How many of you get irritated or even scolded when you’re writing and sharpening your pencil, only for the shavings to scatter all over the place? I certainly do. I get annoyed, and then I get scolded, too.

I even tried keeping a box to put the pencil shavings in, but that idea didn’t work either, because once the box tipped over and the shavings scattered all over the place. That’s when I started thinking about making something myself. So I came up with the idea of creating a simple craft that would not only help me with my homework, but also keep all the shavings in one place. I could just throw them away once it was full. Honestly, it turned out to be so useful that I’m really glad I made it.

The best part is that you only need a few things to create this handy little craft.

Let’s get started:

1. Any plastic container, a small jar (you can use glass, but the safe is plastic)

2. A scissor or screw

3. Marker

4. Pencil sharpener

5. Elfy or hot glue

6. Glitter paper or sticker for decoration

Directions:

1. Mark the centre of the jar lid. This is where you will make a hole; picture 2.

2. If you don’t have a soldering iron, you can use scissors or a screw to make a hole in the lid from the inside, according to the size of the sharpener you are going to attach. Make sure you take help from an adult for this step; pictures 3 and 4.

3. Use a slim pencil sharpener (not a fancy one) and fix it over the hole using hot glue or Elfy. You may need help from an adult here as well; pictures 5 and 6.

4. Now for the fun part. You can decorate your jar however you like: use markers to draw patterns or stick on stickers, glitter sheets or anything you prefer; see pictures 7 and 8.

This simple yet handy craft is truly useful. You can carry it to school or keep one at home. All your pencil shavings will stay in one place, so you won’t feel irritated or get scolded anymore!

The writer can be contacted at ithecraftman@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 11th, 2026

“Little Miss Sunshine, what are your plans for the holidays?” Dado tenderly asked Kubra, her 15-year-old granddaughter.

“I have decided, Dado, I will learn how to play the violin and start playing more basketball so I can beat your least favourite athlete,” Kubra said, gazing towards her brother.

“Okay, let’s have a quick match,” the 13-year-old Hassan said.

“No, Hassan, I am so tired,” Kubra replied calmly.

A playful commotion followed as the siblings argued over various things while their grandparents took sides. The room was filled with laughter.

The summer vacation had just begun. Kubra had given her last CAIE exam and felt relieved and happy to finally spend more time with her family and hobbies.

The next day, after breakfast, Kubra decided to help her mum in the kitchen, but realised she wasn’t there. She looked everywhere and finally found her in the storeroom upstairs.

“What’s happening, Mum? What are you doing here?” Kubra asked.

“I just thought this room needs a bit of cleaning.”

“No, Mum, not a bit, it needs a lot of cleaning.”

Together, they began sorting things, placing unnecessary items in one pile and useful ones in another.

While they were busy, her mum’s phone rang and she stepped away to answer it. In the meantime, Kubra’s eyes fell on a dull yellowish-brown box. It didn’t look very old, but it seemed forgotten. After a little struggle, she finally opened it.

What she found was completely unexpected, her long-forgotten collection of short storybooks, Montessori postcards and autographs from friends she barely remembered. She sat there for a while, unable to recall the names of teachers she once thought were a big part of her life. Nostalgia filled her and she was mesmerised by this treasure of memories and knowledge.

Ever since she was little, her parents had read her a story every night. That was how her love for reading began, a love now slowly replaced by screens.

Kubra carried the heavy box downstairs, left it in her room and rushed back. After cleaning the storeroom, the day went on as usual, but Kubra eagerly waited for the night.

After dinner, she said goodnight and began taking out the books. She already had a bookshelf in her study corner, so she had never really thought about these old stories.

The books reminded her of something her history teacher once said — knowledge becomes valuable when it is shared. Kubra decided to sell them and went to sleep.

The next morning, she showed the books to her dad and told him her plan. He disagreed. He said selling them didn’t make sense; instead, she should donate them to those who needed them more.

Kubra, however, felt selling them would give her some business experience.

That evening, when her dad returned, he asked if she had changed her mind.

“Yes, Dad. I was being silly. They are old, but still useful. I will gift them to children who love to read,” she said.

“Let’s place them outside Rahim Chacha’s bookstore, opposite The Book Bank. I am sure he’ll let you. Any child can pick a book for free,” Hassan suggested.

“You’ve got brains, Hassan!” Kubra exclaimed.

Rahim Chacha’s bookstore was on the main boulevard behind their house, surrounded by gift shops and flower stores. They had been going there since they were very young.

The next morning, the siblings took the box to Rahim Chacha and asked if they could place the books outside his shop.

Being kind and considerate, he agr­eed. They made a banner that read, “Gifts for the intellectually curious!”

They arranged the books neatly on a stand, giving the place an old-world charm. They also placed a small money box for anyone who wished to contribute.

The children sat there for a couple of hours, then returned home. They visited every day, and within a week, the stand was empty.

“Well done, kids! You’ll be amazed, not just children, but parents and even grandparents picked up books and left money in the box,” Rahim Chacha said.

“Congratulations, Kubee! Your collection finally served a good purpose,” Hassan added.

That day, Kubra went home truly happy. It was then she decided that when she grew up, she would open a bookstore of her own — “Kubra and Company”.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 11th, 2026

Ever wondered what questions you might have had when you were told to go to school for the first time? Or what questions might arise in the minds of children when they are told about this new chapter in their lives?

Lauren Child’s I am TOO absolutely small for school not only presents those, but also answers that will surely convince a child to go to school.

The boardbook revolves around two siblings, Charlie and Lola, who have a discussion about the pros and cons of school, with the relatively more experienced Charlie talking about the pros and Lola about the cons. It is interesting to note that Charlie isn’t much older than Lola, but since he believes school has done good for him, he tackles the subject impressively.

When Charlie tells her that Lola would be able to count if she attends school, she says that since she can already count from one to ten, she doesn’t need to go. She even says that school would distract her from her very busy schedule at home, and rejects the idea of reading because, in her mind, when you have a telephone, you should know how to speak instead of write.

Charlie explains to his sister that not everyone has a telephone and nothing is more important than learning new things with friends. Talking of friends, Lola doesn’t want to dress like others in school, doesn’t want to eat alone and is worried about her invisible friend Soren Lorensen.

Charlie tells her that she can wear what she wants, take lunch from home and be there for his friend, who might be more nervous than her.

The illustrations help you understand the discussion between the siblings; even though Charlie wins the argument in the end, Lola’s points are also valid.

Boardbooks are usually full of fun and games, but this one is both imaginative and informative. It helps us understand that going to school should be appreciated, because it is the one place where you learn things that even parents may not be able to teach you.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 11th, 2026