The programme of poetry, fiction, storytelling and talks at the South Bank Centre, London SE1, includes: “After Alice: the construction and deconstruction of childhood in literature”, a series ranging from Peter Pan to Lolita and beyond, in which Blake Morrison, Hermione Lee and other writers are participating. Another highlight is The Sixties (part of the SBC Millennium series) with contributions from Roy Jenkins, Marsha Hunt, Michael Horowitz, Margaret Drabble, Doris Lessing, Nell Dunn and the Liverpool poets. Details: 0171 960 4242.

FROM FEBRUARY 12 MUSIC, ART, TALKS AND WALKS Taking place at Sutton House, the oldest surviving domestic building in the East End,this programme includes: Stephen Gutman, British Contemporary Piano Competition winner, performing works by Bach, Debussy, Bart“k and Ligeti, February 26, March 5, 12, 7.30pm, tickets Pounds 7 per concert, Pounds 18 all three; Indian classical music and European pieces inspired by Indian culture, March 8, 7.30pm, tickets Pounds 6, Pounds 4 concessions; and talks on Elizabethan Hackney and Clerkenwell, past and present, February 12 and 26, 7pm, Pounds 3, Pounds 2 concessions. Details: 0181 986 2264.

FEBRUARY 15-21 THE GREAT EGG-MOBILE COMPETITION Derby Industrial Museum is inviting five- to 16-year-olds to drop in between 10am-12.30pm and 2-4pm and make an “egg-mobile” out of egg carton, cardboard wheels and two pieces of dowel. Sponsored by Technology Teaching Systems of Alfreton, this free competition will be judged in three age categories. Prizes include Lego kits. Details: Sue Christian, 01332 255580.

FEBRUARY 16 WAYS WITH WORDS FEBRUARY 23 MOVEMENT AND WRITING Performance poet and certified movement analyst Carole Burnes brings her Discoveries workshops to the Drill Hall, Chenies Street, London WC1. Experienced and beginning writers welcome. At the second event, she and Katya Bloom, teacher of movement at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, will offer a combination of spontaneous writing and movement exercises exploring the relationship between body and thought. Workshop one costs Pounds 28, Pounds 17.50 concessions; workshop two costs Pounds 38, Pounds 25 concessions. Details: 0171 631 5107.

FEBRUARY 18-19 THE GLEE CLUB: MOTHER GOOSE EXPLODED Stories that didn’t make it into the fairytale books are featured in this children’s show at the Purcell Room, Royal Festival Hall, London SE1, 2.30pm, tickets Pounds 3.50. Nothing agrees - the characters disagree about the plot, and the contents of the buffet car disagree with everybody. On February 17, there is a Grand Union Orchestra family concert at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, 11am, Pounds 5 adults, Pounds 3 children (under fours free), followed by Grand Union workshops at 1pm for children aged seven upwards, comprising rhythm games, and voice and percussion exercises from Africa and Latin America, tickets Pounds 2.50 bookable in advance. Details: 0171 960 4242.

MARCH 1,8,15 TRAINING DAYS FOR WRITERS AND TEACHERS Matthew Sweeney, Philip Gross and other experienced writer-tutors are leading free training days in Bristol, Cumbria, Cambridge, London, Leeds, Derby, Liverpool, Oxford, Chichester and Birmingham. Organised by The National Association of Writers in Education and the Better English Campaign, there are places for ten writers and ten teachers in each group. Topics include: developing well-planned writers’ placements in schools. Details: 01653 618429 (telfax).