Painting Stories

Suitable for: 5-7 years (Key stage 1), 7-11 years (Key stage 2), 11-14 years (Key stage 3)

Sponsored by: The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust

Available braille grades: Grade 1, Grade 2

In this collection Jacqueline Wilson, well-loved children’s author, is our guide on a visit to the National Gallery. She tells us how she is inspired by the paintings and their stories and invites us to share in her delight of these works of art. Members of the gallery staff also describe the paintings and share some of their gallery secrets!This fact book may support subjects in the National Curriculum and is great as an educational resource in class, home-schooling, homework-help, project work, independent learning and reading for pleasure.

The picture book, Dog’s Night by Meredith Hooper, tells us about a special night at the Gallery when the dogs climb out of their paintings and play together. However, one night there is a bit of a muddle and the dogs end up in the wrong pictures. It is fun finding out what happens next! Soundtrack read by Claudia Winkleman

Listen to an audio clip

Over my black jumper I'm wearing a long, sliver necklace. Can you feel the little raised shapes of the beads? Feel down the necklace and find a round pendant hanging from the chain. It's a silver disc with a 'J' for Jacqueline printed on it. My arms are by my sides - using both hands trace down my arms. On the left wrist I'm wearing two huge silver bangles. On the right I'm wearing four smaller silver bracelets. As you might have guessed, I like to wear a lot of jewellery! Trace down over my hands to find some rings on my fingers. They're silver set with big moonstones.

What's inside

A collection of raised tactile pictures.
Audio descriptions with music and sound effects in your chosen format of either CD or USB.
A large print colour image pack.
Guidance notes for parents and teachers to help you make the most of using this book.
An ‘Articles for the Blind’ returns label for the free and convenient return of the box.

Touch to see image list

Dame Jacqueline Wilson, full length portrait
Whistlejacket by George Stubbs, about 1762
The Anatomy of the Horse by George Stubbs, 1756-58
Self Portrait in a Straw Hat by Elisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, after 1872
The Colour Wheel
Surprised! by Henri Rousseau, 1891
Jungle Plants and Trees
The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck, 1434
Two Boys and a Girl Making Music by Jan Molenaer, 1629
Violin and Rommel Pot

And inside the picture book:
Gallery guard and gallery visitor
Dogs climbing into a painting

Subjects

What our members say

Tactile pictures We used the pack to support a trip to the National Gallery and they were a godsend! It gave our VI child a chance to access the pictures and include them in the trip. Library Member

Lovely set As well as literacy the pack was used in other subjects - the horse diagram in science; preparation for meeting a dog in a pets therapy session. The student did have difficulty with the concept of dogs coming alive in a painting. The idea of side views needed additional help but did get to understand that in a side view only one eye and ear could be felt. A lovely set that I would borrow again at a later date. Library Member