Story Cloud

Press Release
26 APRIL 2012

UK’s top children’s authors take part in London 2012 Festival
Discover Children’s Story Centre

Discover Children’s Story Centre the UK’s first children’s museum dedicated to stories has commissioned the leading lights in children’s literature to write twelve original stories for a new digital web application StoryCloud. This free nationwide digital project will reach thousands of children aged 5-8 and their families in their homes, schools and libraries throughout the twelve weeks of London 2012 Festival and beyond. The twelve brand new stories/poems are written by much-loved children's authors/poets including Michael Rosen, Malorie Blackman, David Almond, Philip Ardagh, Jamilla Gavin and Andy Stanton and four from east London children.


Each author/child has recorded their brand new story for StoryCloud and twelve top illustrators have then been commissioned to create digital pictures in response to the stories; including Guy Parker-Rees, Chris Riddell, David Roberts and Sarah McIntyre. Children will be able to listen and read along with the author/child telling the story and then play with the illustrations to discover hidden secrets and surprises. Each story will have tasks to encourage children to create their own stories and drawings in response to the twelve stories. These can then be sent to Discover and a selection will be displayed on an on-line gallery throughout the summer.

Each Monday from the 18 June - 3 September during London Festival 2012, a new story will be released creating a magical on-line library for families throughout the UK.   

Poet, author and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen one of StoryCloud’s contributors said ‘StoryCloud is a fantastic project because it puts stories right where children and their parents and carers can find them really easily. Stories tell us about how people might behave or could behave when faced with dangerous, odd, surprising, scary, funny things. They amuse as they tell us wise things. How good it is to see this project as part of the Cultural Olympiad, bringing children and families together with stories. Love it!’

Discover’s Chief Executive Sally Goldsworthy said ‘Based in Stratford, east London we have watched the Olympic site grow around us, StoryCloud is a brilliant opportunity for children and families throughout the UK to share the magic of stories through a new digital platform.’

StoryCloud (www.storycloud.co.uk) is being created with innovative digital publisher WingedChariot. It will be launched on Monday 18 June by Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson. There will be workshops bringing the project to life in venues around the country including Westfield Stratford City, Westfield London, Westfield Derby and Westfield Merry Hill.

StoryCloud has been commissioned by London 2012 Festival, Westfield and Arts Council England.




StoryCloud Authors and Illustrators

18 June - The Talent Show by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Kristyna Litten
25 June - Down on the Beach by Andy Stanton and illustrated by Adam Stower
2 July - Strange Things Happen by Malorie Blackman and illustrated by Chris Riddell
9 July - Jimmy McArdle’s Stones by David Almond and illustrated by David Roberts
16 July - Down the Plughole by Philip Ardagh and illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
23 July - Ali’s Trousers by Azzad Benkerroum Zaim and illustrated by Carl Pearce
30 July - The Tree at the End of the World by Debi Gliori and illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees
6 August - The Zebra and Cheetah by Semilore Joseph and illustrated by David Melling
13 August - The Hoopoe Bird by Emma King and illustrated by Ross Collins
20 August - The Boy Who Lived on a Pancake by Candy Courlay and illustrated by Deborah Allwright
27 August - The Magic Carpet by Zeynab Abokor and illustrated by Elissa Elwick
3 September – The Day Before by Jamila Gavin and illustrated by Lee Wildish


ENDS


NOTES

For further information about StoryCloud, images and full list of story release dates please contact Racheal Brasier or Tel: 020 8636 5555 Email: racheal.brasier@discover.org.uk

Discover Children’s Story Centre, 383-387 High Street, Stratford, London, E15 4QZ
020 8536 5555
www.discover.org.uk
team@discover.org.uk

London 2012 Festival