Starchild: Toys and books are among Malaysian children's prized items

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 7

What are some of your favourite things that you cannot imagine giving up? Could it be your pretty necklace, fuzzy blanket, treasured toy, or bolster?

Many of us have things we treasure that become our security blankets or comfort objects. A child’s security blanket is a tool to boost their confidence and self-value.

Here’s what Starchild readers had to say on the topic, My Treasured Possessions.

Haley Khoo, 5

Five-year-old Haley Khoo’s treasured possession is a unicorn pin which was a present from her mother. “Mummy wants to let me know that she loves me and my brother, Adam, equally. She knows the unicorn is my favourite animal. If I lose it, I will be very sad. So I always look at it before I go to sleep.”

Asher Wang Qi Chuen, 4

“My most treasured possession are my parents. I love Mummy and Daddy very much. I miss them a lot when I am away at kindergarten,” writes Asher Wang Qi Chuen, four.

Older sibling Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, seven, has three cuddly soft toys that she keeps close to her. “Meet Olivia, my “Forever Friend” bear; George, the mischievous monkey with an injured arm, and Baby Panda, a hybrid doll that I created with a pillow. They are my cherished possessions.”

Jeremy Isaac Lim Jay Mye, 8

Jeremy Isaac Lim Jay Mye, eight, said my most treasured possession is a storybook, The Bouncing Red Ball. “I’m inspired by this storybook, not because of the story but I am amazed that the person who wrote this book is dyslexic. Because of his condition, the author’s way of story-telling is through art; the writing is distinctive and unique.”

Low Ying Tong, 8

“My treasured possession is a doll called Mr Carrot. It is long and cute. It has tiny hands, a pair of feet and a cute face. Every night, I cuddle Mr Carrot tightly. I will never miss a single day without hugging and having it beside me on my bed. It was given by my uncle as a birthday present. I love Mr Carrot,” writes Low Ying Tong, eight.

Low Ying Xi, 10

Older sibling Low Ying Xi, 10, loves her stuffed animal doll, Kitty. “It has grey and white stripes. I also usually play with it with the other dolls like Foxy, Tiger, Panda, and Teddy. I like my doll very much. If I ever were to lose it, I would be very sad. The doll has been with me for almost nine years. It was a present from my cousin.”

Wong Cheng Yang, 8

Wong Cheng Yang, eight, values his soft toy turtle. “I love it so much because it always sleeps by my side every night. It is green and about the size of my palms. I hope it will stay with me forever.”

Wong Jie Ern, 6

Younger sibling Wong Jie Ern, six, writes: “My treasured possession is my soft toy called ‘Ming’. It is my favourite soft toy. I play with it every day. It is small and in black and white.’

Hubert Chua Way Bo, 6

“My most treasured possession is my Thomas & Friends toy collection. My favourite engines are Thomas, James and Percy. I will play with the trains on the track every day. I love reading Thomas & Friends storybooks and adventure movies,” writes Hubert Chua Way Bo, six.

Find the hidden words!

ITEM: Can you spot any insects inside your home? Our home often has “unwanted guests” such as mosquitoes, lizards and cockroaches. People do not like mosquitoes and flies because these insects spread diseases like malaria, dengue, and cholera.

Tell us about insects that you dislike. And don’t forget to list three facts about these pesky insects.

E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by Aug 5.

Please put “STARCHILD: Pesky Insects” 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 number and address.