A puppet company is set to embark on a project aimed at improving language and literacy in under eights.

Oxford's Wild Boor Ideas has launched 'Book Bonding' with funding from Arts Council England.

The initiative centres on a new production, 'The Elves and The Shoemaker', which is set to be performed at Pegasus Theatre between December 11 and 24.

Oxford Mail: Wild Boor Ideas with 'The Elves and The Shoemaker' puppet characters outside Pegasus Theatre in OxfordWild Boor Ideas with 'The Elves and The Shoemaker' puppet characters outside Pegasus Theatre in Oxford (Image: Wild Boor Ideas)

The interactive show will explore different ways to support children’s literacy, exclusion, and belonging through audience participation, songs and comedy.

In the run-up to the performance, there will be family-friendly activities, and the company is collaborating with schools, teachers, and literacy experts to create a picture book version of the show.

There will also be a series of live workshops aimed at families as well as online activities.

Emma Boor of Wild Boor Ideas said: "The idea came through conversations we had with teachers and the County Library Service around our Christmas 2023 production Winnie the Witch.

"There has been research that shows getting children talking drastically improves their reading skills and their well-being.

"One particular primary school teacher Ms Goss observed that ‘We often talk more when we are exposed to strong sensory stimulus, when we see something amazing, touch something amazing, hear something amazing'."

The 'Elves and The Shoemaker' project includes British sign language and Makaton training for performers, tours to special educational needs schools, and several relaxed performances.