Children give their favourite comic characters a voice at SIBF

Through interactive breathing and emotional exercises, the workshop guided young participants to connect with their characters deeply, underscoring the importance of imagination and empathy.Children and parents enjoyed voicing well-known characters like Pikachu from Pokémon and Mario, even singing memorable tunes from beloved classics like The Lion King. Older attendees, driven by nostalgia, joined in with enthusiasm, creating a lively and inclusive environment that resonated with participants of all ages.

“The aim is not just to explore comic creation and illustration but also the transformation of these characters into animated series,” explained instructor Maha AlMheiri, who engaged attendees with insights on the voice acting process. “Voice acting demands imagination, empathy, and a sense of presence—skills that we encourage through breathing techniques and emotional exercises. We want kids to understand why their favourite characters feel so real and relatable.”

As part of the workshop, young participants experimented with voicing a range of emotions for characters like Pikachu, Mario, and a playful cat, while older attendees recalled a nostalgic jingle from a pre-Ghibli animation, joining together in a heartfelt rendition. “The tune centres on a group of chimney-sweeping friends who support one another,” shared Maha. “This theme of unity and friendship is why it resonated with everyone in the room.”

This workshop is one of many interactive sessions offered for children of all ages at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair, organised by the Sharjah Book Authority. The fair runs until November 17. For more information, visit www.sibf.com.