Half-Term Preview: Living Paintings @ Selfridges

Rachel Holdsworth
By Rachel Holdsworth Last edited 145 months ago
Half-Term Preview: Living Paintings @ Selfridges
From Giraffes Can't Dance illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees
From Giraffes Can't Dance illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees
Cover of Mole's Sunrise by Jeanne Willis
Cover of Mole's Sunrise by Jeanne Willis

If our massive list of things for half-term wasn't enough, we have one more for you: take the kids to experience Living Paintings' tactile and audio storybooks at Selfridges.

Living Paintings started life as a project to help blind and partially sighted adults experience works of arts and has expanded to include Touch to See storybooks for children up to 16. The books contain 'feely' images and audio descriptions to explain what's going on underneath their fingertips. But this next week at Selfridges is for everyone, as authors who've had their books adapted are in store running fun sessions for all the family.

The session times and authors are:

  • Saturday 11 Feb, 11am-1pm: Ross Collins, author and illustrator of Dear Vampa
  • Saturday 11 Feb 2-4pm: Liam Midwood, author of My Life in Rhymes
  • Monday 13 Feb 2-4pm: Jeanne Willis, author of Mole's Sunrise
  • Tuesday 14 Feb 2-4pm: Ian Whybrow, author of Harry & The Robots
  • Wednesday 15 Feb 2-4pm: Guy Parker-Rees, illustrator of Giraffes Can't Dance (note: there will be giraffe dancing)
  • Friday 17 Feb 2-4pm: Angela Wynter: actress and scriptreader of Just Like My Mum

What's even more amazing is that Living Paintings provides its services free to blind and partially sighted people. They're a charity and rely on donations of cash and time. Pop into Oxford Street, see what they do, and maybe you'll be impressed enough to get involved.

Living Paintings is part of the Selfridges Words Words Words season at the Oxford Street store and takes place next week.

Last Updated 09 February 2012