Book Review: The Phenomenals:A tangle of traitors

My son (9), loves to read.  He would like to share some of his recent favorites with parents who are choosing books. Here is his first book review on my blog.  I am pleased to see him using the computer for constructive activities, such as typing this all by himself.

The Phenomenals:A tangle of traitors

by F.E. Higgins

reviewed by kyle

A metal-handed cutpurse and expert picklock go to a strange town, and meets three other people. They become the Phenomenals, and try to save a town from lurids - a kind of living dead that wants to be freed from a tar pit-because an evil person freed one of them. Also, this is a series, and I can't wait to read the next book, A gaggle of ghouls.

Book Review on Binky Blog: Calm and Compassionate Children

First of all a big shout out to Leonie, who has been working hard on the Grateful Project, the Grateful Salons, and now the uplifting collaborative blog Binky.

Leonie is looking for people to share their thoughts on books that promote gratitude in adults and children.  I was excited to share my review of the book Calm and Compassionate Children - A Handbook.

So, jump on over to Binky and be part of the happiness.

[April 27, 2014, 1:30pm] R4 Presents Treasure Island - A Live Radio Play for the Family (Shilin)

Here is the official description of this lively presentation happening at the "In memory of Lee ko-yung" Library in Shilin. (Address information at the bottom of this post.)  This show is a delightful version suitable for children, and is guaranteed to get them inspired by live performances and readings.  

This is a free showing.  Seats are limited to just over 100.  The theater is lovely.  Food and drink is not permitted inside the theater. The show is just around an hour long.

Press Release

RED ROOM RADIO REDUX will present a staged radio-theater-style production of TREASURE ISLAND, the Robert Louis Stevenson classic story of pirates and buried treasure, for two performances on Sunday April 27 at 1:30 PM at the new branch of the Taipei Public Library near Shilin Summer Residence.

https://www.google.com.tw/maps/place/No.+115,+Zh%C5%8Dngzh%C3%A8ng+Rd,+Shilin+District/@25.0957243,121.528915,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x3442aea25333ab99:0xb3524aaff940320c?hl=en

Treasure Island is the tale of young Jim Hawkins, who sets sail as a cabin boy on the Hispaniola, on a voyage in search of treasure hidden on a faraway island. In the course of his adventures, he comes across a motley assortment of devious seaman, including the infamous buccaneer Long John Silver.

The R4 performance of Treasure Island will be in English, in an adaptation that draws extensively on the original language of the story. It will be presented as a radio-style staged reading in which the actors use voice, characterization and gesture, as well as live sound effects and music, to recreate the story in the minds of the audience. R4 is dedicated to this unique style of performance, a type of “theater of the imagination,” as a means for sharing great works of literature and to promote a culture of live storytelling and creative listening. R4’s repertoire includes: Macbeth, The War of the Worlds, Dracula and A Christmas Carol. In addition to live performances, the group has produced and broadcast voice dramas in partnership with ICRT-FM100.

This production of Treasure Island will appeal to adults as well as children aged 8 and up.

Red Room Radio Redux is affiliated with Stage Time & Wine @ the Red Room. The group is sponsored by the Ripplemaker Foundation. For more about “spoken word” events sponsored by the Red Room, go to www.redroomtaipei.com.

紅坊廣播劇場會帶來舞台電台戲劇風格的演出金銀島，是羅伯特·路易斯·史蒂文森經典海盜藏寶故事，星期日演出時段，4/27, PM1:30。

金銀島是一個青年賀詹姆(Jim Hawkins)的故事，從伊斯帕尼奧拉島揚帆啟程，在航程中找尋隱藏在遙遠島嶼的寶藏。在冒險的過程中，他遇到一群狡猾奸詐混雜的航海人，包含了最有名的海盜，單腳西渥弗(Long John Silver)。

紅坊廣播劇場會用英文演出金銀島，從原語的方式帶出延伸的效果。會用電台的效果來呈現每一位角色的說 詞，個性特色和手勢比劃，搭配著現場聲音效果以及配樂，重新帶出原始故事的感覺給觀眾們。紅坊廣播劇場要將這樣獨特的表演方式，一種戲劇的想像的方式獻給 觀眾，透過分享偉大文學巨作和表達文化特色的現場說故事效果。先前表演過馬克白、世界大戰和聖誕頌歌。會有額外的現場表演，會將聲音的劇情和電台 ICRT 一同播出。

金銀島演出適合大人到 8 歲以上小孩。會有個簡單的詩詞作為開場，來自路易斯·卡羅爾的愛麗絲夢遊仙境。會將音樂和聲音強化，來優化重述史蒂文森的知名故事。

紅坊廣播劇場是一個附屬於 Stage Time & Wine 活動，紅房社群 Red Room 的演出群組，贊助單位有漣漪人基金會。妳可以在 Red Room 的網站找尋 "Spoken word"。網址是：http://www.redroomtaipei.com.tw

Here is the sypnosis of the story. You can also find some dramatisations on You Tube.

TREASURE ISLAND by Robert Louis Stevenson

adapted for radio drama by Ignatz Ratzkywazky

for Red Room Radio Redux

Background:

Treasure Island, by Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson, is the 18^th century tale of young Jim Hawkins, who sets sail as a cabin boy on the Hispaniola, on a voyage in search of treasure hidden on a faraway island. In the course of his harrowing adventures, he comes across a motley assortment of devious seaman: Bill Bones, Black Dog, Old Blind Pew, Ben Gunn and that most notorious pirate of all, the one-legged Long John Silver, with the ever-present chattering parrot on his shoulder. Along the way, Jim uncovers the crew’s plot of mutiny, comes face to face with their greedy and bloodthirsty tricks, and helps to rescue the ship as well as the stash of buried gold.

The story is told by Jim as an adult, looking back on his youthful, daring adventure. We begin by finding young Jim at home with his mother at the Admiral Benbow Inn, where the boy meets his first shadowy buccaneer, Bill Bones, and unknowingly comes into possession of an old treasure map…a map that everyone is after...

金銀島，由蘇格蘭小說家羅伯特·路易斯·史蒂文森著。背景自十八世紀青年賀詹姆(Jim Hawkins)從伊斯帕尼奧拉島揚帆啟程，在航程中找尋隱藏在遙遠島嶼的寶藏。在冒險過程中，他遇到一群狡猾奸詐的航海人，包含許多惡名昭彰的海盜，其中最有名的海盜：單腳西渥弗(Long John Silver)，和站在他肩膀上的活潑鸚鵡。沿路上，賀詹姆揭發了叛變的船員們，親眼目睹他們的貪婪以及各種詭計，最後拯救了航海船以及找出埋藏深處的黃金寶藏。

本故事是賀詹姆成年後回顧他的青年冒險故事。從最一開始年輕的詹姆和他的母親在本葆海軍上將酒店家裡，這位小男孩認識了第一位神出鬼沒的海盜--骨頭比爾，並在無意中得到了一張古老藏寶圖…這張寶藏圖無數人正虎視眈眈著...

About the Production

紅房新廣播劇團將以英文原汁原味呈現經典故事---金銀島。由電台廣播舞台方式演出每個角色的語氣及獨特個性還有詼諧生動的手勢，並透過現場音效及配樂帶給觀眾們身歷其境之感。

紅房新廣播劇團

身 為 “深度聆聽” 的紅坊社群一份子，紅房新廣播劇團的使命是藉由述說文字，透過極簡讀者聽眾和廣播現場方式，帶給廣大聽眾們更精采的文學體驗。身為地球村的一份子，紅坊新 廣播劇團和東方朋友們擁有這樣特別機會，分享最美好的西方文化傳統，重新燃起偉大故事和詩詞的火種，探索世上文學的共同使命。

About Red Room Community

紅房新廣播劇團是紅房大社群的一份子，亦為 Stage Time & Wine @ the Red Room 之贊助者。

紅房社群是一個延展性的社群，探索和發展聽眾和表演者的無限邊界。紅房為非營利組織，我們旨在藉由文化學習及聆聽彼此的方式，以更瞭解我們的生活周遭以及更深度地自我探索。

About the Sponsor

漣漪人基金會的使命是藉由支持援助『創業、社會議題、文化和環境發展』等計劃，協助人們邁向夢想之路。透過漣漪力量改變生活。

Library Address:

No.15, Zhongzheng Rd. Shilin.

Carparking available under the library.

11143臺北市中正路15號〔福林公園內，正門請走福林路進出本館〕

Photos of library here.

The library is almost brand new.  Books have all been purchased within the last three years.  There is a large DVD and English book selection.

https://www.google.com.tw/maps/place/No.+115,+Zh%C5%8Dngzh%C3%A8ng+Rd,+Shilin+District/@25.0957243,121.528915,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x3442aea25333ab99:0xb3524aaff940320c?hl=en

[April 5, 2014] Morrison Academy Bethany Campus Annual Flea Market

Another great little market for parents looking for bargains.  Manageable size, friendly sellers, always something special to be found.

Image is from the school's FACEBOOK page.  If you are looking at schooling options, this one is worth checking out.

[March 22, 2014] TAS Orphanage Club Annual Book Sale

Taipei American School Orphange Club's  book sale is an institution.  If you are looking for any kind of books at all, make your way and fight the crowds!  This is not just limited to children's books. New books, old books, comics, art books, encyclopedias, novels... more than you can imagine possible for one single sale.

Start time 10am. Runs till 5pm.

Address: Taipei American School, 800 Chung Shan North Road, Section 6, Taipei

[March 29, 2014] AGAPE CHARITY RUMMAGE SALE (Children/Maternity/Parenting-Related)

AGAPE CHARITY RUMMAGE SALE - March 29th, 9:00am - 1:00pm
DONATE ~ VOLUNTEER ~ SHOP!
Dear Parents and Friends of City Playgroup,
We are excited to announce that the AGAPE charity rummage sale will be on Saturday, March 29th, from 9:00am - 1:00pm. As most of you may know and remember, this rummage sale founded by parentpages families in 2004 has grown so much over the years that it became overwhelming for the group to continue to manage it, and it was adopted by AGAPE ICA Church in November 2011.

We are very grateful to all of you who will make donations over these next few weeks, through drop offs and directly on the day of the sale. This time all cash proceeds will be given to Mustard Seed Mission, and their Ai-Hsin Children's Home. The website link: http://www.mustard.org.tw/ah_home/index_e.asp

All remaining items will be donated to either a local infant / toddler orphanage in Taipei City and to charities working with aboriginal villages of Taiwan, of which both we have donated extra things to for several years now.

This is a bi-annual event that allows families to reuse and recycle, as well as de-clutter for a good cause. We are asking for donations of infant and children's clothing, books, toys, and infant and maternity related items since these things have always been the main focus of our rummage sale.

Please Note: the only furniture we can take is infant related such as beds, strollers, playpens, and highchairs, etc.

We have been very encouraged by those who have stepped forward already to volunteer and ask that if you are interested to help in sorting, or setting up and/or working at the sale on the day, to please respond to this e-mail. We need and appreciate any help you can give! Those who volunteer for a few hours will have an opportunity to select up to (5) items they wish to purchase while sorting and at 8:30am for those who will help on the sale day, as a gesture of appreciation.

Sorting & Set Up Dates
Thursday, March 27th: 1:00 - 4:00pm
Friday, March 28th: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Volunteers are always welcome on the morning of the sale for help at the tables selling from 9:00am - 1:00noon, and packing up from 1:00 - 2:00pm.

Location: 3F, Building No. 21, Chang Chun Rd., Taipei City / 台灣台北市中山區長春路21 號 3 樓
(Near the intersection of ZhongShan North Rd.)

The venue is located a few blocks from the Zhongshan MRT stop, EXIT 9, on the red line. The 5th exit is in the underground mall area and that you have to head north towards the direction of the Shuanglian MRT stop while underground. You will actually take an elevator at Exit 9, It is less than a 2-block way from there.

DONATIONS
If you have any items to donate, we ask that you bring them to the following places:
Taipei Area:
-City Playgroup Thursday Outing Locations / Kelly Manske

- Kelly Manske: 台北市慶城街69號11樓 11F., Building No. 69, Qingcheng St ., Songshan Dist., Taipei City Cell: #0919-996-827 / Home # (02) 2545-0459

- Kindermusik Classroom with Jennifer Chau: 12F-2, No. 185 Zhongshan North Road, Section 2. Please call to work out a drop time with her at #0976-630-1060

-Agape International Church, 3F, No. 21 Chang Chun Rd., Taipei City. Please call Ken or Peggy Krake to coordinate a drop off time at 2571-8120 / 0983-400-054

Tien Mu / Shilin / Beitou:
Community Services Center / In care of Jennifer Chau No. 25, Lane 290 Zhong Shan North Rd., Sec. 6 Telephones: (02) 2836-8134 · 2838-4947

Neihu Area:
Parent's Place / Angela Chang #315, 2F, Cheng Gong Road, Section 4, Neihu Tele: 0988-661-132 or 0975-266-833. Please call her first! Website: http://www.parentsplace.com.tw/

I will have a flyer for you to keep for reference or forward to others in a few days, but you must send me a reply by e-mail or private message to have me send it to you directly. Thank you for all of your help and support to a worthy cause, and for recycling what can be useful to others!

Sincerely,

Kelly Manske Thursday Morning City Playgroup Leader

Spring Semester 2014: What's On Around Town For Children Ages 6 and Up?

If your family is new to Taipei,  or if it's difficult for you to find events and groups for your elementary and junior-high school aged children, take a look at some of the offerings below.

Drew's Drama Session II

We are getting ready to launch Drew's Drama Session II next Sunday (March 2), 10 am at the Red Room. (near Chungsiao Fuhsing SOGO). This will be a four week session, 1.5 hours per Sunday, a total of 6 hours altogether, featuring the works of Dr. Seuss. Recommended age group: 8-14 yrs old. Cost: NT 2800. If you are interested, please message Carol (cyao@tig.com.tw)  and she will help you with the details.

This drama group will connect you and your children with some of the best English-speaking performers in Taipei.  We are lucky to have this opportunity for our children!

Stage Time and Juice at the Red Room

The next Stage Time and Juice will be Saturday, March 15, 2014. (I will post full details later). This afternoon with have a St. Patrick's Day Theme! Everyone will be encouraged to wear green and there will be green punch and hopefully other Irish/green themed snacks, which are brought along by you, the participants in the afternoon.*  Stage Time and Juice is a space for children, families, and people who enjoy encouraging the creative development of youth (and their parents!) to get together and share their knowledge.  Children and adults alike get up on the stage for up to 5 minutes, to share original or favorite poetry, music, skits, stories...  whatever it is that delights and insipires them.

Juice is not just for 6 and up. We do have younger children who come along with parents or older siblings and really enjoy the afternoon.  It is not a drop-off activity, and parents need to actively look after their children of all ages throughout the afternoon.

I wrote a full bi-lingual post about this regular event last year.  This is a wonderful place for you to meet other families and get a feel of what is available in the community, too.

*Each family is encouraged to bring along either a large bottle of juice or tea, or a plate of child-friendly finger food to share.

If you would like to contribute to the performances, please contact Carol at  cyao@tig.com.tw.

Writer's Workshop at Parent's Place

Now well into its second year, my Writer's Workshop is going strong.  Open to children age 6 and up, this workshop is a platform for children to confirm their love of the English language and their power to use it.

This semester, we will continue to work on the mechanics of the language, at each child's developmental level.  We will also take on a group project, producing some video material based on our written work.  Through this project, children will learn about using language to communicate to a wider audience.

The workshop is every Wednesday 1:30pm-3:30pm, at Parents' Place in Neihu.  Please contact me through the contact page here for more details.  So far, there are nine children in the group, and we have space for a few more.

Sample of work: Writing to our heroes.