The world seen through the eyes of children is purely magical, if only we stop by to see it. Children’s day is not just for the children but also an opportunity for the adults to get a glimpse into their world. Madurai treated its children to a range of books, contests and goodies to mark the day.
What with kids and adults increasingly reading on kindle, ipads and mobiles and purchasing books online, libraries and book stores have become rustic reminders of childhood nostalgia for many. Peoples’ lifestyles may have changed but who can deny that these places will always be the entry ticket to delightful fantasies trapped within the pages of a book.
One such hotspot in the city is Madurai’s oldest book store -- the Turning point that shares a long lasting romance with the local readers. While most are acquainted with its original store on Town Hall Road, the recent relocation of the shop to KK Nagar has also opened a world of new and old enthusiastic customers.
It was for them that the shop owners have planned a series of activities through the week. Storytelling, slogan writing and drawing contests for children between five and 15 years are being conducted from November 13 to 19. Besides involving the children, the book store has also managed to engage the parents with a Read aloud challenge for them in order to encourage them to read to their children.
On Tuesday evening, Sindhuja Senthil Prasad accompanied her three years old son Vivaan, for the challenge and read the tale of GajaPati Kulapati, a children’s book with rhythmic words and repetitive sounds. Five-year-old Anusha who tagged along with her mom, insisted on reading the Hair and Tortoise story herself. She gave an impressive performance and earned a gift from Surya Preethy, the shop owner. Nikil Skandan, a third standard student with oratory skills, recited a poem on good manners. At a time when reading is considered a dying habit it was heart-warming to see the tiny tots and their parents celebrating children’s day surrounded with books.
For the interested Sixth to Tenth graders, there is a slogan contest daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. till November 26. And, till November 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily there is a drawing contest for students from LKG to class VIII and the read aloud challenge for parents as well. On 19th morning from 11 a.m. to noon, there is also story telling session for five to eight years old. While kids take part in the competitions, parents can pick up books from sections ranging from picture books and comics, to touch-and-feel books, fairy tales and adventure series, all priced at a special discount up to 50 per cent.
Doing it their way, a special buffet
At the Fortune Pandiyan hotel celebrations are on for three days (till November 16) with special children’s day buffet served between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. It is fiesta time for kids as they are greeted in the lobby by the welcoming staff and made to click photos with their favourite cartoon characters including Chhota Bheem, Bal Krishna and Cinderella all fitted into a frame.
On entering the Orchid restaurant, the ambience transforms into a culinary Disney land. Though it’s customary to try the starters first followed by the main dishes, don’t blame your kids if they want to dig in to the desserts straight away. Because a graceful Barbie in a subtly shimmering, pink ball dress is actually a delicious cake. The Barbie stands tall surrounded by her kingdom of pastries, delectable lollipops, chocolate cone rum balls and a reservoir of sweet badam and rosey melon drinks served in pretty glass jars.
Executive chef K.Suresh says that the menu for the buffet was designed to kindle the imagination of children and named specifically so to attract the children. The dishes offered include colourful fruit idlies, Tom and Jerry noodles, Tweety fish popcorn, Jackie Chan chicken finger and carrot-baby corn lollipop disguised as Dora veg lollipop. Once the children have their stomach-fill, they can head to the adjoining patio and participate in fun events like musical chair, dart board, basketball, hoopla hoop and drawing contests. All in all, it is an attractive fare.
