Every day during the second half of the month of October, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh with a special Treasure Trail that delighted children and families alike. Participants journeyed through the Hundred Acre Wood, discovering fascinating facts about Pooh and his friends along the way. Everyone who completed the trail received a commemorative bookmark and a special chocolate treat.
During the October half-term, Stoneleigh Community Library also hosted two popular free events that blended storytelling, crafts, cartoons and optical illusions as part of a packed programme of activities for local children.
On Monday 26 October, the library became a hive of activity as children immersed themselves in the world of classic comics and cartoons. Inspired by the adventures of Dennis the Menace, Gnasher and their friends, participants created imaginative stories and artwork of their own. Running from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm, the free session encouraged children to transform old comics into creative collages and cartoon strips, while also designing models and drawings inspired by their favourite characters. At the end of the afternoon, everyone proudly took home their unique works of (he)art.
On Tuesday 27 October from 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm, children aged seven and over delved into the fascinating world of optical illusions. They discovered how visual tricks can fool the eye and learned the secrets behind some of the most intriguing illusions. Inspired by the extraordinary work of artist MC Escher, children explored how mirrors, reflections and perspective can transform ordinary shapes into mind-bending creations. We taught the children all about optical illusions and how to baffle their friends and family by taking a spooky journey into the impossible. They then put their new knowledge into practice by designing their own optical illusions, producing some truly impressive results.
Both events included hands-on craft activities and short video clips to discover more about the artists, their work and their inspiration. The sessions were warmly received by families from across the local community and reflected the library's ongoing commitment to providing a varied programme of activities for children of all ages.
