This year, KidsFest runs from January 15th to February 9th with nine international theater productions adapted from best-selling children’s books. It makes for a fun-filled family experience where storybook characters are brought to life and scenes from well-loved books are enacted on stage.
Last week, the girls and I were thrilled to be able to catch the highly anticipated sequel to The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child, at the Drama Centre Theatre in the National Library building.
One cold night, the Gruffalo’s Child ventures into the deep dark wood to find the big bad mouse, the one thing her father is afraid of. Despite her father's warning never to step inside, she is determined to find out if the big bad mouse really exists. On the journey, she encounters the snake, owl, and fox. Just when she thinks she will never find the mouse, she meets the little mouse who previously tricked her father, who then re-creates the big bad mouse by using moonlight to project a magnified and scary shadow, causing the Gruffalo's Child to flee back into the arms of her father.
Coming up in KidsFest 2014
Here is a list of recommended productions for children aged 3 to 8 years old:
The Gruffalo (Jan 22-26)
Mouse managed to scare hungry animals away with stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he imagines? Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep dark wood.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (Jan 23-26)
Join the adventurers on their quest to find a bear; as they wade through swishy swashy grass, the splishy splashy river and thick oozy, squelchy mud
What the Ladybird heard (Jan 21 to Feb 1)
Two crafty robbers with a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. Find out how one tiny ladybird saved the day and join the woolly sheep, the hairy hog, the fat red hen and the dainty dog on a farmyard adventure.
The Boy Who Cried Wolf (Jan 31 to Feb 9)
Inspired by the famous Aesop fable, this is a beautiful wintery tale about a boy, unable to find delight in what is around him and instead seeks adventure, excitement and the thrill of the unknown!
The Snow Dragon (Jan 29 to Feb 2)
Billy has everything a young goat could need. On New Year's Eve, Billy's parents tell him about the legendary Snow Dragon, who will bring him even more goodies during the night. Find out how Billy escapes from the wolves in the woods and if the Snow Dragon gives him a present.
Tickets are on sale now and prices range from $35 to $62. Book them at any SISTIC outlet, official SISTIC website here or call the hotline 6348 5555. For more information on showtimes and other productions recommended for older children, check out KidsFest website and their Facebook page.
Disclosure: We received complimentary tickets to watch the Gruffalo's Child. No monetary compensation was received and all opinions are my own.
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We love to visit libraries but it is not often that we make our way down to the Central Public Library. So, since we were in the building that day, we decided to let the kids hang out at My Tree House, the world’s first green library for kids.
My Tree House is a unique green library purposefully conceptualised, constructed and operated with environmental sustainability in mind. It houses 70,000 where about 30% of these cover green topics including animals, plants, water resources, environment and climate change.
Designed to create an enchanted forest atmosphere, the place takes its name after the centrepiece which is a tree house structure constructed using recyclable materials. It was a weekday evening and we were surprised to see that there was no crowd in the library, which gave us plenty of space and freedom to explore the place.
Don't you just love storybooks and libraries?
The Central Public Library is located at 100 Victoria Street, Singapore 188064. Opening hours are from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm daily.