Puzzles, performances and stories to captivate young minds
Sharjah International Book Fair is not only about the big literary names. At the heart of the event is an expansive children’s programme, which features more than 400 activities, including workshops and storytelling sessions to theatre performances. On the family-friendly guest list are up to 30 authors, illustrators and performers from the Middle East and beyond. They will be joined by representatives of various Sharjah government entities that will hold sessions for parents on topics such as cyber bullying and accident.
The Magic of Writing
When: Today (10am) Where: Kids’ Hall, Workshop 1
Helping children to explore their imaginations, this session will also feature live entertainment – illustrator and musician AnnMarie Rowland – has a bunch of magic tricks to keep the crowd enthused.
Stories in a Jar
When: Tomorrow (11am) Where: Kids’ Hall, Workshop 1
In this session run by the Lebanese art collective Laboratoire d’Art, children will be encouraged to create their own stories by choosing characters, events and locations. They will then decorate jars with depictions of these tales and will be able to take them home.
Alice and the Mad Hatter
When: Tomorrow (5pm) Where: Kids’ Hall Theatre Expect lots of colour in this zippy half-hour production of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, as Alice wanders into a new world in which she encounters friends and foes.
Machine Design
When: Friday, November 1 (7.45pm)
Where: Kids’ Hall, Workshop 5
In this hands-on affair, children will learn to build a tech gadget from scratch. They will be encouraged to show creativity as they learn about scientific concepts and develop their skills in science, technology, engineering, art and maths. The workshop will be led by a skilled, knowledgeable and fun team from Geek Express, a Lebanese provider of interactive education.
Bradley Fields
When: Friday, November 1 (6.30pm)
Where: Kids’ Hall Theatre
Maths really can be fun. That’s the message illusionist Bradley Fields hopes to convey with his quirky show, which weaves ancient history with mathematical concepts to make sums simple. He’ll also perform some mind-bending tricks to keep youngsters enthralled.
On the agenda are up to 30 family-friendly authors, illustrators and performers from the Middle East and beyond