chickaDEE Exclusive: Chris Tougas Interview

Hi chickaDEE Readers!

Author Chris Tougas recently talked to chickaDEE about the writing process. Chris wrote the fiction story “Gotta Fly” in the October buggy issue of chickaDEE. His story was so funny, as were the characters. Here’s what Chris had to say about it:

Q: Is it hard to write a funny story?

A: I like humourous writing because humour usually has a punch line or pay-off.  I usually find an idea that excites me and then think of how to wrap the story up in a rewarding way. After that, it’s a matter of writing the meat of the story – the middle. If I have a strong idea and a good ending, the writing usually happens quite easily.

Q: What do you need to know before writing and illustrating a story?

A: I usually spend a day or two researching the subject matter of my stories before I start a project. In the case of “Gotta Fly”, I did a lot of of reading about both spiders and flies and found out all sorts of interesting things. But when it came time to write the story, I decided to leave some those fun things out in favour of just writing a fun story. It became less about the spiders and flies and more about two characters who have very different approaches to life.

Those are some great writing tips! Thanks Chris!

Until next time,

Natalia

Editor of chickaDEE

You Are Stardust Book Review

Hi Readers,

Owlkids Books has a great new book out called You Are Stardust by Elin Kelsey. It tells the story of how we are all connected to each other and to Earth. You can read about what a tiny speck of dust has to do with water, sneezing, and dinosaurs!

I really liked that this book talks about the Earth as a living thing. The author breaks down big ideas into a simple, beautifully told story.

Along with the story is artwork by Soyeon Kim. Instead of illustrating the story with pen and ink, Soyeon made dioramas for each scene. A diorama is a frame, like a shoebox, that you fill with miniature models of people, places, and things.

Soyoen used all different kinds of materials to make the models, like tissue paper, fishing wires, and flowers. Each page looks kind of like a 3D movie!

Try making your own diorama using a shoebox and things around the house. Send us pictures of your dioramas at chickadeeblog@owlkids.com.

Have a great fall weekend!

Ashley

Editorial Assistant of chickaDEE

Amazing Apple Recipe

Photo: Dreamstime

Hi Readers!

October is Apple Month and with good reason! They’re crisp, colourful and fun to pick. I like to call them “nature’s candy”, because they’re also super sweet and good for you!

To celebrate this fantastic fruit, I thought I’d share a baked apple recipe. Just remember to ask a parent for help!

You’’ll need:
– firm apple
– 30 mL (2 tbsp.) jam
– 15 mL (1 tbsp.) apple juice

1. Ask a parent to core and peel the apple.

2. Fill the middle of the apple with jam.

3. Add the apple juice to a microwave-safe dish.

4. Put the apple in the middle of the dish, then microwave on high for six minutes.

5. Let the apple cool for a few minutes, then dig in!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do if you make it!

Bye for now!

Melissa
Assistant Editor of chickaDEE

Happy World Rainforest Week

Hi Readers!

World Rainforest Week promotes awareness about different rainforests around the world and why there are important.

The largest rainforest in the world is the Amazon rainforest. It runs through most of Brazil, but you can also find it in parts of Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Guyana, Bolivia, Suriname and French Guiana.

Did you know there are over two million insects that live in rainforests? It’s true! But that’s not all. Scientist believe there are millions more still to be discovered!

This is one of the reasons why rainforests are really important. They provide homes to plants, animals and some indigenous people. The plants and trees also provide oxygen to Earth, and a quarter of these plants are used for modern medicine.

Another fun fact is that much of the food we eat today like bananas, nuts and spices come from rainforests.

This is why we need to protect them and make the world aware about why they matter. Rainforests are in trouble. The number of rainforests in the world is down from 14% to 6%.

How do you think we can help? Send your ideas to chickadeeblog@owlkids.com.

See you later.
Ashley
chickaDEE Team

Reader Art of the Week

Hi Readers!

It’s time for another edition of Reader Art of the Week! Since Halloween is creeping its way closer I thought I’d show off a spook-tacular piece of artwork.

This one comes from chickaDEE reader, Sam!

It looks like Chick and Dee are suited up in their costumes and about to go trick-or-treating! It’s a bit hard to tell what Dee is supposed to be, but Chick looks like a bunny to me!

Nice one, Sam!

Are you dressing up this year? Leave a comment below about your costume!

Until next time, have a fright-tastic Friday and ma-ha-ha-ha-arvelous weekend.

None spooky note: remember to send in your art submissions to: chickadeeblog@owlkids.com.

Melissa

Assistant Editor of chickaDEE