
In partnership with Newcastle’s wonderful Seven Stories, the National Media Museum will host Moving Stories: Children’s Books from Page to Screen from tomorrow until 6 October 2013.
This free exhibition showcases props and other items from films and telly programmes inspired by children’s literature, in addition to objects associated with the books. The unique collaboration between the two national organisations explores the process of adapting children’s literature into on-screen magic.
If you go along, you’ll get to see original manuscripts, storyboards, sketches, costumes and screen footage, and gain a sense of the creative processes involved in adaptations and the different forms they can take.

Look out for Roald Dahl’s original illustrated notebook for Fantastic Mr Fox displayed alongside puppets from the Wes Anderson-directed 2009 film. Marvel at the costumes from Martin Scorsese’s visually opulent Hugo which was adapted from Brian Selznick’s novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret. Pore over original manuscripts and illustrations from The Borrowers (pictured at the top of this post) and Mr Stink (pictured below), which were both adapted by the BBC. A later incarnation of The Borrowers, Studio Ghibli’s The Secret World of Arrietty, will also feature, along with Lost and Found (pictured above), The Gruffelo and others.
You’ll even be able to take a journey with Alice in Wonderland, from Lewis Carroll’s 1858 photograph of Alice Liddell, the girl who inspired the character of his novel, through to various modern film and television versions of this timeless story.
A dedicated section of the exhibition focuses on Fairy Tales such as Snow White and Cinderella, and features Disney story sketches and an early edition copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, as well as a pumpkin coach for children to play in.
“Children’s books have been the inspiration for some of our best films and television and Moving Stories showcases how these stories step off the page and onto the screen,” says Alison Gwynn, Programme Director at Seven Stories, the National Centre For Children’s Books. “We hope to take families on a journey filled with excitement, though worlds of fantasy and ignite their imaginations.”
I think it sounds amazing. Now, where can I find a child to borrow so I can go along?