A great thing about local kids is that most of them come to the libraries when school's out and the activities organised by us can be enjoyed. Most of them could be taking advantage of the DEAR promotion to double up on their borrowing too- it feels good to see parents and children come with their big carrier bags to stock up and ensure they have enough reading materials ready for "winter". It's also heart-warming to see families spending quality time together in the cafes attached to our branches. It's the 'feel good' season and I tried to add to the year-end celebrations with some activites in my branch. While there are crowds galore thronging the streets of Orchard Road, "jingle bells" pervading the aisle of NTUCs, and rain whipping down the heartlands, one can enjoy some (relative) quiet time and some festive cheer in the library too. It's nice and toasty inside as compared to the torrential downpour outdoors, and, children love being surrounded by so many other kids inside the children's section.
While there is no snow in Singapore, that does not stop many folks from artificially creating some to add to the mood. I got a spraycan from 'Art Friend' and decorated the publicity stand with it. I could not resist adding 2 santa bears to the stand as well as they looked so cute in their red hats and scarfs. They were also quite cheap at about $3 each. I did up a poster and voila, presto, my stand was set. Now all I could do was hope for some "bites". Later I added a santa hat to the top of the stand but I regretted it a little because I had to snip a small hole at the side of said hat to do so. But I still loved it overall and it served it's function to announce to programmes to the kids. Another thing I did to decorate the 3rd level was request paintings from Minds Towner Gardens. As I did storytelling sessions there before, I once received a token of appreciation in the form of an artwork, and was impressed by the talent shown. The school very kindly loaned me 7 a3 sized paintings and here you can see one of them. I also spraypainted the glass walkways with my left over "snow". I wanted to create something special to promote the J Specials that would be taking place.
Three stories & crafts were done for December and they included: Gingerbread man Ornament, Snowflake Bookmark, and Snowman Card. These are enjoyable yet simple art activities that cater to the very young kids (about 4 years onwards) up to those around 9 or 10 years old. For the Gingerbread man Ornament craft, I was thinking of how much kids love that ageless classic about the cheeky gingerbread man who comes to live but is eaten up in the end. There is also something charming about creating your own creature and pretending it becomes real! Not to mention the fact that I found Jonathan Allen's 'Gingerbread Bunny' to read to them. I love having them guess the surprise behind the flaps! Something was baking in the oven over here, and out popped many versions of "franken-gingerbread" men and women. You can trust kids to create the funniest things. I was joking with one of the boys that he created "gingee shiva" because his' creature had three eyes. Another boy created a 'man' that resembled himself in gingerbread man form. And a very cute small girl came up with a depressed looking gingerbread man. I was very amused. Check out the artwork!
Now, I am gearing up for the next school holiday in June 2011- Something tells me a couple of us will be having the best month ever. Cockle art anyone?
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