Families in Salford are being invited on a playful literary adventure as The Lowry unveils Wild Things, a brand-new free exhibition celebrating animals in children’s books.
Opening in the Andrew Law Galleries on Saturday 18 July and running through to Sunday 1 November 2026, the exhibition is designed especially for young children and their families, blending storytelling, art and imaginative play.
Bringing together some of the most loved stories of all time, Wild Things will feature classics such as Elmer, Dear Zoo, Owl Babies and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, alongside newer favourites including Time for Bed, Fred!, The Steves and The Great Unicorn Rescue.
Visitors can explore almost 100 original illustrations from celebrated artists including Axel Scheffler, Nick Sharratt, Helen Oxenbury and Rod Campbell, alongside stories by well-known writers such as Julia Donaldson, Michael Rosen, Yasmeen Ismail and Lizzy Stewart.
Designed to encourage reading, creativity and hands-on fun, the exhibition will feature a range of screen-free interactive experiences tailored for under-7s. Highlights include the Bee Calm Spa, Vera’s Veggie Delights Stall and The Furry Wardrobe, where children can dress up as their favourite animals.
Each young visitor will also receive a free specially designed notebook, encouraging them to write and draw their own animal-inspired stories during their visit.
Michael Simpson, Director of Visual Arts at The Lowry, said the exhibition will build on the venue’s recent success with family-friendly showcases. He said: “In Wild Things we will bring together beloved stories and beautiful illustrations, and the exhibition will be a space where families can read, play and create memories together. Full of ants, bears, cats, dogs, elephants, right through to zebras – the animals in these stories are sometimes cute, sometimes scary, sometimes naughty, but always fun.
“We’ve set a high bar at Lowry with our recent free summer exhibitions celebrating the works of legendary authors and illustrators including Quentin Blake and Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler – and we will be pulling out all the stops with Wild Things.”
Alongside the exhibition, families visiting during the school holidays can enjoy additional free activities across the venue. There will also be a stage adaptation of Dear Zoo running at the Quays Theatre from Tuesday 11 to Sunday 16 August 2026.
Wild Things is free to visit and suitable for young children and families.
