We’re on a mission to build a collection that sparks imagination, represents every child, and celebrates the rich history of children's storytelling, in all its different forms and genres. Here's how we make that happen:
All the stories in the museum collection are identified in consultation with advisors, partners and audiences, including children and young people, story experts, story makers, educators and librarians.
We believe every child should find a mirror or a window in the 1001 stories – something that reflects their world, or opens up a new one. We regularly review the collection and actively seek out underrepresented genres, formats, creators, and places of origin. We listen widely and often, bringing in a diverse mix of voices to help shape decisions – because more perspectives mean better stories.
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to what makes a story great – and that’s the magic of it. To help us decide on what to include we look for patterns in feedback from children, families, and gallery visitors – are lots of people loving the same tale? Equally, a passionate case made by a young person or group (like our Youth Collections Ambassadors or Collections Club) can be a powerful sign of impact. We also use promoter-style scores (e.g., “Would you recommend this story to a friend?”) to help us measure enthusiasm.
We track the history of stories made for children. Our collection also celebrates the roots of storytelling – the journeys, the turning points, the changemakers. We consult experts across literature, education, publishing, and more – to spotlight influential works that may not have wide popular appeal today. We recognise that historical and cultural impact is just as important as current popularity – some stories deserve a place because of how they changed the game, even if they’re less read now.
