Diversify Your Family Bookshelf

Hi, Owlkids Families!

I love auditing our family bookshelves to ensure they are filled with stories that represent a variety of different perspectives. It’s great to bring in new books that tell stories that are different from your own and give kids a chance to celebrate our similarities and our differences.

Looking for ways to round out your bookshelf this spring? Check out these eight amazing titles by Asian-Canadian and Asian-American authors and illustrators!

Some books our Owlkids families have been enjoying recently.

Happy reading, everyone!

— Jackie

It’s Black History Month!

Hey readers,

February is known as Black History Month! This month we celebrate all the incredible contributions and breakthroughs that Black people have made throughout history. One way to celebrate is to read and learn about important people, past and present.

Here are some books to read:

• A Likkle Miss Lou by Nadia L. Hohn and illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes
• Oscar Lives Next Door by Bonnie Farmer and Marie Lafrance
• All Aboard! Elijah McCoy’s Steam Engine by Monica Kulling and Illustrated by Bill Slavin
• Nana’s Cold Days by Adwoa Badoe and pictures by Bushra Junaid
• Mayann’s Train Ride by Mayann Francis and Tamara Thiebaux-Heikalo
• Up Home by Shauntay Grant and illustrated by Susan Tooke

Happy reading!

-Mariam, chickadeeblog@owlkids.com

Indigenous History Month

Hi Readers,

June is Indigenous History Month in Canada and June 21st is National Indigenous Peoples Day. It’s the perfect time to learn more about the histories and culture of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples.

A great way to learn about history is by listening to the stories of Indigenous Peoples and by reading books like Spirit Bear: Fishing for Knowledge, Catching Dreams. This book taught me so much!

Another fun way to learn about Indigenous culture is to attend a powwow, where you can watch traditional dances, see handmade regalia, arts and crafts, and try all kinds of different foods. On June 21, be sure to check out this virtual powwow put on by the Winnipeg Art Gallery!

See you at the powwow!

— Jackie, chirp@owlkids.com

Book Review and Contest: Nibi is Water

Hi everyone,

Did you like the story Spring’s Gift in the April issue of Chirp magazine? If so, then you will love Canadian author-illustrator Joanne Robertson’s new book, Nibi is Water.

Nibi means water in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) and this board book is all about how important it is to protect and respect the water of the Earth. You can read along with Joanne’s cute and colourful illustrations of Nibi as she splashes and drips around.

For a chance to WIN a copy of Ibi is Water, comment on this post or email us with your first name, age, and one thing you do to appreciate or protect water.

Good luck!

Contest deadline: May 1, 2020

PLEASE NOTE: Due to Covid-19 restrictions, prizes may be delayed.

See full contest rules and regs here.

Chirp’s Aye-Aye Gets Lucky Contest

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Hey readers,

If you love stories about animals, I highly recommend Aye-Aye Gets Lucky, written by Terri Tatchell and illustrated by Ivan Sulima. This book is about a mischievous aye-aye who loves pulling pranks and spooking the people of  Madagascar! His behaviour and creepy claws earn him a bad reputation, and people start believing he’s bad luck! Then one day, a flying fox gives the aye-aye a taste of his own medicine. The aye-aye learns it’s not so fun to feel scared and realizes he must earn back the people’s trust. I enjoyed how this story is told through rhyming verses and is about an endangered animal native to Madagascar. The additional fun facts about the aye-aye and flying fox and drawing tutorials in the back of the book were pretty neat, too!

To learn more about the aye-aye, read on below!

Aye -Aye Facts

• Aye-ayes live in Madagascar, Africa.
• Aye-ayes are primates and are related to humans.
• Aye-ayes and all lemurs are considered the world’s most endangered mammals.

For a chance to WIN an Aye-Aye Gets Lucky prize pack or a copy of the book, click HERE to fill out your entry.

Contest deadline: January 6, 2019 @11:59 p.m.

Prize courtesy of Endangered and Misunderstood.

For full contest rules and regulations click here.

Good luck, everyone!

-Jenna, chirpblog@owlkids.com