I’m so happy to be joining the Owlkids team! I remember reading the magazines when I was a kid, and to be able to help contribute to Chirp, Chickadee, and OWL is a dream come true.
To tell you a little bit more about me, here are some fun facts:
Favourite movie growing up:
Matilda – I loved that she was a bookworm like me, but I always wished I had her superpowers!
Favourite thing to do:
Read, of course! I also really like making jewelry, especially bracelets.
My favourite story to read growing up:
The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater. It was the funniest book I read as a kid and also really special because my mom would always read it to me.
If I could pick any superpower:
I’d want to be able to fly!
What I’m looking forward to most about joining Owlkids:
I’m looking forward to learning all about magazines and what goes on behind the scenes during the editorial process. I’m also excited to work with everyone on the team who are all so much fun to be around!
Disney on Ice presents Dream Big has come to Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena this weekend! The ice show extravaganza features many Disney characters skating to their famous songs. The theme of the show is all about dreams coming true. In this show, you’ll see Moana and Maui, Aladdin and Jasmine, Miguel from Coco, Rapunzel from Tangled, Ariel and Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid, Anna, Elsa, and Olaf from Frozen, and many more!
Today Chirp reader, Hazel, 3, got to see the first show. We asked her what she loved about it:
What was your favourite part? Seeing how all the dreams came true for the princesses.
Who were your favourite skaters? Elsa, Belle, and Ariel.
What was your favourite song?
“Let it Go” from Frozen.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Hazel!
To see if Disney on Ice is coming to a city near you, click HERE, and find out what it’s like to be a Disney on Ice performer by clicking HERE.
We spoke with author Kristen Calis about her story Scaredy Cat, which appeared in the October issue of Chirp! This fun rhyming story is about a black cat named Pepper who learns to overcome his fears on Halloween.
Read on to learn more about Kristen (including her favourite Halloween costume) and her story!
What inspired you to write Scaredy Cat?
I was inspired to write Scaredy Cat because I know some people are superstitious and believe black cats are bad luck. I have a black cat named Henri, and I know they are anything but.
Do you have any pets at home?
I have three cats: Kinsey, Henri, and King.
When did you start writing stories?
This is my very first published story, but I have been writing for fun ever since I was little.
What was your favourite Halloween costume growing up?
My favourite costume was Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. I loved wearing the ruby slippers.
Do you have any advice for young writers?
My advice is to write every day, even if it’s just a couple of sentences.
Thanks so much, Kristen!
Readers, you can listen to an audio version of this story (read by the author herself!), by clicking HERE.
When Fred Penner found out a beagle (also named Fred Penner!) was in need of a home, he spread the word on social media. We are happy to report Fred Penner the dog has been adopted.
In celebration of Pet Month, we caught up with the beloved children’s entertainer to talk about the importance of animals in our lives and his music.
It’s great news that Fred Penner the beagle has found a home! How did you feel when you first saw the advertisement for Fred Penner the dog to be adopted?
Over the years, I’ve known people who’ve named their animals Fred, but never anyone who gave their pet my full name. Seeing Fred Penner the beagle was a surprise, and I was excited to learn that around 20 people called in to adopt him. I thought that was wonderful, how beautiful for people to do that.
Did you have any pets growing up?
My family had birds, a budgie named Peter, and when I was about 10 years old, we had a couple of chickens. Over the years, we had lots of cats and a couple of dogs. We had many pets in our world.
Fred Penner the beagle – photo courtesy of Sympathetic Ear Animal Rescue Society
You have many songs that are about animals (one of my favourites is about a cat!). How have animals influenced your music?
Along with “The Cat Came Back,” “Poco,” and “Little White Duck,” there have been many songs I’ve done over the years not just about pets, but about animals. I like observing how animals move throughout the world and listening to the sounds they make. I love watching animals because they have things to teach us about focus, energy, and concentration. When you’re caring for an animal, you have to pay attention.
What is your favourite animal?
I love dogs and I love cats, especially their aloof quality. Cats are their own individuals and will do what they want, when they want to. You just have to provide them with food, water, and a litter box, and they’re ready to crawl into your lap and give you warmth and affection.
Do you have any advice for kids who want to adopt a pet?
Animals might be really cute and cuddly when they’re small, but they require lots of care. It’s really up to the parents and the whole family to take on that responsibility. When you do have a pet, learn how to take care of that animal to the best of your ability because they are relying on you and only you.
Pets are an important part of our lives. They teach us love, responsibility, and how to care for one other. I think we learn many important lessons when we have a pet to take care of, whether it’s a rescued animal or from a litter in the neighbourhood. Animals need love as much as anybody.
Thanks so much, Fred!
To learn more about Fred Penner and hear about his upcoming events, be sure to visit fredpenner.com.
Today we caught up with the talented Geraldo Valério. He is an author, illustrator and the creator of “Art on the Fly,” a colourful story that appeared in the March issue of Chirp! We asked Geraldo to finish some fun sentences for us. Here are his answers.
1. When I was a kid, my favorite thing to draw was locomotives. My father worked for the railroad company. I was always amazed by those huge and noisy machines. I used to make simple drawings of locomotives with rectangles, triangles, squares and circles. That’s how I learned about shapes.
2. My hidden talent is baking. I love making all kinds of cakes—chocolate, lemon and coconut. Baking any kind of cake brings me great joy. The best part is eating them. I could eat cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
3. My favorite way to eat eggs is scrambled with peppers and herbs from my garden. Sprinkling some cheese on top doesn’t hurt.
4. A perfect day is spent in my studio creating my books. I really enjoy every part of making a book—from the first drafts and sketches to the final art. Best of all, I like sitting at my desk cutting paper, arranging coloured shapes and making collages.
5. The best way to end my day is going to a yoga class to move and stretch my body and calm my mind. After I have my dinner, I relax on the sofa reading a book or magazine until sleep comes.
6. My favorite books are all kinds of art books, history and nature books and novels and memoirs. I am very passionate about picture books.
7. My heroes are my friends. We have been together for so long through many moments of happiness and sadness. I’m never alone because I have great friends.
8. What I love most about being an artist is telling stories with beautiful and engaging images.
9. My advice for young artists is to get to know what really excites and motivates you to be creative. Find time in your day to work on your ideas and work every day of the week. Soon, you will realize this is the best time of your day. I love working!
Thanks so much, Geraldo!
Readers, if this interview has you feeling inspired, send us photos of your artwork for a chance to be featured on the Chirp blog! You can send the images to chirpblog@owlkids.com.
Hey readers,
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