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: Wednesday, October 30 (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. Expect an interactive session where children kids will to can learn some a few tips to help them unlock their imaginations.
Stories in a Jar
When: Thursday, October 31 (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 Mad Hatter
When: Thursday, October 31 (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 gadget from scratch. Led by a skilled and fun team of instructors, the aim of the workshop is to inspire imagination through the use of scientific concepts.
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.
For details, see www.sibf.com
