Unique umbrellas
We all use umbrellas from time to time, mainly to shelter ourselves from rain and sunlight. If I were to design an umbrella, I’d make one that could change colours to match all my clothes.
The word umbrella comes from the Latin word “umbros”, which means shade or shadow.
Did you know that the first waterproof umbrellas were created in China about 3,000 years ago?
Recently, Starchild asked readers to imagine that they were umbrella designers and to design their dream umbrellas.
Here are their designs.
“I’d design an umbrella that has two special buttons for two different functions – one that would fan you when it’s hot, while the other button turns on the heater to make you warm when it’s raining and cold,” says Tan Pei Ler, nine.
Yong Ping Yu, nine writes, “I’d call my umbrella the ‘dream umbrella’. It’d be worn on the head like a hat. It can also become bigger when my friends forget their umbrellas.”
Nine year old Pruti Dhia Darwiya says, “My designer
umbrella would be very helpful as it’d fly me home. I’d like it to have an air conditioner as well. To make it look nicer, I’d add glitter on it.”
Lim Qian Zhi, 11 says that she’d design an unusual umbrella that would benefit different people. “My umbrella would help the police to find criminals. The black button would allow me to see those that are hurt, so that I could help them. Lastly, it would have a green and purple button that would allow me to see the future and the past.”
To show his love for dogs, Marcus Chua, 10, would design an umbrella that is shaped like a dog, “My umbrella would be in different dog shapes and be very colourful.”
“The design of my umbrella would have the shining sun and clouds. I also love candy, so the pole would have a cotton candy scent”, says Oh Wen Sze, nine.
Lim Zu Hong, nine writes, “The umbrellas I designed come in many patterns and colours. They will be used when the sun is shining and when it rains.”
Five-year-old Pearl Valoriyana Kanmanie Jabaraj says, “My umbrella is designed to protect birds from rain or sunshine when they are flying.”
“My two umbrellas are my favourite gifts from my parents. The umbrellas that I design would be given to other kids as presents as well,” says nine year old Dayang.
ITEM: Imagine you are to host a party for your friends or siblings.
Tell us what this party would be like.
Maybe you would have decorations of different colours and sizes or you would cook all kinds of food, bake cakes and make candy. You could also buy them a lot of gifts. What kind of party would you have?
Don’t forget to send us a drawing too.
All letters must include your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below), gender, e-mail, phone number and address. Please write your name behind the drawing and the topic, My Party, on the envelope. All letters must reach us by Aug 3. Send your letters to:
Starchild, c/o Star2
Star Media Group Bhd Menara Star, 15, Jalan 16/11 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
You can also e-mail your contributions to star2@thestar. com.my. Please put “STARCHILD” in the subject line of your e-mail. Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi.