Seven Stories (website link) is only a few miles from me, but I've never had the time to go. Well, today, I made time.

Seven Stories is the UK centre for children's literature and illustration.

It's called Seven Stories, because there are said to be only seven basic plots, and also, the building has seven stories, ranging from the basement in which ideas are formed, up through story workshops, two superb galleries and finally, the artist's attick, which is full of dressing up stuff and story areas and two huge storyteller chairs and a lot of fun and games. A great place for kids who love books, or for adults who love the work that goes into making children's stories, be it the artwork (lots of original artwork and camera-ready artwork on display), the typescripts with editing notes, corrections and crossings out, scrapbooks, sketchbooks, the envelopes they get returned in (there's a few on display) or even telegrams from authors to illustrators thanking them for their artwork.

Included in the collection are handwritten scripts by Roald Dahl, Philip Pullman and JK Rowling. A graphologist would have a field day. Philip Pullman's script is a smooth, careful script with only a few corrections and notes. Roald Dahl's is a fine, spidery, wandering script, and JK Rowling's is a chaotic mess - handwriting that changes size and style, whole chunks crossed out corrected and scribbled over - there's a piece of original art by her too.

One room is upside down. (odd that)

There's also a cafe and a well stocked children's bookshop.

So... if you're up north, near Newcastle, it's certainly worth a visit.

Colin M

Ooh, Colin, that sounds a great place. My sister lives in Durham with two bookworm children, so I'll pass it on - even suggest going en famille when we're next up there.

On a similar note, I see the Roald Dahl museum is up for an award. Haven't made it there yet - it's easier to get to Durham than Great Missenden from my side of London.

Emma

Colin, I agree. Was there at the weekend to see Roger McGough - brilliant!
[url=www.writewords.org.uk/groups/83_63456.asp]Roger McGough Thread[/url]
We saved some of the galleries to do at a later visit but there was a really vibrant atmosphere about the whole place.
Morris Gleitzman's visiting soon - author of Bumface and Two weeks with the Queen - possibly worth a visit for an aspiring children's novelist?
x
tc

<Added>

Bugger that link...anyway, I reported about it in another thread which shouldn't be to hard to find...

Morris Gleitzman's visiting soon

oh bugger, it was today. If I'd only stayed another hour!

Oh shame, Colin! Pity these events aren't more widely publicised - but there is a Seven Stories website if you want to try and keep up with events etc. Might see you threr sometime?!
x
tc

I've been there too, Colin - yes, it is definitely worth a visit! Though not initially easy to find, walking from the centre of Newcastle.

The upside-down room is an interesting idea - I felt they could have done more with it. The handwritten original manuscripts (and the illustrations, of course) are wonderful - brought home to me just how much is (or may be) being lost with the advent of computers.

Actually I particularly liked JK Rowling's scribbled notes for chapters and her drawings.

Frances