Fairy tales come to life

Little princesses and their families enjoy a new traveling exhibit

'I'm queen of the world!" shouted 8-year-old Danielle Schum as she sat upon a throne in the fairy tale exhibit at Hawaii Children's Discovery Center.

'Once Upon a Time' "Exploring the World of Fairy Tales": On display: Through Nov. 30 Hours: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends Place: Hawaii Children's Discovery Center Admission: $8, $5 seniors, $6.75 children to age 17, children under 2 free Call: 524-5437 or visit www.discoverycenterhawaii.org

This sentiment was a familiar one as princesses wandered far and wide, adorned in gowns and crowns.

The new traveling exhibit "Once Upon a Time, Exploring the World of Fairy Tales" brings seven stories to life from around the world -- "Anasi and the Talking Melon," "Beauty and the Beast," "Cinderella," "The Elves and the Shoemaker," "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Lon Po Po" and "Thumbelina."

Volunteers offer storytelling and craft activities. The entire exhibit, also translated into Spanish, is geared for children ages 3 to 10 and their folks.

Dianne Schum, Danielle's mother, enjoyed the creativity and variety of the tales. "It gives them a chance to interact with the stories and not just look at the words," she said. "It is multidimensional. ... Things kind of jump out."

Dianne crawled through the mole tunnel alongside her daughter. "I feel like you can get into character that way; you get the perspective of the character."

Princess Danielle, meanwhile, enjoyed trying on Cinderella's glass slipper and dressing up and posing as Belle from "Beauty and the Beast."

Loretta Yajima, president of the Discovery Center, said the exhibit is meant to encourage imaginative play for children "and allows adults to relive some fond childhood memories, reconnecting them with some all-time favorite fairy tales that they were read when they were children."

Three-year-old Anna Lauren Lerner came to the exhibit dressed as Sleeping Beauty, carrying a Cinderella costume in a bag.

Her mother, Corinne Ching, was pleased with the messages the exhibit was sending kids. "They are learning that goodness and kindness count and that courage will save the day."

The Akau family came from Kapolei so 4-year-old Randell could immerse herself in Cinderella's world, said her mom, Heidi Akau.

Randell's 8-year-old brother, Ransen, favored the "Jack and the Beanstalk" exhibit, which includes a slide. He excitedly recited the story, chatting about magic beans, trading cows and giants.

Besides that, there was just "too much princess stuff" for him.