(AGENPARL) – gio 04 maggio 2023 4 May 2023
The National Theatre releases first children’s picture book, Lola Saves the Show
The National Theatre has collaborated with award-winning publishers Walker Books to create new picture book, Lola Saves the Show. This charming introduction to theatre behind-the-scenes is the first children’s picture book from the National Theatre and will be available to purchase from today, 4 May 2023.
It’s showtime! Lola is a little actor with big dreams. But when disaster strikes on opening night and an important prop goes missing backstage, can Lola save the show in time?
Written by Katherine Halligan and illustrated by Guilherme Karsten, this fun and engaging picture book is for both daytime and bedtime. Packed with backstage drama, laugh-out-loud moments and references to theatre and the departments, it’s the perfect gift for any budding creatives to explore the magical world of drama or little ones that already love the stage.
Katherine Halligan, author of Lola Saves the Show, said:
‘I was thrilled to be able to create a story for the National Theatre, featuring a lovable little goat called Lola. As a massive fan of the National Theatre and a great believer in the enormous value of theatre for children, this was a dream job, and it’s been an immense privilege to work on this book with Guilherme and the brilliant teams at Walker Books and the National Theatre. After such a long time being unable to enjoy our theatres, the release of this book feels especially celebratory and special, as we all return to the joy and magic of live theatre.’
Sarah Corke, Head of Publishing at the National Theatre, said:
‘It’s been really exciting to delve into the backstage world at the National Theatre to create our first children’s book. The theatre is an amazing place to work and visit. We wanted to share some of this magic and show just how many people are involved in putting on a production with the next generation of theatre-makers. We’ve loved working together with Katherine, Guilherme and the Walker Books team to shape Lola’s adventures across the National Theatre building in Lola Saves the Show. The result is better than we could have ever hoped for. We hope young readers consider getting involved in performing at school, in their spare time or experience a play at their local theatre.’
Readers can continue their adventure with Lola on a special Family Tour in celebration of the book, which will take audiences behind-the-scenes of the National Theatre. Featuring lots of locations from Lola Saves the Show, such as the ‘Room of Weird and Wonderful Worlds’, with interactive opportunities for little tour-takers to try on costumes and props. Family Tours will launch on 24 July 2023 in time for the summer holidays and will include the chance to purchase a special gift bundle, including Lola the goat.
Lola Saves the Show is now available from the [National Theatre Bookshop](https://shop.nationaltheatre.org.uk/products/lola-saves-the-show?_pos=1&_sid=7e11561ff&_ss=r).
— ENDS –
Notes to Editors
Images [here](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/x9uih6ricaydry98tt0qg/h?dl=0&rlkey=vexc0dtq177a0nncbn8lsfidg).
Previous titles released by the National Theatre and Walker Books include Fantastic Faces, Play in a Box, and National Theatre: All About Theatre. All available from the [National Theatre Bookshop](https://shop.nationaltheatre.org.uk/collections/national-theatre-books).
Lola Saves the Show
By Katherine Halligan
Illustrated by Guilherme Karsten
Join Lola on her backstage adventure in the first picture book created with the National Theatre.
It’s showtime! Lola is a little actor with big dreams. But when disaster strikes on opening night and an important prop goes missing backstage, can Lola save the show in time? A fun and engaging picture book for both daytime and bedtime, packed with backstage drama and laugh-out-loud moments, with references to theatre roles and departments. The perfect gift for any little one that loves the theatre. This book is ideal for fans of Chris Haughton and Michelle Robinson.
For readers aged: 4+
Publication details:
Format: HardbackSize: 230 x 270 mm
Published: 4 May 2023
Price £12.99
Family Tours at the National Theatre
Take a special guided tour of the National Theatre and discover the secrets of one of the most iconic buildings on the South Bank, to mark the release of the National Theatre’s first picture book, Lola Saves the Show.
Follow Lola the goat’s adventures through backstage spaces of the building. Peek into the Room of Weird and Wonderful Worlds, explore props of all shapes and sizes in the Cupboard of Tasty Treats, and try on a new outfit in the Stupendous Space of Delicious Dresses. The tour will include the chance to visit either the Olivier or Lyttelton theatre, our workshops, wardrobe and props spaces, with interactive opportunities for little tour-takers.
Family Tours will launch from 24 July, especially for the summer holidays. Visitors will also be able to buy a Lola gift bundle from the National Theatre Bookshop – including the Lola Saves the Show book and toy goat – for the discounted price of £19.95.
Tickets and tours information
Times
Family Tours will take place from 24 July until 2 September 2023. Tours will run on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11am–12 noon at the National Theatre.
All guided tours are delivered in English and there are 20 spaces available per tour.
Age guidance: Recommended for all 7–11-year-olds. Please note this tour is not suitable for under-5s.
Prices
Full price, £15
Children (under-18s), £7.50
About Katherine Halligan
Katherine Halligan worked in children’s publishing for many years, writing over 150 novelty, non-fiction and picture books and running the non-fiction list at Nosy Crow. After living in the UK for 20 years, Katherine Halligan recently returned with her family to her native California. HerStory (Nosy Crow) is Katherine Halligan’s highly acclaimed collection of biographies of 50 women and girls who changed the world, illustrated by Sarah Walsh. Other titles include Bang! The Story of How Life on Earth Began, illustrated by Amy Grimes (Walker Books) and Sunday, Funday: An Activity for Every Week of the Year, illustrated by Jesus Verona (Nosy Crow).
About Guilherme Karsten
Guilherme Karsten lives in Blumenau, southern Brazil. In 2010, he won a national contest for new children’s books illustrators, and has been working with editorial illustrations since. His first book, as author and illustrator, Ride, won the honourable mention at the 2017 Serpa International Picturebook Prize (organised by Planeta Tangerina, Portugal).
About Walker Books
Home to books for all ages, Walker Books publishes many award-winning authors, illustrators, and literary franchises including Anthony Horowitz, Angie Thomas, Cassandra Clare, Lucy Cousins, Anthony Browne, Patrick Ness, Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, and Where’s Wally? by Martin Handford. Walker Books is part of the vibrant international Walker Books Group that includes Walker Books Australia; Candlewick Press and Walker Books US in America and Walker Productions.
About the National Theatre
The National Theatre’s mission is to make world-class theatre, for everyone.
The National Theatre creates and shares unforgettable stories with audiences across the UK and around the world. On its own stages, on tour, in schools, on cinema screens and streaming at home, it strives to be accessible, inclusive, and sustainable.
The National Theatre empowers artists and craftspeople to make world-leading work, investing in talent and developing new productions with a wide range of theatre companies at its New Work Department.
Our nation thrives on fresh talent and new ideas, so the National Theatre works with young people and teachers right across the UK through performance, writing and technical programmes to ignite the creativity of the next generation.
Together with communities, the National Theatre creates ambitious works of participatory theatre in deep partnerships that unite theatres and local organisations – showing that nothing brings us together like theatre.
The National Theatre needs your support to shape a bright, creative future. For more information, please visit nationaltheatre.org.uk
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