You may not of heard of the writer and illustrator, Lauren Child, but you must have been living in a bubble for the last 10 years if you’re blissfully unaware of her most successful creations, brother and sister double act, Charlie and Lola.

The books and eventual television series are aimed at children in the 3-7 year bracket, but the lovable characters, distinctive, bright graphical format and swirling, humorous text have made the books and the characters massively popular with adults too.

Greendrops and Moonsquirters, (that’s peas and tomatoes, just in case you were wondering!) is a travelling exhibition of Lauren Child’s imaginative work. It’s a hands on, interactive exhibition aimed at under 7’s, where kids can play and explore in some of the characters sets and glue and stick and colour in, dress up in, perform puppet shows and generally behave like a kid . There is also an exhibition of over 40 pieces of Lauren’s original artworks. The exhibition curated and developed by Manchester Art Gallery, last year has been touring the country with visits, so far, to Sheffield, Nottingham, Aberdeen and Hull but you can still catch it at the Seven Stories, The Centre for Children’s Books, Newcastle 13 February 2010 – 21 September 2010

Full event listings:

Saturday 13 – Sunday 21 February
We COMPLETELY love Charlie and Lola Storytimes
11.30am and 2pm

Monday 15 February
Lauren Child Book Signing
2pm – 4pm

Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 February
I am EVER SO VERY GOOD at Making Pictures: Collage Illustration Workshop
(Ages 8+)
10.30am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm

Thursday 18 and Friday 19 February
I Absolutely MUST Make my Pictures Move Now: Animation Workshop
(Ages 8+)
10.30am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm

Friday 19 – Sunday 21 February
Utterly Me, Clarice Bean
Every 30 minutes 1pm – 3pm

By Dave on November 4, 2009