SINGAPORE – Make family time all the more special with these ideas and activities.
Storytelling by Meryl Streep
Sit your kids down for a special online storytelling session by Hollywood icon Meryl Streep, who will regale them with the tale of The Three Questions (2002).
For her masterful reading, the 75-year-old American actress received the Outstanding Children’s Personality award at the third annual Children’s and Family Emmys in Los Angeles on March 15. The awards show celebrates creativity and innovation in children’s entertainment.
The Three Questions, by American author-illustrator Jon J. Muth, follows a boy who seeks answers to three meaningful questions about kindness, purpose and the right way to live. With the help of his animal friends and a wise old turtle, he learns life lessons about compassion, mindfulness and the importance of being present for others.
Watch Streep read The Three Questions for free at str.sg/DMPo
Storyline Online, a children’s literacy programme, features celebrated artistes reading books to inspire young minds. The videos are available on its website and free iOS app.
Animated film Dog Man
Animated film Dog Man is adapted from the popular graphic novel series of the same title by American author-illustrator Dav Pilkey.PHOTO: UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES
If your kids are fans of the popular graphic novel series Dog Man (2016 to present) by American author-illustrator Dav Pilkey, take them to the cinemas to enjoy the film adaptation.
The movie by DreamWorks Animation follows the adventures of the titular part-canine, part-human cop, who endeavours to thwart the evil plots of Petey the Cat. The feline supervillain has created a clone of himself, a kitten named Lil Petey, so he can cause double the trouble.
However, the situation gets complicated when Dog Man unexpectedly bonds with the kitten. He and Petey must now work together to save the kitten from a common enemy. Along the way, they learn that the strength of family can unite even the biggest rivals.
“Dav’s books have this incredible ability to make kids laugh out loud while also teaching them lessons about friendship and doing the right thing,” says the film’s American writer-director Peter Hastings, who also voices Dog Man. “Our goal with this film was to amplify those elements and create a movie that’s not just entertaining, but also meaningful and memorable.”
Theatre production Zooom
ecfun23 - Theatre show Zooom is inspired by American author-illustrator Crockett Johnson's picture book Harold and the Purple Crayon. PHOTO:
Matt Bryne
Theatre show Zooom draws inspiration from the picture book Harold And The Purple Crayon.PHOTO: MATT BRYNE
Who is afraid of the dark? It can be a magical place, as a child discovers when she is unable to sleep and embarks on an imaginary journey across the universe. This sets the premise of the production Zooom by Australian arts company Patch Theatre.
Featuring original music and multimedia projections, the show draws inspiration from Harold And The Purple Crayon (1955), a picture book by the late American author-illustrator Crockett Johnson.
As part of the immersive experience, audience members are invited to take along an item representing darkness to the show. It will be exchanged for a small light to keep them “safe” and guide them through the performance.
The 45-minute show, recommended for families with kids aged four to eight, will be staged at the Victoria Theatre from April 1 to 5. Children must be accompanied by an adult and those younger than one year old will not be admitted. Ticket prices start at $28 a person.
The performance is presented by Singapore’s Act 3 International. Find out more at str.sg/zqTC
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