Sybil Nenda talks to Umbrella Thief

An interactive performance of Sybil Wettasinghe's classic, Kuda Hora (Umbrella Thief) conducted by Sulochana Dissanayake will be held at Expographic Bookstore, Pelawatta, on February 9 at 10.30 am.

Love Sybil Wettasinghe's classics? Join Sulochana Dissanayake to watch the timeless stories spring to life with puppets, dialogue, music and movement. These interactive dramatic narrations are for all who are young at heart to experience the stories you love in a brand new, unforgettable manner.

Join us with your family for an ideal adventure to instill the joys of reading and re-live the magic of story-telling of an internationally renowned author. A freelance artist engaged in theater-creation/ education, Sulochana Dissanayake is a graduate of Bates College, USA in Economics and Theater '09 and a Watson Fellow '09/'10 (Thomas J. Watson Foundation, USA). She studied contemporary theater/ puppetry in South Africa/Indonesia and is currently promoting theater as a dynamic tool of communication in educational institutes/corporate organizations while producing original works

An internationally renowned children's author, Sybil Wettasinghe has written and illustrated over 300 stories that have won her numerous national and international awards. Her first book, 'The Umbrella Thief' was published in 1956 and raised the standards for children's literature through intermingling her characteristic illustrations with a charming story that became a Sri Lankan classic.

Sybil Nenda narrating the umbrella thief's story

It won Best Foreign Children's Story (Japan, 1986), Most Popular Children's Book (Tokyo Children's Library, 1987) and was published in 12 countries.

Her 'Vesak Lantern' won the Isobel Hutton Award (Great Britain, 1965) and 'Runaway Beard' won the Best Designed Children's Book (SAARC, 2003). She continues to write and inspire current generations with her love for rural village culture and unique illustrations

Expographic Books Pvt Ltd, opened their new Bookstore at 455, Pannipitiya Road Pelawatta in November 2012.

The Bookstore with a floor area of 5000 square feet offers the book lover a novel experience with a variety of books and stationery.

The bookstore provides a calm atmosphere with relaxing music and comfortable seating arrangements for customers to read and enjoy their favourite books.