Naughty pancakes and industrious hens are inviting children to a Kent food hall for free storytelling fun during half-term.

Youngsters can join in with rhymes, listen to stories, and do crafts with early years reading experts Reading Fairy at Macknade Fine Foods in Faversham.

They’ll also be the first to try out Macknade’s new activity sheets, which encourage children to explore new produce and think about where their food comes from.

There will be two free sessions featuring The Runaway Pancake on Tuesday, February 13, and another two the following day for The Little Red Hen.

On both days, there will be a 10am session for babies and toddlers and an 11.15am session for children aged three to six. Sessions run for 45 minutes in the room above the café and there is no need to book – just turn up on the day.

And best of all, pancakes – hopefully not runaway ones – will be on sale in the café to mark Shrove Tuesday.

Emily Guille-Marrett, founder of Reading Fairy, said: “Healthy eating and learning to read are critical to a child's future life chances and well-being. We hope our free events this half term will inspire children to love both good food and stories!"

Rosie Collins, marketing manager for Macknade, added: “Our pancake topping station will be filled with all the classics, plus a few more unusual options from our shop – and there will be a range of foods for the little ones to try in the tasting area so they can broaden their horizons with new flavours.”

Both organisations are key partners of the KM Charity Team, which works with schools to promote child health and wellbeing. Macknade has joined the judging panel for Young Cooks (formerly Kent Cooks), which is now open to entries from youngsters aged 6 to 19 at www.youngcooks.org.uk. Reading Fairy has worked with the children’s charity on its Buster’s Book Club reading reward scheme for schools.

The KM Charity Team’s literacy co-ordinator Kathy Beel said: “I’m actually taking my son to one of the sessions, and another colleague is doing the same. We’ve seen first-hand how Reading Fairy can engage an audience. And there will be pancakes afterwards! What more could you want?”

For further details on Reading Fairy's free half term event, click HERE

Or click HERE to find out about activities at Macknade including weekly Reading Fairy classes for one to five year-olds.