Doncaster: Discover the Spirit

Sensational Saturday at Seven Stories

On Saturday, 6th December, a coach-load of excited Doncaster readers arrived at Seven Stories Museum of the Children’s Book in Newcastle, for a fabulous day of fun activities.

The Museum is packed to the rafters with fantastic exhibits and fun things to do, a real treat for book-lovers. To begin with, we split up into two groups, and each was whisked away by the museum staff for their first activity.

My group began with a visit to the ‘Story Lab’, and the unique ‘white-glove’ experience. This is so called because we all had to wear white gloves, so that we could handle the original manuscripts and illustrations without damaging them in any way. The museum staff were incredibly knowledgeable, and really brought the material to life. We saw beautiful, gothic-style illustrations from a fairy story, and heard how the artist used certain techniques to create his other-worldly effects. We were able to look at an original hand-written manuscript by Philip Pullman, and even see his notes to himself and his corrections and scribblings-out, which was proof to our young readers that even the experts have to work hard to get it right! We also saw original versions of football annuals, one complete with a stand-up pitch and players.

We then swapped with the other group and went to the ‘Story Attic’ to listen to Nordic Stories wonderfully told by Donald Campbell, a visiting story teller. He held us all spellbound with his tale of ‘Jimmy Allen’, complete with harmonica-playing and dancing wooden puppet. The attic also has lots of fab dressing up clothes and its own stage, both of which our party used to full advantage!

We had our lunch in the cosy ‘Book Den’ and were then free to roam the building, from the fantastic galleries, featuring the wildwood of ‘Wind in the Willows’ and Pooh Corner, Horrid Henry, Just William - the list is endless! The bookshop was bright and well-stocked, and in the ‘Engine Room’ in the basement were lots of craft activities and things to make and do. Best of all, everywhere around the building were cosy corners and fantastical furniture to sit down and read! By mid-afternoon everyone was exhausted, but happy!

The day was such a success, we hope to do it all again at Easter!

Lyn Hopson

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