Starchild: How Malaysian kids imagine their umbrellas would look like

Abhiraami Elavarasan, 10

If you are an umbrella designer, what kind of amazing designs would you create?

Would your umbrella be covered in bright colours, cool patterns or something totally unique?

You could make one with rainbow stripes that light up on rainy days or a design featuring your favourite cartoon or anime characters.

Maybe you could draw animals or scenes from nature to remind people to protect the Earth.

Most umbrellas are made from materials like plastic or nylon, but you can get creative. What if your umbrella was made with silk to feel extra fancy?

Or maybe you’d use recycled materials like old plastic bottles to help the environment.

Chuah Seng Koon, 8

You could even add special features, like a handle that glows in the dark or a canopy that changes colour when it gets wet. How cool is that?

You could even invent new umbrella shapes, like a giant leaf or even one with a clear dome so you can see the rain falling all around you. Your design could make rainy days more fun and colourful for everyone.

So grab your pencil, start sketching, and let your imagination flow! What will your dream umbrella look like?

Recently Starchild asked readers to send in letters on the topic, Umbrella Designer. Here’s what they had to say.

Kelly Ho Kah Yan, 10, prefers to use nylon because it is lightweight.

Kelly Ho Kah Yan, 10

“It also has bamboo for the handle and the tip of the umbrella. I chose bamboo because it is both light and sturdy. The design features a world map, making the umbrella educational as well. This way, we can learn the names of countries around the world just by looking at it.”

“My umbrella is shaped like My Melody, the character created by Japanese company Sanrio. It will be pink, with a sturdy handle that looks like a candy cane. I’ve added a special feature – a whistle attached to the umbrella. This allows the user to blow for help if they are ever in danger or distress,” says Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, nine.

Younger sibling Asher Wang Qi Chuen, seven, writes: “My umbrella is colourful and practical. It has a button to automatically open and another to close it with ease. It is lightweight and perfectly sized to keep children dry during the rain.”

Abhiraami Elavarasan, 10, writes: “The coating of my umbrella is made of nylon. It’s special because it can transform into a large cover, perfect for sunbathing. All you need to do is click a special button on the handle to extend it. I hope you like my design!”

Si Hsien, 9

“I want to create a futuristic umbrella that transforms rainwater into clean drinking water. This invention would be especially useful in areas where it is hard to source clean water,” says Si Hsien, nine.

“My umbrella is made of metal, plastic and artificial leaves. It is durable in all weather conditions. It’s designed to be conveniently installed in both urban and rural areas. It can provide easy shelter from the rain. I love my umbrella,” says Tay Yik Qian, 10.

Eight-year-old Chuah Seng Koon wants a gaming umbrella with six modes.

“The first mode lets the umbrella read minds, while the second predicts your future. The third, called “Immortal Mode,” grants eternal life to you and your loved ones. The fourth is “Protection Mode,” which acts as a shield to keep you safe from enemies. The fifth mode, “Wish Mode,” makes all your wishes come true. And the final, best mode? It helps with homework and even answers exam questions without your teachers noticing.”

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Have you ever wondered what’s out there beyond the Earth? Space is an amazing place full of stars, planets, and galaxies! It’s so big that scientists are still discovering new things every day. There are planets with rings, moons of all sizes and even stars that explode like fireworks. Space is full of mysteries waiting to be explored!

Now, it’s your turn! Can you come up with three fun facts about space? Think about things like the planets, the stars, or even astronauts! Share your fun facts with your Starchild friends!

Email your contributions to [e-mail] by Nov 15. Please put “STARCHILD: All About Space” 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.