also talk about writing for the BUPA Great North Run and his plans for the future.

Suitable for 8-13 year olds, their families and carers. This event is FREE but ticketed - booking is essential Tel: 0845 271 0777 ext 715. Part of the BUPA Great North Run Cultural Programme www.greatnorthrunculture.org