Imagine|Native at SEA Aquarium

Media Invite

Imagine|Native at SEA Aquarium will run from 27 May to 12 June 2016 and we were lucky to be the first to experience Singapore's first marine-themed educational and creative fair. It is, in fact, a book fair. However, it isn't just one that you enter a large hall and get all overwhelmed with publishers trying to sell their books but one that includes live performances, book launches, talks, workshops and a host of fun activities.

With participation from about 18 publishers such as Epigram Books and Scholastic Asia, the event will showcase a treasure trove of books for children. As part of the efforts to encourage more children to explore the joy of reading, RWS will be offering 15% discount for all books on sale at the event and a daily lucky draw with up to S$20,000 worth of prizes to be won, including a 2D1N Ocean Suite Staycation, the “Aquarist for a day” programme and the award-winning “Ocean Dreams” programme.

I came face-to-face with the most impressive bookshelf ever with 10,000 donated books contributed by members of the public and RWS staff in a book donation drive jointly organised by RWS and the People's Association. These books will be distributed to children from low income families across Singapore. I am loving RWS' corporate responsibility initiative! What a thoughtful way to give back to the society.

At first sight, I went, "Hmmm is this all? A book fair?" I was a little bit disappointed until the live performances came full steam ahead! I pulled Ewan out from school for this opportune mother-and-son outing and his eyes were fixated to the stage the whole time. The opening act was graced by Fin-tastic Fishy Friends with a pirate hosting the launch of Imagine|Native. The children who were gathered below stage were clapping their hands to the beat and screaming with delight when streamers popped up into the air! I won't deny I was one of the excited "child" going WOW with the rest of the pre-schoolers on site. What happened next got everyone really excited. Mascots! We saw Ang Ku Kueh Girl, Clifford The Big Red Dog, Geronimo Stilton, Thea Stilton and Singa the Lion - all of which are characters of storybooks whom we are familiar with!

I especially loved the Ang Ku Kueh Girl mascot because she is just too adorable! If there was only time for one picture, I will run for the queue with her at the end of the line. I own my first Ang Ku Kueh wristlet two years ago and recently bought Faye a mini Snow-Skin Mooncake wristlet. Wang Shijia, the owner of this home-grown icon, has recently written a children picture book which is available for sale at Imagine|Native with a 15% discount. In the book, Ang Ku Kueh Girl and her friends Png Kueh Girl, Kueh Lapis Girl, Curry Puff Boy and Roti Prata Boy will bring you on an inspiring journey to combat fear. The storybook, The Magical Dragon Playground published by Epigram Books, features our Toa Payoh Dragon playground! Ewan seemed like he was listening intently to the mascot telling her tale but in actual fact, mascots do not talk. Do not be misled! *haha*

We were treated to two storytelling sessions by authors David Seow and Edmund Chen during the media launch. Not only were there tables and chairs to engage the young listeners with activities, there is also a touch pool where you can stroke sea cucumbers [if you dare], starfish and corals. Not before your hands a sanitised please.

I will be returning Imagine|Native again as a paying customer because hey! Bloggers are not always at events just because it is free of charge! When a programme is well worth the money spent [i.e. our children will have a great time], we will pay and spread the word for it but not without first checking if there is a discount.

Purchase your Adult Ticket online here and you will get $1 off. Ticketing details as follows:

Ticket Type	Adult	Child (ages 4 to 12)
One-Day Pass	$6 (onsite), $5 (online)  (Inclusive of 1 x $5 Imagine | Native Voucher)	$3  (Inclusive of 1 x Free Goody Bag)

Note that this tickets do not gain you entry into the SEA Aquarium but there is a bundle deal you can consider. Book here.

Adult Bundle @ $34
▸ One (1) S.E.A. Aquarium Adult One-Day Pass  ▸ One (1) Imagine | Native Adult Admission Ticket  ▸ Four (4) $5 Imagine | Native Vouchers
Child Bundle @ $18
▸ One (1) S.E.A. Aquarium Child One-Day Pass  ▸ One (1) Imagine | Native Child Admission Ticket  ▸ One (1) Free Goody Bag for Child

I would say the bundle deal is most practical a choice to make because no child will go home without first visiting the aquarium! That is one of the reasons why they got all excited about this trip in the first place right? We left Imagine|Native for the aquarium shortly after and Ewan declared that he wanted only to see the Jellyfish. We have been to SEA Aquarium many times and walked the whole premise each visit. I was surprised he was that specific this trip. His keen interest in Jellyfish will get me searching for more information about this invertebrate soon! The perfect bedtime story to pump up his marine life knowledge.

Ah! And this was out first visit coming face-to-face with a diver who interacted back with us!

The S.E.A.A Super Mum program is also on until 12 June 2016. We saw many Super Fishy Creature standees all over the aquarium and that got Ewan quite excited especially when he is into that Super Hero frenzy now. There is a Kids' Mission Map available for pick-up at the entrance. It asks questions like, "Who protect their babies by holding them in their mouths?" and "Who lays eggs in a sandy nest?" We got to meet the newest family member in the tank too - The Shark Ray!

The Imagine|Native event calendar will be a very helpful guide for parents to scrutinise and decide which days' programs will excite your children most. For the Geronimo fans, there is a character meet & greet on  Tuesday, 7th of June 2016! Go go go look into the event calendar and mark your day out with your family to Imagine|Native.

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A stay at home mum, blogging to widen her social life. 
We want to echo the sound of love through our lives to inspire other mothers alike.