Don't miss this year's family fun at the Singapore Writers Festival; join workshops, meet your favourite authors, enjoy a pirate party and much more.
The Singapore Writers Festival is back! If, like us, you love reading books to your toddler, or rediscovering favourite children’s novels with your children – or just love all things literary – you’ll be just as excited to hear about all of the fun festival events kicking off from 30th October! Now in its 18th year, SWF is bringing the world of books and writing to more people than ever, and there’s so much for families to choose from. Expect fun talks, storybooks such as Where the Wild Things Are brought to life (did you know that the original book was almost banned back in the day?), and workshops aimed at every age and interest level. So whether your child is an avid bookworm, has a love for stories but not so much for reading, or is a moody teen obsessed with the world of romantic young adult fiction, the SWF3 (SWF for Families) has something for the whole family.
Events will be taking place at great locations such as the Asian Civilisation Museum and National Gallery, with ‘Island of Dreams’ as the festival theme. HoneyKids has put together its top picks from SWF for families – see you there!
Meet your favourite authors
Want to introduce your kids to the amazing authors and illustrators who create favourite fantasy worlds and characters? This year’s festival features award-winning authors galore for younger kids including Chris Haughton (author of one of our favourites, A Bit Lost, who will also be introducing his new title, Shh! We Have a Plan), Malaysian illustrator and children’s book author Emila Yusof and Singapore-based author of the Purple Paws series, Sarah Mounsey. Check out the SWF full program for details for when and where your kid’s literary hero will be appearing, and bring along copies of the book for them to sign! (Grab your copies from the SWF3 pop-up bookstore at Asian Civilisation Museum!)
Tales in a different tongue
What better way to celebrate multicultural Singapore than with these lively events that prove language doesn’t have to be a barrier when it comes to a great story. All of these events are free, bilingual (each will be narrated in a Mother Tongue language and English) and will be taking place at the Asian Civilisations Museum.
- Listen to three traditional myths set in Singapore and narrated in Malay by storyteller Adib Kosnan in the Stories About Us (1st Nov, 3:30pm to 4pm)
- Grace Kalai will be reading Jalebis And Flying Trees in Tamil. (7th Nov, 3pm to 3:30pm)
- Author and illustrator Ah Guo will take the kids on a Picture Book Picnic in Mandarin (31st October, 1pm to 2pm)
Stuff for the ‘too-cool-for-school’ older kids
Brand new to this year’s line-up is a series of events aimed at teens and tweens, starring young-adult authors Rachel Hartman (fantasy fiction sensation and author of Seraphina), and Singapore author Joyce Chng (urban fantasy and science fiction writer whose fiction has appeared in the likes of The Apex Book of World SF II). Thought-provoking panel discussions will kick-start those teen brains into debate mode, with topics such as Romance in Young Adult novels and the Dark Side of Writing, which are sure to engage young minds.
For a more serious, but intriguing event for teens, make sure you check out How Dark Is Too Dark… Young adults age 13 and upwards will delve into issues such as social pressure, body image and bullying and looking at these subjects in the context of YA literature. Paro Anand (one of India’s top writers for children and author of the acclaimed novel, Wingless) and Whiti Hereaka (award-winning author of Bugs and The Graphologist’s Apprentice) discuss YA fiction as a safe space to explore dangerous topics.
If chatting is really not your tween’s thing, this event is sure to suit even the quietest of kids… Silent Dreams! This mime workshop will introduce kids to essential miming techniques before allowing them to create their own short sequence. Participants use their own body, face and actions to portray dreams and the surprising transformations that can happen in the mind. Your tween may just resort to acting out their demands courtesy of the talented Gophi Nathan, who started learning mime with HI! Theatre (Singapore’s Theatre of the Deaf) in 1990.
But maybe your child has a flair for the dramatic rather than silence? Check out the drama workshop (for ages 10 to 12) led by Serena Ho, you will use drama techniques (and imagination) to bring Shaun Tan’s The Arrival from page to stage. It is not necessary to read The Arrival before the session, but it’s a marvellous book, so why not check it out?
Reading is fun for ALL kids
This is one event we are super glad to see on the schedule, as it’s suitable for little ones who may have learning difficulties such as dyslexia, or visual impairment issues. Join the To S.I.R (Socially Inclusive Reads) With Love team as they re-tell the familiar local folktale, Hang Nadim and the Garfish. The new S.I.R series has been specially created for kids who may find reading a struggle; the font at this story session has been designed to be easily read by dyslexics and there is also Braille text with raised illustrations to meet the needs of the visually impaired.
Hang Nadim and the Garfish, Asian Civilisations Museum, 1st Nov, 1pm to 2pm, FREE
Where the wild things aren’t
Carina Hales, Artistic Director of Players Theatre has created a super-fun workshop based on Maurice Sendak’s classic book Where the Wild Things Are. Enjoy theatre games and imaginative role-play to become king of the Wild Things! Suitable for kids age seven and upwards.
Where the Wild Things Aren’t, Asian Civilisations Museum, 31st Oct 12pm to 1pm $5 per person.
Crafts and storytelling at Tales of Sea and Forest
Join a fantastical workshop that weaves together craft and an interactive storytelling session! First, illustrator Elieth Sardiñas helps kids create masks and headdresses to transform into a special character, then storyteller Kiran Shah will share mesmerising tales from the Pacific Islands sure to capture the imagination. For ages seven to nine.
Tales of Sea and Forest, 1 Nov, Sun 1:00pm to 2:30pm $5 per person
Yo ho ho and a bottle of… milk
Traditional party games are given a pirate twist as you explore the Secret Island. Will your kids be brave enough to cross the shark-infested bay? Can they guess what’s hidden in the treasure chest? Let them show up in their most wicked pirate gear to find some buried gold. Don’t forget to check out our article on where to get the best pirate and other Halloween costumes in Singapore before you walk the plank to the party!
Pirate Party, Asian Civilisations Museum, 1st Nov, 2.30pm to 3.30pm, FREE.
In addition to the awesome lineup for kids, there are lots for parents to join in too
As well as all the great events for the kids, there are also lots for parents to join too. There will be a range of panel discussions, talks and workshops on topics such Help! My Son doesn’t read! (featuring the husband and wife writing team behind the Sherlock Sam books), Stay off-line and read a book (to your child), and Tell Them The Truth, which helps parents broach sticky subjects such as sickness and divorce with their children.
There really is a ton of cool stuff going on for the whole family so make sure not to miss the events which will be running from 30th October through until 8th November. Many events are free (we love FREE!) and up to $20 per person. Tickets are available via SISTIC.
HoneyKids has put together our favourite festival events this year: DOWNLOAD our free printable guide to the SWF for families!
FLASH GIVEAWAY!
As a special treat for readers, HoneyKids has two pairs of tickets to Where the Wild Things Aren’t and Tales of Sea and Forest to give away! For your chance to win, simply enter your details below. Competition ends 5pm 30th October; winners will be announced shortly afterwards. For full terms and conditions, please click here.
Update: Thanks to everyone who entered our flash giveaway! The lucky winners are Mami Takayama and Alan See, who will be receiving free passes to fun events at the Singapore Writers Festival – congrats! Look out for an email soon to arrange your prize.
This post is sponsored by Singapore Writers Festival.