Seven Stories

I visited Seven Stories, the National centre for children's books.

Seven Stories is located in Newcastle and, as the name suggests, features seven floors of children's literature and illustrations, from classics like Paddington Bear to shiny new talents like Benji Davies.

I saw an advert for Seven Stories online and realised that I'd never been, despite it being so close to home. I was visiting my brother in Newcastle that same week. I wanted to check this place out. 

I had my doubts about the museum, worrying that it would be entirely child focused and that we would find it boring, but Seven Stories really left an impression on me.

http://www.sevenstories.org.uk/

(Photo taken by James Paylor)

WHAT AN AMAZING PLACE! I had a fantastic time visiting Seven Stories. 

The staff were extremely helpful and friendly, they didn't judge us at all for having no child in-tow and we felt free to enjoy the building as we liked.

The entire building was beautifully curated and so visually stimulating. Illustrations lined the walls, scenes were set out at every story point. Visitors are encouraged to experience the books by reading them inside these artificial landscapes and performing as the characters in the inventive costumes dotted around the place.

I had lots of fun trying on costumes and exploring the stories. This sense of interaction is something that I felt was missing in Quentin Blake's House of Illustration, and something that sets Seven Stories apart from any other gallery or museum I have visited.

I think that it accurately reflects the magic of picture books. Not just art, hanging on a wall for viewers to look at, but a story for visitors to be a part of, as readers.

The museum brings stories to life in an interactive format that any child would enjoy, as well as some big kids like myself.

I'd love to contribute to Seven Stories; I'd like to read stories, curate the displays or even see my books in Seven Stories some day. This is what excites me about the future of picture books and about the artistic community that I am joining, we are creative and we are actively doing things to make this world a better place.