Child Workshops

Ready to start making books from your school’s waste paper?

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Making and Storytelling

Waste Paper Books offers bespoke afterschool and home education workshops taking children through the stages of making books from scratch out of waste paper. These can be adapted and tailored to fit individual requirements.

With a PGCE, QTS and Master’s in Children’s Literature, Pip designs workshops that are structured, engaging and aligned with individual outcomes. As a qualified Forest School Leader, sustainability and child-centred learning are central to her approach.

  • The first stage of the process is making the paper! Old paper is collected from around the school and turned into pulp.

    Children learn how paper is broken down and formed into new sheets, gaining practical understanding of recycling, materials and sustainable processes.

  • Marbling is a traditional decorative art in which patterns are created on the surface of water (or a bath) and carefully transferred onto paper.

    During this stage, pupils experiment with colour, pattern and movement to design their own unique book covers, developing creativity, concentration and an appreciation for heritage craft techniques.

  • This is the stage where each child’s book truly comes to life. Pupils are introduced to the traditional pamphlet stitch and guided step-by-step through the fundamentals of hand bookbinding.

    Through this process, they develop precision, patience and an understanding of how books are physically constructed.

  • With their handmade books ready, pupils are inspired to become authors. Through guided creative writing exercises, prompts and collaborative games, children develop ideas, characters and story structure before crafting their own original stories.

    This stage supports literacy skills while building confidence in self-expression.

  • In the final stage, children carefully write and illustrate their stories inside their handmade books. They are introduced to calligraphy pens and explore traditional techniques — including how scribes historically corrected mistakes.

    This thoughtful process encourages attention to detail, resilience and pride in finished work.

  • As part of illustrating their books, children are introduced to lino printing — designing and carving their own images into lino before printing them onto their pages.

    This process creates striking, textured illustrations and helps bring their finished book to life as a fully handmade creation.

Pip holds an enhanced DBS certificate, follows safeguarding procedures and carries full public liability insurance to ensure a safe and professionally delivered programme.

  • "Creative, fun, and professional. The best workshop I've been to."

    Charlie M

    Workshop customer

  • "Excellent afterschool clubs and the children loved it. The books were made in time for World Book Day."

    Mrs Thirlaway

    Headteacher

  • "Pip is making the invitations for my wedding! Her experience and genuine passion for her craft is inspiring."

    Dr. Beccy W

    Workshop customer

  • Hearing the intakes of breath and sighs of satisfaction as the children marveled at their marbling results!

    A parent observer

Let’s Work Together

If you're interested, complete the form with a few details and Pip will get back to you within 48 hours.