Little Tiger-Picture Book Showcase

Armadillo Editor, Louise Ellis-Barrett, kindly offered me the opportunity to attend Little Tiger’s picture book showcase held this past Saturday 13 July.

I took my daughter, 8, who is also a huge picture book fan! We traveled down by train, did a spot of shopping and had lunch then walked to the Discover Children’s Story Centre. First and foremost, if you have young children, this is a brilliant place to while away a few hours. There are so many wonderful, engaging hands on story worlds to explore and opportunities to listen to stories and see immersive exhibits come to life.

As we went through the doors to the Story Worlds, we met some familiar friends. Daughter commented that we should hang our favourite friends in our staircase. Sounds a perfect idea to me!

We climbed to the top floor where the event was taking place and met Charlie and Leilah from Little Tiger, the hosts!

Tracey is a fabulous story teller and Sneaky Beak is a wonderful book. We enjoyed meeting Sneaky Beak and Bear while they rested in the throne, while Daughter made a rocket!

Up next was Barry Timms, author of Where Happiness Lives. I was so busy and enthralled with following along as Barry read his book that I missed the photo opportunity. The book is delightful with cutouts and lift the flaps. Perfect for little readers!

Where Happiness Lives by Barry Timms and Greg Abbott

There is something so mesmerizing about authors reading their own work- they know just where to emphasize, where to pause, where to use a funny voice or sound. It was so lovely to be read to.

After Barry, Leilah welcomed James Carter and Steve to the floor. Steve is a melodica, a keyboard that you blow into. They are completely unique, as is James Carter. A very funny entertainer who played the Doctor Who theme tune and read from his books.

There were opportunities to colour in, chat to the authors and have your books signed and then to wander around the story worlds again. We managed to get tickets to see the immersive Tiger Who Came to Tea exhibit and have the story acted out by an on site storybuilder. What a great job that must be!

There was so much to keep us entertained and it was hard to leave at the end of the day. I can highly recommend it and we will return!

Just a sample of the photos we took and the fun we had while wandering around.

Thank you to Little Tiger, Discover Children’s Story Centre, Leilah and Charlie for hosting such a positive, fun and engaging event.

Highlights of my day were meeting and chatting to Leilah and Charlie, the authors- who were so friendly and welcoming, and meeting a twitter and blog idol of mine, @faeryartemis, lilyandthefae.wordpress.com. It was lovely to make real life connections.