New Year began with fairy cakes and silver shells, a special three day workshop dedicated to holiday games, reading, writing and making things with Eleonora, Valentina, Annamaria and Virginia.

On day one we learnt the instant book form and wrote “all about me” stories. Everyone made, wrote and illustrated a little book about themselves. We also read the Gruffalo (1999) by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, that tells the story of a mouse’s walk in the woods.

On day two we made fairy cakes and recipe books, completed with coloured pencil drawings of the cooking process. We read Peace at Last (1980) by Jill Murphy, which tells the story of Mr Bear, who cannot sleep.

On day three we read the Brothers Grimm tale Hansel and Gretel (1812), built sweet houses from suger cubes, and, continuing with the theme of food, made silver jewellery with dried pasta shapes: necklaces, bracelets and rings.

The enthusiastic group of learner-makers were Eleonora and Valentina, aged 8 and 9, and twins Annamaria and Virginia aged 7.