Join award-winning children's writer Wendy Meddour and the Bookworms team for library-themed activities in our magical book-lined outer library.
Find out what makes you special with Howard the Average Gecko.
Understand why being kind to others is so important with Lubna and Pebble.
And learn to love the little things with Tisha and the Blossom.
Suitable for children 4-7 years old (and their adults*).
Cost: FREE but booking is essential.
Wendy grew up in a little seaside town called Aberystwyth. After getting her PhD, she went to teach English Literature at Oxford University, and now teaches creative writing at the University of Exeter. Her debut children’s book, A Hen in the Wardrobe, was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award for ‘Outstanding First Novel’, selected as one of The Guardian’s ‘Best 50 diverse Children’s Books since the 1950s’ and won the John C Laurence Award for ‘improving relations between the races’. Wendy has gone on to become an internationally best-selling children’s writer, with books translated into 18 languages and featured on CBBC Newsround, Cbeebies Bedtime Story and BBC Woman’s Hour. Earlier this year, Wendy was awarded the Margaret Wise Brown Prize for Literature, and one of her latest picture books, Lubna and Pebble (illustrated by Daniel Egneus), was selected by Time Magazine as one of the ‘Best 10 Books of the Year’.
*We ask that parent / carers remain on site during this event, please.
Accessibility Statement: The main entrance to the DEI (facing the Cathedral) has double doors, and is accessible for most wheelchairs. From this entrance there is level access to the foyer, and to the inner and outer libraries. We apologise for the current lack of lift access to the South Range rooms on the second floor.
As we are a small building, parking is limited, but a space can be pre-booked by contacting the office by phone: 01392 274727, or by email: office@devonandexeterinstitution.org. Priority will be given to blue badge holders. The side door into the inner library should be accessible for most wheelchair users reaching the DEI from the driveway, or the front entrance can be reached through the side door at the end of the driveway. Please do contact us if you have any further questions about your route into the DEI.
There are toilets on site, though the nearest fully accessible Changing Places toilet can be found in the Princesshay Shopping Centre, at the back of Nationwide.
The library is usually a quiet space, though can be louder during events. A timetable for events can be found on the website. If you require a quieter space, please ask a member of staff.
If sounded, the fire alarm makes a repeated sound of two tones, and flashing lights will go off in the reading room and the toilets. On an ordinary day, ringing phones and door buzzers might also be heard.
Lighting is soft throughout the building, and may be low in certain areas.
Assistance dogs are welcome, and staff will be happy to provide water for your dog.
Order books:
