The Foong Family visited 童言童语 (Hook On Books) a few weeks back and it is one of those places. It was especially so for Mama Esther (me!) who used to be a Chinese Teacher.
Personally, I find Chinese Language a very beautiful and Creative language. Think about it, which language's written characters were originated from how the object or scenario looks like? And how a portion of the character can tell you its material or the pronounciation? Just the word "carry" can be expressed in different degree in Chinese: 拿、提、扛、背、带、载、搬、抱、拎、抬！
Sadly, the Foong kids' level of Chinese language is not that great. Lack of exposure and environment to speak and limited time to practise (we only have our evenings as a dual income family) could be reasons (but cannot be convenient excuses).
Creating interest is important. With interest comes motivation and learning will be a joy. :) Saw this place on my NIE lecturer's Facebook and off we went!
What welcomed us at first sight are those big 卡通体 words! 童言童语！I felt as though I was in Taiwan!
“这是属于你的华文华语小天地…”
Before you enter, this beautiful board gives you the instruction how you can enjoy this space.
At Hook On Books, other than purchasing books and stationeries, you can also go to a little corner to take a read. The books here are donated by public and quite a big collection of different genres.
From top left: books for sale, starioneries and traditional games, surprise bags and recommended reads.
Even the toilet is nicely done with a soundtrack of birds chirping playing in the background.
If you thought that this is just a book shop, you are so wrong! You can handmake notebooks, cards and dried flower bouquets at a very reasonable price. :)
Notebooks
There are two sizes that you can opt for:
A5 for $8.50
A4 for $9.90-10.90
You can choose the papers for the cover and inner pages. I especially like the inner pages: single lines, Chinese squares or calendar.
The shop was very generous with the materials provided. Dried flowers, little wooden decorations and animal templates that the ladies cut out themselves!
A special mention of the ladies at the shop! They were patient and spoke very pleasantly. Nathan and Phoebe had a fun time just decorating and drawing!
Here are their beautiful end products that the ladies have bound together using strings and little brunches!
We were in the shop for a good 1.5hrs and we ended the session with a yummilicious fruit juice!
Here's the details of the shop! Don't say I bo-Jio! :)
yesterday talk at 938 now
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