Julia & Axel: Thirty Years of Favourite Stories at The Lowry

Shekina Rose, Families Editor
Julia & Axel: Thirty years of Favourite Stories
Image courtesy of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 2023.

Julia & Axel: Thirty years of Favourite Stories at The Lowry, Salford 22 July 2023 — 1 January 2024 Entrance is free — Visit now

Throughout the festive season, families are invited to step inside a world of imagination, rhyme, rhythm and delight at the Julia & Axel: Thirty Years of Favourite Stories exhibition at The Lowry.

Enjoy a free, family-friendly exhibition taking you on a remarkable journey into the books and mind of author Julia Donaldson, and illustrator, Axel Scheffler, creators of some of the world’s best-loved and best-selling children’s books, including The GruffaloZogRoom on the Broom, Stickman, The Smeds and the Smoos and The Baddies.

Image courtesy of The Lowry.

Sift through Julia’s personal writing notebooks which contain the very first ideas and creative thinking behind her picture book stories. These will be displayed next to Axel Scheffler’s artwork, highlighting the incredible process of his illustrations, from drafts and sketches to full-page final colour illustrations that you might recognise from the finished books.

Children (and grown-ups) will also have the chance to get creative. Throughout the exhibition there will be lots of fun opportunities inspired by the books themselves: story writing, picture drawing, dress up and playing.

Image courtesy of The Lowry.

Julia Donaldson says: “I am delighted that we are working in partnership with The Lowry on this exhibition and that they are celebrating 30 years of Axel and me working together. It is exciting to be able to share some ‘behind the scenes’ secrets with our young readers and to show what happens before a finished book is in their hands. I hope that it will help them to feel creative and to start writing and illustrating their own stories, so that we have new picture-book creators in the future.”

Axel Scheffler says: “I find it hard to believe that it is 30 years since Julia Donaldson and I did our first picture book together with A Squash and a Squeeze. So much has happened since then and many children have now enjoyed our stories over the years. I am very pleased that The Lowry is hosting this special celebratory exhibition and that it will give families the chance to discover more about my illustrations and Julia’s writing.”

This exhibition is presented by The Lowry in collaboration with publishers Macmillan Children’s Books and Scholastic.

Julia & Axel: Thirty years of Favourite Stories at The Lowry, Salford 22 July 2023 — 1 January 2024 Entrance is free Visit now

What's on at The Lowry

Indestructible at The Lowry
TheatreSalford
Indestructible at The Lowry

Offering an unflinching exploration of gender and power in contemporary arts, this brave and witty performance asks the audience: why is it still so difficult for female artists to succeed?

from £12.00
Performer in Wheelchair lit from behind. Lived Fiction at The Lowry
DanceMediaCityUK
Lived Fiction at The Lowry

Acclaimed and inclusive dance company Stopgap present an evening of stunning movement, breathtaking projection art and evocative audio description.

from £14.50
Moments at The Lowry
TheatreSalford
Moments at The Lowry

Leaders in visual theatre, Theatre Re explore theatre-making magic, the poetry in our everyday and the joys of liveness in their brand-new show.

from £12.00

Where to go near Julia & Axel: Thirty Years of Favourite Stories at The Lowry

Manchester
Gallery
Irwell Sculpture Trail

The 33-mile trail, which follows the River Irwell from Salford Quays all the way to Bacup in Pennine Lancashire, has been around for over a decade, but it’s recently been restored and expanded.

Manchester
Shopping Centre
Lowry Outlet Mall

The Lowry Outlet Mall in The Quays district of Manchester sits opposite both The Lowry and MediaCityUK, Europe’s largest media hub and the home of BBC North.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Central Bay

Central Bay is a new waterfront dining and drinking destination at Quayside MediaCity, opening summer 2023.

The Quays
Restaurant
The Alchemist Mediacity

The latest offering from the UK-conquering Alchemist has an energetic vibe similar to others in this highly-regarded chain of restaurants.

Salford
Uswim
at Salford Quays

Jump into waters of dock 9 at Salford Quays with Uswim, they bring the benefits and freedom of open water swimming to the convenience of a central location.

Manchester
Restaurant
11 Central

11 Central is a new bar and microbrewery launched by local brewing legends SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO at the Central Bay site in Salford.

Ice Rink
Manchester
MCUK Ice Rink
at Media City

Embrace that most Christmassy of activities and get your skates on outside of the chaotic city centre this winter. The Ice Rink at Media City will be serving festive fun till January 5th.

Manchester
Shop
Booths Media City

The Booths branch at Media City, Salford Quays is much appreciated by TV, radio and media executives who work in the area.

What's on: Families

Culture Guides