Starchild: Why treehouses captivate Malaysian kids

Cara Sim, 9

Imagine climbing up into your very own treehouse, high among the branches, with the wind whispering through the leaves and a view of the world below.

Erica Sophia, 12What would your treehouse look like?

Maybe it has a wooden ladder, a rope swing, a little balcony where you can watch the sunset, or even a secret hatch hidden behind a curtain of vines.

In fantasy books, tree-like homes and magical trees often hold the doorway to wonder.

In The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton, a gigantic magical tree has small houses carved into its trunk and mysterious lands up above the clouds.

Why are treehouses so fun? Because they feel like a secret place. A treehouse lifts us above the ordinary, gives us privacy with friends, and offers a place to play, rest and dream.

Even if you live in an apartment and there’s no tree in your backyard, don’t worry. You can draw your own treehouse and imagine the structure. You can also visit places that offer treehouse adventures.

Here are the second batch of letters from Starchild readers on the topic, Treehouse.

Kirana Dwi Setiani, 9Nine-year-old Cara Sim wants to have a treehouse with curtains, fairy lights and a swing hanging from a branch.

“I’d put a small table for drawing and colouring. From up there, I can see the sky and maybe some birds flying by.

"When it rains, I’d love to sit inside and listen to the raindrops. It would be my happy place where I can daydream and feel close to nature.”

“I really want a treehouse behind my house. I imagine it high up in a big mango tree with a small ladder to climb. My older sister Dinda and I would bring our toys, storybooks and some snacks,” says nine-year-old Kirana Dwi Setiani.

Joanna Tan, 12Joanna Tan, 12, says: “I’ve always dreamed of having a treehouse as a secret hideout with my siblings. It would be so cool!

"Imagine lying under the starry night sky with an open rooftop, feeling the cool breeze on your face. I have dreamed about it since I was little, playing cards and board games together whenever we were bored, then hopping onto the swing that hangs from the tree branch.

"It still feels like a magical dream that I hope comes true someday.”

Erica Sophia, 12, says: “I’d decorate it with plants, maybe some lights, and a beanbag to sit on. I’d go there after school to do homework or just enjoy the breeze. It would be nice to see the sunset from up high.”

“If I could build a treehouse, I’d make it from old wooden planks with a cool rope ladder. It would be my secret spot to read comics, play guitar and eat snacks without anyone calling me to do chores. I’d invite my best friend to hang out and we could talk about school or just chill,” writes Joshua Tan, 12.

Joshua Tan, 12

ITEM: Do you have a favourite vegetable? Maybe it’s crunchy carrots, leafy spinach or juicy corn. Tell us which vegetable you love the most and why. Do you eat it raw, enjoy it in a soup or cooked by your parents in a special way? Draw or write about how you enjoy your favourite vegetable and what makes it yummy or fun to eat.

Email your contributions to [e-mail] by Nov 29. Please put “STARCHILD: Favourite vegetable” in the subject line of your email.

Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200dpi. 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.