At a meeting with the Brave Pirates, a group of 21 preschoolers from Zielona Nibylandia, the author told the children the beginning of her fairy tale about a girl who grew a hump because she was raised without words of love, but had many duties and tasks to complete. Matylda, the heroine of “Garbuska,” ran away from home with one mysterious suitcase and wanted to reach a witch who could make all dreams come true. The girl dreamed of being beautiful and loved by people. In her suitcase she carried a great gift from her parents, about which she knew nothing.
The children liked the excerpt from the fairy tale very much. The preschoolers talked about their various dreams: millions of LEGO bricks, thousands of toy tanks, a ride in the fastest car in the world, a nice kitten to cuddle, and journeys around the world. After the discussion, the preschoolers were asked to draw their own wish-granting machine. The ideas for the magical device were extraordinary in themselves. Many colorful and interesting drawings of machines were created. After wishes were written on a panel, spoken into a microphone, or a head was put into a suitable opening, the machines produced fulfilled dreams.
Zielona Nibylandia is a place where children make their dreams come true and take part in many attractive extracurricular activities: modern dance, general development gymnastics, English, swimming, and the recurring ceramic project Glinolandia. Every day at the preschool, the teachers use the innovative program of Lev Vygotsky, the Russian scholar who developed a program fostering children’s learning skills. At Zielona Nibylandia, children learn through play how to be a constructor, painter, mathematician, or actor. The preschool provides access to a psychologist and a speech therapist. From January, two new groups are being opened.
Workshops featuring Grażyna Hanaf’s fairy tales
The workshops are free of charge. They last from one hour (in preschools) to one and a half hours (in primary schools). They consist of a discussion with the children, games and activities, a presentation of a fairy tale, and art sessions integrating the class and promoting reading. After the session, fairy tales can be purchased at attractive prices, with a dedication and the author’s autograph. Contact: gh@istotne.pl or tel. 792-177-320
Opinions on the workshops featuring the fairy tales “Garbuska” and “Dziewczynka-skrzynka”
The workshops are different from lessons: relaxed and natural. The children reacted very vividly; they were sincere and active and expressed their emotions openly. I believe that addressing fear and anxiety is very necessary. The awareness that everyone experiences these feelings was quite surprising for the children. The art activities accompanying the reading and discussion allowed the children to be active and creative, while also having a therapeutic effect. They enabled the children to confront their fears in a sense of safety and community with the group. The children liked the fairy tale very much and come to the library looking for it. There are queues to borrow it. I would recommend these activities to all primary schools because, in addition to their therapeutic effect, they also help integrate the class.
Elżbieta Szczegodzińska (Library at Primary School No. 3 in Bolesławiec)For several years, my students have had the opportunity to take part in interesting workshops conducted by Grażyna Hanaf. The sessions are unconventional and full of emotion. The author bases them on her fairy tales “Garbuska” and “Dziewczynka-skrzynka.” The children eagerly participate in the meetings; the characters’ adventures draw them into a land full of fantasy, based on friendship, love, and security. They show the problem of exclusion but build faith in other people. The workshops help children understand themselves. During the workshops, the children open up and talk about their own feelings; those who are more shy have the opportunity to express themselves through drawing and interpersonal activities. Ms. Grażyna knows how to reach children; she is open, cheerful, and positive, and tactfully explains and handles various, even difficult, questions and situations. I recommend activities with Grażyna Hanaf.
Monika Grzyb, coordinator of the “All of Poland Reads to Kids” program (Primary School No. 2 in Bolesławiec).I consider the meeting with the author extremely important for many reasons. Undoubtedly, we experienced something unusual: a meeting with a writer and an opportunity to learn about her work. The most valuable part was the discussion about emotions—fear, anxiety, and courage. We all unanimously agreed that we would like more activities like this.
Adrian Pich (Sybiraks Middle School in Jerzmanki)