Sunday was a day spent in Chembur at the Junior Writers Bug children literature festival and despite the distance and Mumbai temperature to new highs, a turn into the leafy lane near St. Anthony’s school was a respite to the senses.
With three workshops back to back, I had my hands full and my voice supported by many cups of tea. But what a wonderful experience!
My first workshop with 40 kids – a reading of Kaka and Munni with a collage activity had the kids curious about the Dhol music that started the reading. With context of a folktale from Punjab, I read out the story with my crow puppet and a tambourine for rhythm. Much sticking followed to give us a whole forest of trees on Earth day!
The next one ‘Rhyme and Rhythm in poetry’ was a house full and I was amazed yet again with the words thought up and limericks that children created in one hour.
And to round off a fun morning was a packed room full of kids waiting to hear Icky, Yucky, Mucky! and make their own splotch monsters.
A big thumbs up to the Junior Writers Bug team and I hope that this can go on to become an annual event.