Join Nicci for a lively read-along of this extraordinary picture book, followed by fun word games and creative activities! (For ages 4-7)

What happens when a dictionary decides she wants to tell a story of her very own? A whole lot of word-filled CHAOS!

Join Nicci at Happy Reading Children's Bookshop this October Half Term for a wonderfully imaginative Book Club celebrating The Dictionary Story by Sam Winston and Oliver Jeffers, published by Walker Books.

Nicci will lead a lively read-along of this extraordinary picture book, followed by playful word games and creative activities inspired by its brilliantly mischievous characters!

ABOUT THE DICTIONARY STORY

Dictionary has a problem.

She's absolutely bursting with words, but unlike all the other books on the shelf, she doesn't have a story of her own.

Until one day, she has a brilliant idea...

What if she brings her words to LIFE?

Suddenly, Dictionary's pages are filled with characters and adventures. But when her words begin colliding, everything gets completely muddled, and an enormous tantrum threatens to turn her story upside down!

Can Dictionary and her clever friend Alphabet find a way to restore order before the whole story falls apart?

Bursting with humour, imagination and extraordinary illustrations, The Dictionary Story is a playful celebration of language, creativity and the wonderful possibilities hidden inside books.

Winner of the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Award, this inventive picture book invites readers to discover that even the most ordinary words can become part of an extraordinary adventure!

ABOUT SAM WINSTON & OLIVER JEFFERS

Sam Winston is an artist and author whose imaginative work explores the wonderful world of words, language and storytelling. His creative approach to books combines typography, art and a fascination with how words can shape our imaginations.

Oliver Jeffers is an internationally bestselling author and illustrator whose much-loved picture books include Lost and Found, How to Catch a Star, The Incredible Book Eating Boy and The Day the Crayons Quit, which he illustrated.

Together, Sam and Oliver also created the award-winning picture book A Child of Books, a beautiful celebration of reading and the power of imagination.

In The Dictionary Story, they bring their extraordinary creativity together once again to explore what happens when words take on lives of their own!

AT THIS SPECIAL HALF TERM BOOK CLUB, CHILDREN WILL:

📖 Enjoy a lively, interactive read-along of The Dictionary Story with Nicci

🔤 Meet Dictionary, Alphabet and a wonderfully chaotic collection of words brought to life!

💬 Chat about their favourite words, characters and the funny things that happen when stories get muddled

⏱️ Play a fun alphabet challenge, thinking up as many words as possible beginning with a chosen letter

🎨 Become book designers as they create their very own colourful cover for Dictionary, inspired by the wonderful words and characters hiding inside her pages

✨ Discover how words, pictures and imagination can work together to create extraordinary stories

📚 Every child takes home their very own copy of The Dictionary Story to read, explore and enjoy at home!

Join us for a wonderfully wordy Half Term adventure filled with stories, creativity and a little bit of literary chaos at Happy Reading Children's Bookshop!

Important Information :

Suitable for children aged 4 - 7

Event duration: approx. 30 minutes

Ticket price: £5 per child (includes a paperback copy of the book, usually £10.99)

Booking is essential — spaces are limited!

The bookshop is on the first floor, accessed via a flight of stairs.

Children will sit for the reading, then move to a play/craft table for activities. All materials are provided and age-appropriate.

Adults may stay for the event (limited seating available) or relax with a coffee and pastry downstairs in STAPLE.

If you can’t attend, please let us know so we can offer your space to another family.

Photos may be taken for social media (backs of heads only). Please let us know at the start of the session if you prefer your child not to be included.

📧 Questions? Contact: books@happyreading.uk

Description supplied by the event organiser.