Fun With Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants turns 25, Prophecy Of The Underworld books
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Launched on Nickelodeon on July 17 in 1999, animated series SpongeBob SquarePants is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
PHOTO: 2024 VIACOM
Follow topic:
SINGAPORE – Make family time all the more special with these ideas and activities.
SpongeBob SquarePants turns 25
Animated series SpongeBob SquarePants is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Launched on Nickelodeon on July 17 in 1999, the titular character and his undersea friends, such as Patrick Star, have become some of the world’s most recognised cartoon stars.
The series has been translated into more than 30 languages.
“SpongeBob SquarePants combines creator Stephen Hillenburg’s love of the ocean with his passion for animation and love of quirky character comedy,” American actor Tom Kenny, who voices SpongeBob, said in a press statement.
“From its first splash, SpongeBob has resonated with people of all ages, and I’m truly grateful to celebrate 25 years of positivity, optimism and nautical nonsense.”
SpongeBob SquarePants and his undersea friends, such as Patrick Star, are some of the world’s most recognised cartoon stars.
PHOTO: 2024 VIACOM
To mark the series’ silver jubilee, Nickelodeon will roll out anniversary specials throughout the year. It will also release new episodes from July 22 to Aug 2 on weekdays at 5.30pm.
Look out for shorts – featuring favourite moments from the series and behind-the-scenes clips – on Facebook, Instagram and Douyin.
Prophecy Of The Underworld books
Low Ying Ping with her Prophecy Of The Underworld fantasy-adventure novel series.
PHOTO: LOW YING PING
Julian Kee wants nothing more than to be a normal teenager in Singapore. How will he perform when he is randomly chosen to save the world from chaos?
The teen and his sidekicks find themselves embarking on missions in fantasy-adventure novel series Prophecy Of The Underworld by local author Low Ying Ping.
The third and final instalment, The Twin Blades Of Doom ($17.90), has recently hit bookstores, including Books Kinokuniya and Epigram Bookshop. Published by Penguin Random House SEA, the series is recommended for children aged nine to 13, but the titles have drawn adult readers too.
As with the previous two titles released in 2022 and 2023, Low kept the latest story fast-paced and humorous.
“The series is inspired by books and movies about heroes going on quests, especially fantasy ones, and game books that I played when I was young, such as Lone Wolf and GrailQuest,” the 46-year-old told The Straits Times.
Low also wrote the Mount Emily novel series (2016 to 2017). It won several book awards and inspired a Channel 5 drama series, Mount Emily: Guardians Of The Crystal (2019), starring Gurmit Singh and Suhaimi Yusof.
Playeum’s Open Minds, Open Doors
Families with kids who have diverse learning needs can join play sessions under Playeum’s Open Minds, Open Doors programme.
PHOTOS: PLAYEUM
Kids with diverse learning needs, aged nine and below, can look forward to a series of free play sessions. Their neurotypical siblings and parents are invited to join in too.
These will be held on selected Saturdays between July 27 and Nov 30 at Caregivers Pod at Enabling Village in Redhill and b_together family club space in Dempsey.
Parents will learn how to support their children’s learning through play activities under non-profit Playeum’s Open Minds, Open Doors programme. It is held in partnership with Arts of the Earth Learning Hub founder Esther Joosa and funded by the President’s Challenge.
Dr Joosa will also lead online workshops for parents.
Open Minds, Open Doors began in 2019 and has had several iterations. Register at str.sg/pvHM
