Saturday 18 February – Sunday 26 February

Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books is set to embark on a bear-illiant teddy bear adventure THIS February Half Term as they launch a brand new exhibition inspired by the clawsome world of Bears! in children’s literature.

Opening Saturday 18 February, visitors are invited to bring in their teddy bears from home and take them on a trip around the exhibition to meet children’s book bears old and new. Otto, the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson will guide you through a series of bear-y habitats. Are you brave enough to open the cupboard door in The Bear under the Stairs by Helen Cooper (1993) or will you step into the cave inspired by Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear? by Martin Waddell and Barbara Firth (1988).

There will be plenty of opportunities for you and your bear to cosy up with a great bear-y book, as well as photo opportunities for you and your bear. The Centre, based in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley, will also host a series of grrrrrreat events to keep all ages entertained.

The Bear and the Piano with David Litchfield

Saturday 18 February 11am

One day, Bear finds something very strange in the woods – a piano! Animals come from far and wide to hear him play, and soon his talent takes him all over the world. But he misses his friends and wonders if they still remember him . . . Join winner of 2016’s Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for best illustrated book, David Litchfield for storytelling fun and craft activities!

£3 per person, admission required.

Big Goldilocks and the Three Bears Plus... by Booster Cushion Theatre

Sunday 19^th February 11am

Join Booster Cushion Theatre for a comical retelling of fairy tale classic Goldilocks and the Three Bears uniquely told using a giant book complete with innovative pop ups and props.

Big Goldilocks wanders off from her parents into the forest but soon gets lost, becoming hungry, grumpy and tired.  Stumbling upon a cottage belonging to the Three Bears, Goldilocks helps herself to a big bowl of cereal.  The bears are not happy. It’s up to you the audience to scare her away…

£3 per person, admission required.

Bearspotting with David Roberts and Michelle Robinson

Monday 20 February, 3pm and Tuesday 21 February, 10.30am

Multi award-winning author and illustrator, Michelle Robinson and David Roberts, have joined forces for the first time with the brilliant A Beginner’s Guide to Bearspotting. Bring your own bears along to an event full of games, storytelling, live drawing and practical advice for dealing with a bear encounter!

£7 per child includes a copy of the book Bearspotting and 1 free adult. Additional adults £3. Supported by Bloomsbury Children’s Books.

Northumbria Drama Students present….Bears!

Thursday 23 February and Friday 24 February, 12noon – 5pm

We are paw-leased to welcome back, for the 8th year, our drama student friends from the Drama & Applied Theatre Programme at Northumbria University. Join our resident bears in performance and interaction especially devised for our new exhibition, with pop up performances and mad cap shows. Our bear friends will invite you to join them in the Attic for a special paw-formance that will be ticketed on a first come first served basis on the day.

Suitable for all the family, performance lasts approximately 30 minutes. Events take place throughout the afternoon (arrive early to avoid disappointment). Admission required.

Celebrate the wonderful world of Bears! all week at Seven Stories with clawsome activities and grrrreat storytimes all the family can enjoy. Make your own bear spotting binoculars and see how many you can find, bring your bear from home and design your own story inspired by your teddy bear’s adventure.

For all the latest information on events and visiting Seven Stories see www.sevenstories.org.uk/whats-on

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Media Contact

For images, quotes or interviews contact:

Kathryn Row, Marketing and Programming Manager (until Friday 17 February)

E: Kathryn.row@sevenstories.org.uk

T: 0300 330 1095 ext 209

Stuart Ellis, Marketing and Digital Coordinator

E: stuart.ellis@sevenstories.org.uk

T: 0300 330 1095 ext 223