Starchild: Malaysian children enjoy writing with their favourite pencils

Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 4

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ITEM: Ramadan, the month where Muslims around the world fast, is about to begin. We invite our young Muslim readers to tell us what the holy month means to them. Tell us how you celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri and what you like best about the festival.

To our non-Muslim readers, tell us what you like best about Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

All letters must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below), gender, e-mail, phone number and address.E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by April 15. Please put "STARCHILD: Hari Raya" in the subject line of your e-mail. 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.

Most of us first learned to write, scribble and draw with a pencil.

Have you heard of sprout pencils? These pencils are made of sustainable wood taken from managed forests. Unlike other pencils made with a built-in eraser, these pencils are fixed with a seed. Once the pencil is shortened, the pencil (and grain) can be planted in a pot. How cool is that?

National Pencil Day was celebrated on March 30. Here are Starchild readers' drawings and letters on the topic.

Victoria Liew Yen Yi, 10

Victoria Liew Yen Yi, 10, writes: "I like Stabilo 2B pencils because the ink is very dark and makes my writing look beautiful."

Hayley Liew Xin Yi, 8

"My favourite pencil is Nieki pencil given by my teacher. The lead is darker, and I enjoy writing with these pencils," says Hayley Liew Xin Yi, eight.

Six-year-old Chuah Seng Koon wishes to have a magical pencil that can grant his wishes. "Can you imagine having a pencil that would obey whatever you say? If I had this special pencil, I would ask it to draw a Porsche so that I can drive or sit in my dream car."

Wong Zhi Ying, 8

Wong Zhi Ying, eight, also wants a pencil that can grant her many wishes. "My special pencil is like a genie. It is red and blue in colour, and it can grant 100 wishes. Once I wished for a dog, and when I opened my eyes, there was a cute dog in front of me. My magic pencil can also help me do my homework and write fantastic long notes."

"I love the yellow and black coloured strips of pencils. I use pencils to write, draw and complete my Mathematic sums. I always use pencils to draw a smiley face in my activity books. I love my pencils very much," writes Wong Jie Ern, six.

Four-year-old Asher Wang Qi Chuen likes purple pencils because purple is his favourite colour. "Pencils are made from forest trees. A tree can make three hundred thousand pencils. Isn't that amazing?"

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen,7

Older sibling Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, seven, doesn't have any favourite pencils because she loves to use all types and colour pencils. "I am learning to take better care of my pencils so they don't always fall to the floor or go missing. Pencil lead is made of graphite, and sometimes they cannot be sharpened anymore if the graphite inside is broken."

Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, nine, likes mechanical pencils because she doesn't need to sharpen them. "But when I do use pencils, I like to use the 3B pencils, so my writing is darker and clearer."

Sophie Yap Jyn Qing, 9

Claire Yap Jyn Wei, 6

"National Pencil Day is a day to celebrate and honour pencils, one of the oldest writing tools. Pencils are important for drawing, writing and colouring," says younger sibling Claire Yap Jyn Wei, six. - Compiled by Sheela Chandran

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