Young nature enthusiasts had an exciting adventure into sustainable design and recycling while discovering the art of growing sprouts during a unique workshop at the ongoing Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2023).

The 12-day festival, hosted at the Sharjah Expo Centre until November 12, featured Ludmila Favardin, who led the "Scrolling Sprouts" session for school kids.

Favardin introduced a captivating concept called Scrollino, which is like a creative book that unrolls to reveal activities, stories, coloring, and many other engaging things for children to unleash their creativity and connect with nature.

She shared, "Through this workshop, we aimed to teach kids about nature and how to care for living things by nurturing their own sprouts, growing little plants from seeds." Each young participant received small boxes containing seeds and a "growing kit" to take home, fostering a tangible, memorable, and sustainable connection with nature.

What's unique about Scrollino is that it doesn't rely on technology, encouraging children to engage with the book using their tactile skills instead of smartphones or the internet.

Nine-year-old Navilan Nandagopal, a student at Gems Millennium School in Sharjah, found the 45-minute session eye-opening. He said, "We learned that sprouts are full of vitamins and minerals and also got to know more about nature. I am excited to see the sprouts transform over the week."

Ditya Karwan, an 11-year-old student who also participated, expressed her excitement, "It was a great day of learning for me. What fascinated me the most was how this activity involved coloring, memory, and using our brains."

The SIBF 2023 offers young visitors a diverse range of learning and entertainment experiences, from acrylic pouring lessons in fluid art to painting without traditional paint by using colorful yarn, and even delving into the practice of balance yoga. It's a fantastic opportunity for young minds to explore and have fun at the book fair.