Open until 1 January 2024
The Lowry in collaboration with publishers Macmillan Children’s Books and Scholastic, are hosting a new exhibition celebrating the acclaimed partnership between Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, who have created some of the world’s best-loved, and best-selling children’s books, including The Gruffalo, Zog, Room on the Broom, The Smeds and the Smoos, and most recently, The Baddies.
This free family-friendly exhibition features several of Julia Donaldson’s personal writing notebooks; containing the very first ideas and creative thinking behind her picture book stories. These are shown alongside Axel Scheffler’s artwork, showing the process of his illustrations from sketches and works in progress, to full page final illustrations that readers are familiar with seeing in the finished books.
We are thrilled that the Julia and Axel Thirty Years of Favourite Stories has been so incredibly popular. To help manage capacities we are allocating time slots to this FREE exhibition. Please book tickets for each person attending the exhibition including babes in arms.
Artwork by Axel Scheffler. Copyright © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 2023.
Additional information
Opening Hours
To help manage capacities we are allocating time slots to this FREE exhibition.
You can book using the button above . Please book tickets for each person attending the exhibition including babes in arms.
Mon | Closed (except bank holidays)
Tues – Fri | 11am-5pm
Sat – Sun | 10am-5pm
Last entry is at 4.00pm
Planning your visit
Due to capacity, only essential buggies and prams (for children with disabilities and babies who are unable to walk) will be allowed into the Julia & Axel: Thirty Years of Favourite Stories exhibition.
When you are ready to enter the galleries please take your buggies and prams to the free secure buggy park which is available in the South Room opposite Pier Eight bar.
- Baby changing facilities are available throughout the building – please ask a member of staff for assistance.
- Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Groups of 10+ to book tickets email groups@thelowry.com or call 0161 876 2003
- If you have additional needs when visiting the busy exhibition please contact our team
email accessandinterpretation@thelowry.com
or
call 0161 876 2183
or make yourself known to a member of staff.
Free activities throughout the building
Julia and Axel-themed fun is not confined to the Galleries space, with activities taking place throughout The Lowry.
Quotes From Julia and Axel
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.”
About Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Julia Donaldson is the official No.1 bestselling author of 2022, across all books, and Axel Scheffler is the official No.1 bestselling illustrator of 2022 and no story-time is complete without Julia’s perfect read-aloud rhyme and Axel’s unique artwork. Their most recently published book, The Baddies, was the UK’s No.1 Bestselling Picture Book of 2022.
Julia Donaldson is the author of some of the world’ s best-loved children’s books, including the modern classic The Gruffalo, which has sold over 17 million copies worldwide. She also writes fiction, as well as poems, plays and songs – and her brilliant live shows are always in
demand. Julia was the UK Children’s Laureate 2011-13, is a fellow of the Royal Society of
Literature, and in 2019 was honoured with a CBE for services to Literature. www.juliadonaldson.co.uk
Axel Scheffler is a star illustrator whose instantly recognisable, warm and witty illustrations have achieved worldwide acclaim and numerous awards including the inaugural Illustrator of the Year Award at the British Book Awards 2018. Axel’s artwork is exhibited internationally. He supports many charities, including Three Peas, which provides vital support for refugees and receives a £1 donation from every sale of his most recent book, Kind. www.axelscheffler.com
“It was a pleasure to visit The Lowry and view the new exhibition. It was wonderful to see Axel’s original drawings and to revisit my original notebooks. I hope the children who visit will enjoy being inspired to create their own words and pictures.” Julia Donaldson
Smeds and the Smoos Bill Plush
The perfect gift for anyone who enjoyed The Smeds and the Smoos book.
Unique items inspired by exhibitions in The Lowry Galleries.