CHILDREN and families can step into their favourite stories and explore their daily routines through original artwork and activities at The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven.
Time To Get Up, which opens at the harbourside museum on March 30, gives visitors the chance to explore the quirks, calamities and surprises of their routines and family life through interactive reading and creative experiences.
The exhibition is brought to Whitehaven by the award-winning Seven Stories – the National Centre of Children’s Books – which is one of the leading inclusive cultural venues in the North East.
Elizabeth Kwasnik, The Beacon Museum’s Director, said: “We are delighted to be working with Seven Stories on this project.
“Time To Get Up is a wonderfully rich experience for children of all ages, and the way colour, sound, smell and touch is used to bring their favourite stories to life will make a great family day out.
“The art of storytelling will be central to it all with our very own ‘story characters’ helping children to engage with their surroundings and develop confidence and face life’s challenges.”
The original artwork and manuscripts from well known children’s books will be displayed using innovative interactive picture frames that use touch, smell and sound to stimulate young imaginations. This unique method of curation enables children to explore new, immersive and inclusive ways of engaging directly with the original artwork in the gallery.
Young explorers can journey through a variety of sensory activities, all linked to exciting new experiences and routines that every child encounters.
Kate Edwards, Chief Executive of Seven Stories, said: “The first few years of a child’s life are full of new experiences, and a lot of new routine.
“From getting up to going to bed, reading books together can offer reassurance and encouragement whilst sharing books can also make the everyday exciting.
“Time To Get Up is packed full of wonderful stories all about day-to-day activities. With old favourites and new titles, and amazing artwork by super-talented illustrators, get ready to look, talk, play and read together.”
Time To Get Up is part of the Read North East initiative. Clare Argar, Head of Campaigns and Programmes and the National Literacy Trust, said: “It’s never too early for parents and carers to start sharing stories with their child; just 10 minutes a day is enough to make a difference.
“We hope the Time To Get Up exhibition will encourage more families to make reading part of their daily routine, setting their little ones up for a brighter future.”
The exhibition will launch on Saturday, March 30 with a day of special storytelling sessions, crafts and visits from much-loved characters including Peter Rabbit and the Gruffalo. A special theatrical show entitled Michael’s Magical Menagerie will also run through the day. Time to Get Up runs until June 16.
For more information, telephone 01946 592302 or visit www.thebeacon-whitehaven.co.uk.
Please note that the Copeland Pass expires on March 29 and entry to the museum and this exhibition are chargeable.
