Children carve their stories in wood at 44th SIBF

Developing characters and scenes
The programme, led by qualified educational arts instructors, taught children the fundamentals of working with wood and using safe carving tools. Participants learnt how to mould and replicate characters and scenes from their favourite stories by combining craftsmanship with narrative.

A workshop for dreaming
Children engaged themselves in shaping their narratives, cutting, glueing, and painting as if creating stories with their fingertips, surrounded by warm tones and the aroma of wood. The workshop transformed into a small dream studio, with wooden pieces transformed into knights, heroes, trees, houses, and tiny boats, all created by children's infinite imaginations. Some children retold famous stories, while others constructed wholly new ones, constructing wooden worlds unique to them.

Developing their skills in artistic expression
Supervisors indicated that the workshop's goal was to foster children's artistic expression, enhance their aesthetic sensibility, and encourage them to connect with stories in order to become a part of the narrative universe. They observed that "Storytelling in Wood" combines learning and enjoyment, boosting children's confidence in transforming words into creative, physical pieces of art.

Tables come alive with colour and details
At the end of the session, the youngsters showed their wooden creations based on their favourite characters. The tables were transformed into brilliant displays brimming with colours and rich features—a gallery of small narrative worlds that reflected their enthusiasm for storytelling and experimentation.

New opportunity  for creativity
The workshop embodied the spirit of the Sharjah International Book Fair, giving up new avenues for youngsters to find creativity via art and craftsmanship, and transforming every reading experience into an adventure of expression and discovery.