thought for the day. .

a place that encompasses the whole life cycle of a book from its conception to its death, the living library will contain a publishing house, specialist archive storage for first edition and of course a library for childrens literature.

in the coming weeks I hope to visit 'seven stories' in newcastle which is the national centre for childrens books, this should hopefully give me an insight into how it is possible for architecture to stimulate children.

Taking its name from the idea that there are seven basic stories but thousands of ways of telling them, Seven Stories celebrates the work of children’s writers and illustrators.

The UK’s only dedicated exhibition space to children’s literature is located in a previously redundant Grade II listed mill, nestling between railway viaducts and until now a neglected river in Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle. The attraction incorporates art commissions, one of which was developed in conjunction with children from nine local schools – The Voyage, a floating boat sculpture moored on the Ouseburn outside the Seven Stories building.

image and italic text pasted from http://www.rics.org/Newsroom/Keyissues/RICSAwards/International/awards_sevenstoriesthecentreforchildrensbooks02062006.htm