LISTINGS KIDS
S
LENNY HENRY
BOOK REVIEW
CHARLIE AND THE BIG CHILL
lenny Henry; illustrated by Chris Burke ( Victor Collancz, £6. 99). Latest in a long line of alternative comedians putting pen to paper, Henry has decided to put his talents as a father to good use and create a new series of children’s books based on a mischievous tomboy called Charlie. The story itself is aimed at younger readers, and as such is a bit thin on plot development, and indeed narrative, featuring only speech, and not a great deal of that. Luckily, the book comes as part of a tape set, and here the story really comes alive. Side one sees Henry embellishing the text with some much needed scene- setting, plus plenty of sound effects which really bring Burke’s illustrations to life. But the best thing is the music. Hanging from funky to mysterious, it really evokes a sense of atmosphere and encourages readers to get up and dance with Charlie and the Ice Cream Posse. Side two allows children to follow the text
CHRIS BURKE
word for word with turn-the-page sounds, which although slightly dull (as there is no extra dialogue to brighten it up), does at least afford some sense of learning. It the Charlie books do indeed turn into a series, then some interesting and unusual adventures are sure to follow, but a little more detail, educational content and characterisation would be nice also. (Kelly McMenamin)
Events are listed by city, then alphabetically by activity. Kids Listings compiled by Kelly McMenamin
Outdoors
Reserve. Info: Lesley Adams. ()l3552 36644. Sat 27 Jul. noon and 4pm. A chance to don your wellies and waterproofs and join the Rangers for lots of activities. including displays. guided walks and kids' workshops.
I Kelburn Castle and Country Centre Fairlie. Ayrshire. ()l-i75 568685. Get along to Kelburn for lots of summer fun. with Fair Piay’s Circus Skills Sat 27 Jul. 2—4pm. impress yottr mates by learning to balance spinning plates. juggle and use diabolos in Fair Play's circus workshop. Creature Connections Sat 3—Fri 9 Aug. ll.30am/2pm. is a chance to fitid out through games and activities fiow creatures are linked in nature's food chain.
I Traquair Fair Traquair House. limerleithen. Peeblesshire. ()I8‘)6 830785/830323. Sat 3 and Sun 4 Aug. Ham—6pm. Adult £9 (£7.50 in advance)/concession £5 (£4.50)/family £22 (£20). Under-5s free. A weekend of activities for young and old alike. with swing boats. face-painting. Shoestring Circus and kids' favourite man from the moon. Mr Boom. There are also children‘s workshops. including kite-making. unicycling. sound sculpture and archery.
Indoors ramm—
Theatre
I The Adventures oi Maisie Scotland Street Museum. 225 Scotland Street. 429 l202. Sat 27fTue 30 Jul. 2pm. £3 (£2). Ian Turbitt Puppet Theatre present a brand new show featuring the famous be-kilted tabby cat.
Activities And Fun
I Pollok Family Day Pollok Country Park. Info: 632 929‘). Sat 3 Aug l0am—5pm. A fun-filled day for all the family. with live entertainment. activities. stalls. face-painting and even gardening tips.
Activities And Fun
I Edinburgh Zoo Corstorphine Road. 334 9l7l. Lots of fun to be had at the 200 this summer with daily talks on the animals. including the chimps at I2. iSpm. the lions at 3pm and feeding time for the sealions at 4pm. There’s the ever-popular Penguin Parade at 2pm daily or you can take a brass rubbing of endangered species in the Giraffe House. open l2.30—4.30pm. daily. Feeling brave? Then join the Close Encounters Session. where you can stroke snakes. rats and lizards and get a close look at creepy crawlies. daily at l lam/noon/lpm/2.30pm/3.30pm in the Education Centre. 70p.
OUTSIDE THE CITIES
Activities and Fun
I International Bog oay Calderglen Country Park. Langlands Moss Nature
I Children’s Arts Festival Various venues. Info: SSO 8068/876 l()55. Sat 3-Sat l0 Aug. A week of activities. which includes workshops iii creative writing. drama. music and costume-iiiaking. together with children‘s readings and puppet shows. A highlight is sure to be The Happy Gang Coes Yankee Doodle 000 at Eastwood Theatre. liastwood l’ai‘k. Giffnock. SSH 8068. Sat .3 Aug. 2pm. £3. Up to l0 years. Helli'aiser Dolores Diabolo arrives in Yankee Doodle l)oo intent on getting her mitts on the tow n‘s diamonds. But when the Happy (iang appear — armed. bi/ai‘rely'. with bananas. pillows and lipstick she gets more than she bargained for.
I The Happy Gang Goes Yankee Doodle DOC (ilasgow' Green. (ilasgow. Wed 7 Aug. l.3()piii. Free. See Children's Arts Festival listing. The ever-popular Happy Gang posse w ill also be holding a singalong at llam. including many old favourites.
I Budgie The Little Helicopter 't‘hut-s S—Sat l0 Aug. noon/2.30pm. King‘s Theatre. 8th Street. 2S7 55l l. £4.50 (£3). See photo caption.
Exhibitions
I Maisie The Cat [hill 25 Aug. Scotland Street Mtiscum. 225 Scotland Street. 42‘) I202. Aileen l’atei'stiii\ lovable Morningside moggie springs into Glasgow. covering the walls of the museum with illustrations from the popular books. Throughout the e\liiliilion. there “ill be Hill and L‘\()IIL' c‘tislttlttcs litil' kids to dress tip in and story -telling sessions every Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday at llam and 2pm. Maisie's creator will be there singing. reading and illustrating on Tue I. Thurs 3 and Tue S Atig at 2pm. £3. Maisie Puppet Show —
see under Theatre.
Activities And Fun
I Duickies For Kids Royal Museum of Scotland. Chambers Street. 225 753-1. Free ten-minute talk for kids on The Goldfish. Sat 27 Jtil at 2. l5pm. plus special tours of the animal c\hibits on Stiti 28 Jul at 3pm. L'iitil 3| Aug. children of all ages can also visit the popular Discovery Room which returns to the museum. this time with a Scottish theme. Here. you can design your own tartan. find ottt about Scottish words and learn some fascinating facts about milk.
I Blackhall library HIIIIiotise Road. 529 5595. Go along and be spooked at the Haunted Holidays storytiiiie. Wed 3| Jul at 2pm. where there will be stories for 7—l l-year-olds. followed by colouring.
Popular and prolific children‘s author I‘rank' Rodgers. known for A I.\' For Autiije/i.’ among others. visits the library to read for 5— Ill-year—olds on Mon 5 Ann at 2.30pm. ’ i
Theatre
I Charity Singalong Churchill Theatre. Morningside Road. 4-19-1626/467 2426. Sat 27 Jul. llam. £3.50. immensely popular children’s entertainers the Happy (iang take you through 80 minutes of songs. botli old and new. in this charity appearance ill aid of the Scottish Downs Syndrome Association.
W
Activities And Fun
I Astounding Discoveries Almond Valley Heritage Centre. Millfield. l.i\ingslon \'illage. l)l5()6 4 l-l‘)57. £2.20 (£l.20 plus L'l for materials). Ages S—I2. Join the Discovery Team for lots of summer fun. as they highlight a different craft or science each week. with sessions taking place Mon—Fri at llam. 2pm and 4pm. Wicks and Wax Mon 2‘) Jul—2 Atig. Learn about how candles were made in the past and make your own. personally designed candle to take home. Whirlies and Birlies Mon S-J-ri 9 Aug. Look at how mills work and make a wind-driven machine. I Art Workshops Malleny Garden. Halerno. (JIS‘)2 266566. Tue 30 Jtil. £3. The National Trust for Scotland have organised workshops for kids aged 7—l | in which you can make a nature notebook t l lam—Ipm) or create a colourful bird mask (2 inti).
Theatre
I Byte Theatre Abbey Street. St Andrews. (H334 476288.
Whistle Down the Wind Fri 2~Sat 24 Aug. Spin; also at 2.30pm on Sats l0. l7 and 2-l Aug. L’S—L“). Cathy. Nan and Charles have an unusual secret. Jesus is hiding in their barn and they must protect him from the dangerous world of adults in this magical. suspense-filled tale.
Hainbow Magic 6 Aug. 2pm. £3. Journey with the little elf and help him find the Sun Jewel in this puppet show. full of colour. music and songs.
Mr Boom 8 Aug. 2pm. £3. Kids’ favourite Mr Boom comes down from the moon to St Andrews with a mixture of scientific fun. games. songs and dance.
I Bugsy Malone Adam Smith Theatre. Bennochy Road. Kircaldy. (H.592 260498. Thurs Xll‘ri 9 Aug at 7.30pm; Sat l0 Aug at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Phone for prices. Bugsy. Tallulah and co sing and dance their way through the popular show.
i T“.- ~,, I DUDGIE THE LITTLE HELICDP
cit Thurs 8-Sat to Aug, noon/2.30pm. King’s Theatre,
Bath Street, 287 5511. £4.50 (23). Fergie’s literary dabbling: are brought to life In this magical adaptation of the popular klds’ book about Budgie, the brave, cheeky and friendly little helicopter from Harefield Airfield. Be prepared to loin in as Budgie and friends take you on a ioumey fll of music and singalmg fun.
The List 26 Jul-8 Aug I996 57