Download the June/July issue of Urban Family here, or view it in your browser with Issuu here (VPN needed). To see our previous issues, click here.
The summer of 2017 has been one of the hottest in history. So, what better way to avoid the heat than staying indoors and enjoying a bit of Urban Family delight? The theme of this edition of the magazine is ‘Reading & Literature,’ but we also have our regular features, some new columns and plenty more to keep you cool and relaxed.
In the Life and Wellbeing section we have Beryl Hsu of Architecture Digest telling us about life in the fast lane as she balances her work with her new role as a mother (p10). You might have noticed something called Readers’ Picks on our WeChat, where we put together lists of our readers’ favorite family products in order to relieve the burden of frantic shopping searches. You’ll find a roundup of sunscreen and mosquito repellent reviews from our WeChat readers on p14.
For this issue’s cover story (p16) we concentrate on bedtime stories and how to develop your children’s interest in reading at a young age. While kids today are surrounded by all sorts of fancy gadgets and new technology, reading is truly still an important part of a child’s upbringing and their future, as the written word is the cornerstone of civilization. With this in mind, children’s book writer and illustrator Trevor Lai discusses how bedtime stories can subconsciously influence children’s early development. Lai also contributed the graphics in his article; see p16-21 for his work.
In the Learning section, we take a look at the work of some aspiring writers from three international schools (p26). What’s writing without its most important counterpart, reading? Teacher and librarian Theresa Kemp from Yew Chung International School of Shanghai provides us with some insight into how to encourage reading outside of the classroom on p30.
On a separate, spicy note we have Food & Fun – a look at all (edible) things Southeast Asian – where you can let your foodie fantasies flow around the map of culinary delights from the region (p34).
In the entertainment section, Celine Song had the pleasure of interview the folks behind Blue Horse, the debut production from famous children’s author Stan Lai about a young girl pursuing her passion of music (p40). We also review a highly acclaimed stop-motion animation My Life as a Courgette on p44.
Enjoy and keep calm – the summer is almost over!
Frances Chen
Editor-in-Chief
