Each of the cities will play host to prehistoric playgrounds, featuring more than 50 animatronic dinosaur scenes, including a fearsome, 18m tall T-Rex that breathes and sways its tail as it hunts for prey; an Iguanodon’s furious battle against a Deinonychus; Pterosaurs that screech as they soar through the trees; a 15m tall Brachiosaurus, guarding her eggs and a 16m long Diplodocus, who cries out to passers-by.

And for those who want to relax after walking the perilous path through the dinosaurs’ domain, a refreshment area will offer street food.

Naz Kabir, spokesperson for Jurassic Encounter, says: “Dinosaurs have always captured the imagination of children and adults alike, and Jurassic Encounter will be a fantastic, interactive way to learn more about these fascinating creatures. We can’t wait to welcome our guests – and our Prehistoric visitors – to parks up and down the UK this year.”

The tour begins at Grovelands Park in London at the start of the summer holidays (every day from 24 July – 10 Aug) before moving to Birmingham Botanical Gardens (21 Aug – 5 Sep), Glasgow Cuningar Loop (2-17 Oct) and Leeds Roundhay Park (23 Oct – 7 Nov).

Ticket prices start at £11.50 and advanced booking is advised, although walk-ups will be admitted, subject to availability.

A special, early-bird discount is available by entering the code EARLYBIRD20 at the checkout before the end of May.

Online prices:

Adult £13.50
Child £11.50 Concession £12.50 Group Ticket £11.50 Family Ticket £44.00

On the door prices:
Adult £15.00
Child £13.00
Concession £14.00
Group Ticket £13.00
Family Ticket £50.00

VENUES

• LONDON #jurassiclondon
  24 July – 10 August
  Grovelands Park, The Bourne, London N14 6RA
• BIRMINGHAM
  21 August – 5 September
  Birmingham Botanic Garden Westbourne Road, Edgbourne, Birmingham B15 3TR
• GLASGOW
  2 – 17 October
  Cuningar Loop, Sunnybank Street, Glasgow G40 4RX
• LEEDS
  23 October – 7 November
  Roundhay Park, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 2HH

The Littlest Yak, a joyous, rhyming caper that teaches little ones to celebrate their own unique talents, follows the journey of Gertie, the littlest yak in the whole herd. Feeling like she’s stuck in her smallness, bursting to grow up big and tall, Gertie soon learns there are things only she can do, and her smallness can do something big after all. This is a heart-warming and uplifting story from fledgling author, Lu Fraser and much-loved illustrator, Kate Hindley.

Lu Fraser is an exciting new voice in children’s books. Based in Hampshire where she lives with her husband and daughter, Fraser draws on everyday inspiration for her stories. Writing from a small shed in her garden, she revealed that the character of Gertie came to life as she spent time with her daughter.

Bristol based, award-winning illustrator Kate Hindley is the much-loved illustrator of both picture books (including the award-winning You Must Bring a Hat, written by Simon Philip) and fiction (The Royal Rabbits of London, written by Santa Montefiore and Simon Sebag Montefiore), as well as the author-illustrator of new board book series, Treacle Street.

Speaking about her book, Lu Fraser said: “This story means a huge amount to me, I put my heart into it as it felt like a really important message to remind children, and grown-ups, that we all have bigness inside”

“It is the most tremendous honour, and I can’t thank the judges enough for choosing our book, The Littlest Yak, to be the winner of Oscar’s Book Prize 2021”

On her illustrations, Kate Hindley said: “Cheers to Lu for writing such a brilliant debut text. It was such a pleasure to illustrate.”

“I’m absolutely delighted and flabbergasted to hear our wee Gertie has won Oscar’s Book Prize. Thank you very, very much.”

HRH Princess Beatrice, the award’s Patron since 2017, announced this year’s winner via video message, on the Oscar’s Book Prize website and streamed on the prize’s YouTube channel. Speaking about the winning book, HRH Princess Beatrice said, “This is a beautiful book, and the winners should be so proud of everything they’ve achieved in pulling together this beautiful story”.

The winning book, praised by the judging panel, is available to buy on Amazon.

Oscar’s Book Prize is awarded in memory of Oscar Ashton, who loved children’s stories and died aged three-and-a-half of an undetected heart condition. This year, the prize received the highest number of entries in its eight-year history with 143 submissions from children’s writers and illustrators from across the UK. To recognise and reward the vital work by early-years authors and illustrators in encouraging young children to read, this year’s prize fund doubled in size.

The announcement also included endorsements from fellow judge’s TV presenters Lorraine Kelly and Angellica Bell, animator & illustrator Axel Scheffler, Simon Johnson, Director, Amazon EU Books and Viveka Alvestrand and James Ashton, founders of the award and Oscar’s parents.

Axel Scheffler said: “The story of The Littlest Yak is very touching and encouraging for anybody small. Rather crazy furry creatures live within a mountainous backdrop scenery that is, in spite of the reduced colour scheme, always lively and engaging. The little bird and snow marmot add to the amusement. A lot of fun with a lovely message.“

Lorraine Kelly said: “Despite some incredible competition, this heart-warming book grabbed me right from the first page. Featuring a wonderful, relatable character, the story is told beautifully through clever, zippy rhymes and gorgeous illustrations. There’s so much to talk about with its lovely message too – realising that however much we might wish to change something about ourselves, actually everyone is perfect, just as they are.”

Angellica Bell said: “This is such a cute story about wanting to quickly grow up to be an adult, something I used to dream about when I was a child – and with hindsight it’s about enjoying the moment and not wishing time away! But the real message I took away from this book is the lesson that we are all perfect just the way we are in our own individual ways!”

Director of Amazon EU Books, Simon Johnson said: “Whether you are the littlest, or just feel like you are, this is a brilliant story to really get involved with. We loved this book in my family – heart-warming, beautifully illustrated, and I think it dealt really well with conversations about feeling different.”

Reflecting on lockdown with her daughter, Anna developed the Cheeky Monsters into five unique characters and brought them to life through a series of plush toys, books and a growing educational YouTube channel. Each monster takes inspiration from day-to-day creative play and Flori, for example Rocky Road Racer is based upon Anna’s daughter pretending to drive the car from the back seat on family road trips, or Violet named after Flori’s favourite colour.

Cheeky Monsters became the imaginary friends at Anna’s kitchen table, out in the garden and exploring outside. At times, Anna found teaching Flori at home a lonely experience, however the imagination and creativity which the Cheeky Monsters encouraged helped break up the day. “What would Drago do?” became a familiar question, as Drago, the most curious and inquisitive of the monsters helped with home science experiments.

As a Mum of a pre-schooler, Anna wanted to ensure Cheeky Monster’s is an inclusive brand for everyone, and that’s why the idea of Cheeky Monsters comes from the premise that “Everyone has a Cheeky Monster. Which one are you?” – everyone is celebrated with Cheeky Monsters. The most important thing is that children are encouraged to use their imagination, be silly, and cheeky in the best sense of the word and have fun.

Looking after our world is also a key focus for Cheeky Monsters, who have a ‘tidy up parade’ when litter collecting in the park. “Naughty litter bugs” are the nemesis of the Cheeky Monsters and recycling is an important aspect for the brand, cardboard boxes which the Cheeky Monster products arrive in have dual use and colouring in activities are provided with every purchase. The website is packed full of free games and activities and each storybook end with a prompt to getting creative at home, whether that’s instructions for how to build a bug hotel or rocket ship.

Anna worked for The Walt Disney Company for more than 12 years in London, before relocating to rural Wales and starting Cheeky Monsters – making her dream a reality.

Staged in the outdoor splendour of Syon Park over the first weekend following the lifting of all lockdown protocols, The London Classic Car Show (25-27 June) will revive spirits, reawaken passions and reignite businesses with a glittering display of highly-evocative motoring history.

Now further fuelling the pre-show anticipation and revving up the excitement, the capital’s premier celebration of car culture has confirmed today (Thursday) the addition of the ever-popular Preview Evening on Thursday 24 June, and a limited number of prized Premium Experience Tickets are now on public sale.

Priced in advance at £75, these tickets will not only give visitors an exclusive preview of the entire show, staged as the summer sun sets, but will also offer full VIP access and hospitality.

The coveted experience includes priority onsite parking, complimentary Lanyard and Show Guide and two free drinks as well as full use of the Premium Lounge bar for free teas and coffees. A bespoke food service is also available within Premium Lounge.

Moreover, all those attending the glitzy Preview Evening will be invited to a very special ‘Audience with’ hosted by a high-profile celebrity guest at the event’s alfresco Talks Theatre.

“With consumer confidence returning and so much pent-up desire, we have been encouraged to add an opening night Preview Evening as a wonderful curtain-raiser to what’s obviously going to be a very, very welcome The London Classic Car Show,” enthused Mark Woolley, Show Director.

“It’s hard to imagine a better way to celebrate longed-for freedoms than by spending a warm sunny summer evening in the stunning setting of Syon Park surrounded by like-minded enthusiasts and more than 500 of the world’s finest classic cars.”

When the gates open at 4pm, those attending the Preview Evening will be the first to savour The London Classic Car Show’s central theme, ‘The Evolution of Design’, which will be celebrating the entire 135 years of automotive innovation from the very first pioneers right up to the latest supercars – the evocative classics of tomorrow.

Adding to the sense of occasion, these dazzling displays will be further enhanced by eye-catching tributes to milestones in both Bugatti and Lancia histories as well as an unmissable showcase to honour 60 years of the legendary Jaguar E-type, the much-loved British sixties icon hailed as the ‘most beautiful car in the world’ by none-other than Enzo Ferrari.

For potential buyers there will also be the first opportunity to explore the 120 stand-out cars from yesteryear coming under the Classic Car Auctions (CCA) hammer later in the weekend. Also the first chance to purchase from the many specialist dealers and accessory traders exhibiting at the show.

Full details of the Preview Evening festivities can be found on the official theclassiccarshowuk.com website alongside links to all ticket buying options. As in 2020, adult admission to the three-day show is available in advance from £25 (£30 on the day).

Providing further reassurance for all ticket buyers, full refunds (excluding booking and transaction fees) will still be offered should the show be cancelled as a result of Covid-19.

theclassiccarshowuk.com

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