ISLAMABAD: The second day of the Children`s Literature Festival (CLF), took place this Friday at the Federal College of Education, H-9.

In addition to sessions by many renowned figures, the festival also featured an outdoor event comprised of a Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP) exhibition, several `muti-sensory` stalls, and activities for children organised by Kuch Khaas and TeleTaleem.

The CAP exhibition, called `Exchange for Change` is based on cross-border correspondence between students in India and Pakistan.

The exhibition displayed postcards exchanged between children, as well as art sent across the border displaying various parts of Indian and Pakistani culture. Minimalist models of the Lahore Fort, the Red Fort, the Taj Mahal, Mazar-iQuaid, Badshahi Mosque, and the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel were spread throughout the exhibition.

The event also featured several `multi-sensory` stalls including ones belonging to Rozan, CLF, Idara-i-Taleem-oAagahi, School Assessment and School Improvement (SASI), Smart Brain, TeleTaleem, Sabag Foundation, Sahil and RutgersWPF.

In addition, a stall displaying items decorated with `truck art` and a pottery stall, were also present. Several stalls also held games and activities for children to participate in.

Idara-i-Taleem-o-Aagahi had a painting section, as did TeleTaleem which also organised `Hangman`, `Tail the Donkey`, and other games.

Kuch Khaas held a talent show called Kuch Khaas Got Talent, and several students participated by singing a combination of popular Bollywood, English and Pakistani songs.

The Kuch Khaas section had the games `Can-Toppling` and `Shoot the Hoop`, as well as an arts and crafts table.

The day also featured many sessions, including one by children`s author Amra Alam, titled `How to Write Short Stories`.

She began by discussing the responsibility held by writers, whose work can shape the minds of children. She said that short stories were sometimes preferable and more enjoyable for young readers because long works can cause people to become nervous and even lose interest.

Alam then discussed certain things that can help short stories stand out, among these were: an interesting topic, a little humour and some educational information.

She stressed the importance of balance and simple language when writing short stories.

Alam also discussed some of her current work, includingher post as an editor and writer for `Uran Tashtaree`, a bimonthly and bi-lingual children`s magazine, as well as her work on book about polio awareness, which is bi-lingual and will be the first `speaking` book in Pakistan.

The session included excerpts from Alam`s work, as well as the recitation of a poem titled `Khatta Bakra`. The children present were also asked to write short stories during the session, the best of which may be printed in `Uran Tashtaree`, and the session concluded with a recitation of some of these stories by their authors.