Tots to Teens
Star Mag, 24th September 2006
What a fest shouldn’t be
Byline: Daphne Lee
WHAT makes a good children’s book festival? Although I am helping to organise one I hadn’t really asked myself that question directly until I was faced with the possibility of the final product being what a good children’s festival definitely shouldn’t be.
This is the first time I am organising an event like this and I suspect I’ve been making it up as I go along. Well, as I have a fulltime job, I work on the festival only in the evenings or weekends. And as I have kids I have to ensure that they aren’t neglected. Squeeze in hobbies, a husband, friends and household errands, and you’ll agree that I am doing some pretty major juggling here (no wonder I’m exhausted at the end of weekends). Still, I’m pretty horrified at myself for not being more focussed on the festival.
Over the last year or so, I’ve had lots of thoughts and ideas about the festival floating in my head and they are mainly to do with the event’s objectives (to promote reading as a pleasurable activity and to show children how books are doorways into exciting new worlds) and its content (storytelling, workshops, readings, fun activities).
But until very recently, I never thought them through to see if they gelled with the other aspects of the festival – like the logistics, design and finance. So, have I figured out what makes a good children’s book festival?
Let’s start with what I don’t think it should be ...
* I don’t think it should be a money-making event. I think any profit should go into a festival fund, which can go towards making the next event a success. But I don’t think the organisers should go all out to make big bucks.
* I don’t think there should be an entrance fee to the festival. Like any big event, sponsorship is desirable. And if the cost of the event is covered by the sponsors, there’s no reason to charge people to attend. I’ve been told that tickets help with crowd control, but surely there are other ways to do that. For example, the doors could be closed after a certain number of people have been admitted.
* I don’t think that anyone who provides a worthy service or product that is in keeping with the objectives of the festival should be prevented from participating simply because of financial constraints. For example, I feel that independent booksellers who have a special interest in children’s books should be encouraged and supported. Their presence at a children’s book festival is something I’d like to ensure, and, to this end, I feel that their participation should be, as far as possible, subsidised by the organisers.
Finally, I don’t think a book festival should resemble a book fair. I don’t think children should walk in and see a sea of vendors and be greeted by the sound of ringing cash machines. I don’t think such a scenario would inspire a child to read or even make him curious about what lies between the covers of a book.
(At the book festivals I’ve been to, you can buy books at shops run by the organisers and these are always either non-profit or in aid of the festival fund or a charity.)
A children’s book festival should be a place where children can immerse themselves in the joy and magic of books, reading and storytelling.
They should be introduced to a wide range of books, storytelling styles and subject matter. They should be given a chance to create and tell their own stories, in words or pictures, or even in mime. They should be introduced to local writers, illustrators, storytellers and stories.
A book festival should be an exciting, engaging, interactive experience that will stimulate their imagination, rouse their curiosity and leave them eager for more.
We were aiming for November this year, but it looks like it’s back to the drawing board and a new festival date in 2007.
Well, at least, we now have more time to get things right. Watch this space for updates and if you have any bright ideas on what a children’s book festival should be, feel free to share them with me.
Lots of storytelling complete with costume and props please. Maybe continuous session or at least longer session so we don't need to be there at a specific time only.
Some tips on becoming a storyteller for children and adults too.
Maybe can encourage the children to come with their fav book and they can dressed up according to the book. Like what some international schools did for their 100days.
Posted by: aza | Monday, October 02, 2006 at 17:14
Here are a few ideas, but probably you may have thought of them. Well, anyway, here goes -
1. Decorate some corners with fairy tales themes. Example, Faraway Tree theme, Narnia theme, etc.
2. A stage in the middle where kids can perform skits from some well known stories.
3. Creative story telling where a person starts it, then anyone from the floor
can continue it for a minute or two. A small gift to encourage participation.
I am looking forward to the fest.
Posted by: Jen Wong | Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 00:01
Hi,
where is this children's festival gonna be held? It sounds exciting!
I think besides targeting at children, you might want to target at parents too. Afterall, for the really young kiddos, they have to be read to. For example, have hands-on activities for parents to learn how to read and make a book come alive for their children; or how to choose books for children of different age range.
Perhaps it'd be fun to have thematic booths e.g. festival based with accompanying books, cooking based with books, character series books and so on.
Just some thoughts.
Posted by: tabehodai | Friday, September 29, 2006 at 22:06
I won't say I have bright ideas -- your approach in identifying the negatives seems quite good. My 2-cents this: "A Children Book Fest should be for the Children"... but you have already covered that point somewhere above.
Posted by: Ivan Chew | Thursday, September 28, 2006 at 22:26