If you grew up in Singapore, you’ve probably heard of Popular. It’s the go-to place for all things related to school. This is the place for students to stock up on their stationery, buy materials for school projects, and also a place for parents to get supplementary assessment books or storybooks for their children.
And it’s that time of the year again! The annual Popular Bookfest is back for its 13th edition at Suntec Convention Halls 401 to 406 from Friday (Dec 6) till Dec 15.
For those who’re unfamiliar with this major book festival, Popular Bookfest is not just a normal book fair selling collection of stationeries and series of assessment books. From speciality electronic gadgets to a wide range of supplementary materials (yes, they even have coding products to aid children in learning coding), here are some things you should check out at the Bookfest this year:
Deals, Deals, and More Deals
What’s a book fair without a great deal for books! For all the bookworms out there, here’s some good news. Almost every genre, be it a novel or a cooking book, is going at 20% off. Near the entrance of Hall 403/404, there is even a small display counter where you can find comic books which cost only $1 each!
In conjunction of Popular’s 95th Anniversary celebration, make sure to check out the $9.50 deals section, where books by well-known authors like Dan Brown and John Green are going at $9.50 each. What luck!
Stationery sets are also priced affordably as well, with several different mix-and-match discount offers. Pilot is selling a Joy of Writing Gift Pack, which comes with different pens, markers and highlighters, for only $10. What’s more, it even comes with a free A4 zip case.
And with any single purchase at the 3M Smart Home booth, you’ll get a free play at the AR booth located right beside it as well.
Learning through Technology
There are several technology-based learning options being offered at Popular Bookfest this year as well. We have players like WaWaYaYa JoyReader, which uses Augmented Reality (AR) to help kids learn Chinese. Simply link the AR Magic Ball to your iPad and through their app, kids can learn how to pronounce key vowels and simple words through character cards.
Similarly, there’s Snaplearn, which utilises AR to help kids to pick up scientific concepts such as the digestive system. Visit their booth to try the app out for yourself, it’s an interactive way to facilitate your child’s learning via visuals and technology.
Coding is apparently the ‘in’ skill right now, so it’s never too early for your child to get a head start in this area. Children aged 4 and above can even learn about coding through games with the aid of Cubico and Kamibot! These products offer simple yet effective solutions to help develop your child’s cognitive abilities and understand basic concepts of coding using fun-filled stories and characters.
Snack Heaven
Foodies rejoice! Popular has expanded the snack section for Bookfest this year, and for very good reasons.
Famous for their honey butter almonds, some of the latest flavours of Tom’s Palette almonds are available here at Popular Bookfest. We’re talking about the well-received Tiramisu and Cookies and Cream flavoured almonds.
Temole is a brand which originated from the US specialising in healthy oven-baked chips. For the first time in Singapore, one can get their hands on Temole Baked Chips at Popular Bookfest, and at an affordable price no less. You can buy 3 packs at only $9.90. We tried the chips and they were soo delicious. With flavours ranging from Sour Cream Almond Chips to Chilli Lime Pomegranate Chips, there’s bound to be an option for everyone.
In addition, we really like the spicy kick we get from the newly released Mala flavoured Tao Kae Noi seaweed. And have you heard of the Hainanese Chicken Rice chips which was trending a while back? Tao Kae Noi had joined in the bandwagon of local delightful snacks and now we have Chicken Rice flavoured seaweed too. How interesting!
And as for the secret alcoholics and novelty chasers, don’t forget to grab a couple of Guinness and Jim Beam Whiskey potato chips before leaving.
Last Minute Christmas Shopping
The Popular Bookfest is really not just a place for assessment books, but it is actually a great fair to visit for some last-minute Christmas shopping. From Frozen II merchandise to a new JBL speaker, there’s a variety of gift options to satisfy many out there, including your niece or your audiophile bestie.
The Popular Bookfest will run from 6th Dec to 15th Dec, 10 am to 10 pm daily at Suntec Convention Halls 401 to 406.
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