Willowwick · Read, wonder, make
A little story circle
You need: these two sheets and pencils. Try it as a family, a pair or a small group. Everyone may speak, point, draw, listen or pass.
1. Listen to a beginning
A bright little leaflet arrived with the post and landed by Toby's half-honey, half-toast. "Our green needs a plan!" read the Mayor's new sheet. "Bring all your ideas to the hall down the street." "A goal!" Rosie cried. "We could practise till tea!" "A garden!" said Maisie. "With a bench by a tree!" "And somewhere for snacks," Toby said. "That sounds best." Pickle kept hoping for crumbs from the rest.
Opening from The Bigger Table · Words by Joshua Hall
2. Notice and wonder
What did Rosie, Maisie or Toby hope for? Choose one idea. What would you like to ask that character?
3. Make a green together
On sheet 2, each person adds an idea for an imaginary village green. It could be a garden, a goal, a snack spot or something surprising.
Can two ideas share the space? Add a path, a quiet corner or different times to play. Leave a patch for an idea you have not had yet.
4. Keep one thing
Choose a detail or a question to remember. Passing is fine. Thank one another for listening.
Make it simpler: draw just one thing or place toys on the green.
Try more: add a sign, a speech bubble or a new visitor’s idea. Your plan is your invention, not a guess at the book’s ending.
Willowwick · Read, wonder, make
Our green has room for…
Make an imaginary village green. Everyone can add one idea. Draw a route between two places and leave room for a thought still to come.
Our village green: draw, label or place toys here.
An idea I heard…
Two ideas could share the space by…
A question we still have…
Bring it to life: the child leads a two-finger walk around the green. The grown-up plays a curious visitor: “What can I do here?” Swap roles and explore again.