We love children’s books here at Seven Stories and we are thrilled that our friends at cultural venues across the North East are joining in the fun with exhibitions and performances of some of our favourite stories. Cinderella at Tyneside Cinema • From Friday 27 March 2015 You shall go to the ball! Kenneth Branagh directs this dazzling new live action adaptation of the classic fairytale starring Cate Blanchet as Cinder's wicked stepmother and Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother. Wonderfully old-fashioned, Cinderella sees the poor young Ella (Downton Abbey's Lily James) left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother  and stepsisters after her father unexpectedly dies. But a meeting with dashing stranger (Game Of Thrones' Richard Madden) and a kindly beggar woman with a magic touch could make our heroine a shoe-in for a happy ending... BOOK NOW

Varmits at Dance City  •  Wed 8 April 2015 'Varmints' tells the poignant tale of one small creature's struggle to preserve a world in danger of being lost forever. With choreography by B-Boy Wilkie Branson and direction from Sally Cookson, 'Varmints' is a rich visual piece of original dance theatre for young people and their families. Based on the award-winning children's book by Helen Ward with beautiful illustrations by Marc Craste. BOOK NOW

I Believe in Unicorns at Northern Stage  •   Thursday 16 - Saturday 18 April 2015 Tomas didn’t like books or stories. Stories were just for “Little Snotties”. He was happier clambering in the mountains like a goat or tobogganing with his Dad. That was until the Unicorn Lady came to town and reeled him in with her irresistible magic tales. But then disaster struck and put everything that mattered most in Tomas’s life in terrible danger….I Believe in Unicorns is a spellbinding and moving story by one of our greatest storytellers. Theatre Alibi last worked with Michael Morpurgo on Why the Whales Came which ran in the West End to great critical acclaim. BOOK NOW

Picture This Exhibition at The Laing • 20 June - 27 September 2015 This exhibition from the British Library takes a look back at 10 of the most iconic children’s books that have been illustrated and re-illustrated throughout the 20th century. From beautiful and rare first editions to original artwork by the likes of Quentin Blake, Michael Foreman, Peggy Fortnum and Lauren Child, the exhibition revisits much loved stories and characters that have been re-illustrated and reinterpreted for different generations of children. The exhibition reveals, through these unique and changing styles and techniques, a new way in which to appreciate some of the most familiar British children’s books. Find out more. Admission charge applies.

Tiger Who Came to Tea at Theatre Royal • Fri 3 & Sat 4 July 2015 The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger! Following a smash-hit West End season, the tea-guzzling tiger is back on the road in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos! A stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem. Suitable for ages 3+ A musical play adapted and directed by David Wood, based on the book by Judith Kerr. BOOK HERE

The Easter Holidays are the last chance to visit Seven Stories before we close for exciting refurbishment work from Monday 20 April - mid-July 2015. Stay tuned to discover where you can find us as we bring children's books to life across the North East this Spring.