As the National Centre for British Children's Books, we at Seven Stories know all about the importance and value of stories. They are the building blocks of every society and in times of crisis and unrest, they become more important than ever.

Stories can capture our imagination, they can entertain us, inform us, and they can celebrate key moments, actions, or people through the written word. The characters in stories mean different things to different people, and they can also play a role in informing us about the time in which the stories were created.

During the COVID 19 pandemic we want to draw attention to the power of stories and acknowledge the unusual times we are in. We especially want to celebrate all those amazing people, the key workers, who have become our modern-day superheroes. You never know they may become the lead characters of stories in the future. 

We’re delighted to curate our “I’ll Tell You a Story” series which places some of our key workers right at the heart of it. Over the coming weeks listen and watch some of our amazing key workers read their favourite children’s books. They’ll also be joined by many of our supporters who are keen to acknowledge the importance of stories and key workers.

A very special thank you to all of our readers. We hope you enjoy the stories.

#lovereading #supportkeyworkers #sevenstories 

Writer Martyn Waites reads Luna Loves Library Day by Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers as part of our I'll Tell You A Story series.
With kind permission from Andersen Press.

Listen as GP Dr Jonathan Coates reads The Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson and Rebecca Cobb. 
With kind permission from Macmillan Children's Books.

Listen as GP Jonathan Caudle reads Charlie Cook's Favourite Book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
With kind permission from Macmillan Children's Books.

Listen as musician Jon Langford shares an extract from Lewis Carroll's Alice Through the Looking Glass.
With kind permission from Macmillan Children's Books.

Jodie the Postie reading The Great Dog Botton Swap by Peter Bently, illustrations by Mei Matsuoka.
With kind permission from Andersen Press. 

Comedian, entertainer and producer Steve Drayton reading an extract from Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sachar.
With kind permission from Bloomsbury.

Writer Lee Hall reading The Jumblies by Edward Lear

Neil Parsons from Newcastle City Council reading Three Billy Goats Gruff

Alfie Joey reading Jack and the Flumflum Tree by Julia Donaldson with illustrations by David Roberts
With kind permission from Macmillan Children's Group

Musician Peter Brewis reading The Fox and the Cat by The Brothers Grimm

Primary School Teacher Kenny Jamieson reading an extract from The Fire Eaters by David Almond
With kind permission from Hachette Children's Group