Starchild: Malaysian children share their drawings of their favourite animals

Chloe Leong Xizhen, 8

We're looking for more StarChild contributors! Here is our next item:

ITEM: Are you forgetful? Were there times you forgot to do your homework and your teacher was annoyed with that? Have you ever forgotten someone’s name?

Perhaps there was a time when the washing got wet because you forgot to bring it in (like your mum had asked you to)?

How about the time when your friend was upset because you forgot to do him a favour?

Can anyone share tips on how to have a good memory?

Remember to include a drawing.

Email your contributions to [e-mail] by Dec 10. Please put “STARCHILD: “Forgetful” in the subject line of your email.

Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.

Don't you think animals are amazing creatures? All of them are different in their own ways. Here are some interesting and unique facts about some of my favourite animals.

A shrimp’s heart is located in its head.

A snail can sleep for as long as three years and the mighty elephant is the only animal that cannot jump.

Also, cows can produce about 200,000 glasses of milk in their lifetime

Starchild received an overwhelming response on the topic, Dream Animals. We will feature the second batch of letters next week.

Parinita Jayakanth, 12, would love to be a cat because she can bring unconditional love and companionship into a persons life. “I can be a good friend that can help to relieve stress and improve a persons health. Although I am very independent who like to explore on my own terms, it’s is proven on how affectionate I can be with someone I trust wholeheartedly.”

Parinita Jayakanth, 12

Eight-year-old Nurfaqihah Hafiya Ahmad Farhan wants to be an Indominus–Rex. “I would live in a cave and love to eat meat. I also have a pair of strong legs and long teeth. Since I am the biggest dinosaur I would be the king of all dinosaurs. Roar!”

Nurfaqihah Hafiya Ahmad Farhan, 8

Ten-year-old Debria Preethi Jeyarajah says that if she were a sea creature, she’d like to be a shark, the biggest living fish on earth. “Although they may seem scary, they are also deadly and efficient. Sharks are very fast and can catch their prey within seconds. They can lose their teeth and replace them as many times as they need. The biggest known shark is called the megalodon which lived 20 million years ago and it was 80 feet long.”

Debria Preethi Jeyarajah, 10

“My favourite sea animal is the whale shake. It has no teeth. It does not bite and chew. It sucks small shrimps and fishes. It is the biggest in the sea,” says Mandy Tang, five.

Mandy Tang, 5

“There are many types of animals that I like, such as kangaroo, puppy, hamster, but squirrel is my dream animal. It has a long tail, soft and fluffy fur. It can leap from tree to tree. A squirrel has four front teeth and they never stop growing. Squirrel are cute animals,” says Florence Chan Zi Hsuan, seven.

Florence Chan Zi Hsuan, 7

Four-year-old Asher Wang Qi Chuen likes elephants because they have large brains and have a good memory. “Elephants are herbivores who eat leaves. The African elephant is the largest land animal. A group of elephants is called a parade.”

Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 4

Chloe Leong Xizhen, eight, wants to be a bunny because it eats carrots. “Carrots are one of my favourite vegetables.”

Four-year-old Ong Hao Yi dreams of being a T-Rex. “It is a carnivore, just like me. For example, I do not like to eat vegetables. The T-Rex is an intelligent animal with excellent eyesight. It can see up to 6km.”

Ong Hao Yi, 4

“I want to be a colourful baby elephant. I can eat sugarcane and fruits. I also can drink water with my purple trunk, says Victoria Liew Yen Yi, nine.

Victoria Liew Yen Yi, 9

Eight-year-old Lim Sheng Hao wishes to own a golden retriever as his pet dog. “I want them because they are cute and able to swim. These dogs remind me of my grandmother’s dogs, Golden and Linda. Although Golden died last year, Linda is still able to play with me. I wish Golden was still alive to play with us.”

Lim Sheng Hao, 8

Norlick Titi, six, wants to be a cat because she can drink milk and eat plenty of fresh fish. “I will have my own place and people to love me.”

Norlick Titi, 6

Six-year-old Ong Shi Yuan dreams of being a pony because they are cute and more robust than a horse. “Ponies can carry up to double its weight. It sleeps in a standing position, and this is so cool. And when it is winter, the pony will automatically grow an extra coat of mane. Then, when it is summer, it will shred off the coat of hair.

Ong Shi Yuan, 6

Suvethika Mathyarasan, 11, likes Pomeranian dogs because they are cute and have fluffy fur. “If I were a Pomeranian dog, I can go for a walk in the park. I can also wear special dresses made for dogs. It will be fun.”

Suvethika Mathyarasan, 11

“I love butterflies because they come in many different colours and sizes,” says Luke Jayden Alcantra, 10.

Sean Michael Alcantra, 8

Younger sibling Sean Michael Alcantra, eight, writes: “I would love to have a dragon as my dream animal because they can breathe fire.” - Compiled by Sheela Chandran

Luke Jayden Alcantra, 10

Find the hidden words!