Meet Chirp’s New Illustrator!

Hi readers,

Canadian illustrator Cale Atkinson is now drawing Chirp and his pals in every issue of Chirp Magazine. Let’s get to know Cale!

When did you start drawing?
I’ve been drawing ever since these little mitts of mine could grip a pencil! I was even making and selling comics when I was in grade 5! It’s never too early or too late to start having fun drawing.

What do you when you’re not drawing for Chirp Magazine?
I’m usually busy drawing or writing other fun projects! I’m currently working on a bunch of children’s books (including 3 that I wrote), doing art for video games and whatever other cool projects come my way.  I recently worked with Marvel on a Spider-Man comic which was awesome!

What’s something our readers might be surprised to know about you?
I have a pretty bad addiction to drawing classy animals with moustaches and little top hats. But shhh, don’t tell anyone.

What’s your favourite thing about drawing Chirp and his friends?
I love the fun situations they get into and how they use their imaginations! Hopefully one of these days they can imagine themselves in classy place so I can draw them with moustaches and top hats!

Meet an artist: Elly MacKay

Hi readers,

Did you read the story BOOTS in the December issue of Chirp Magazine? It was done by award-winning author and illustrator Elly MacKay. Let’s get to know Elly!

Elly and her family in the Summer

Do you have a pet like Boots the cat?

I would love to have a pet. We are trying to figure out which type of pet is right for us. My daughter wants a big-eared rat. My son wants a dog. I want a goat. My husband will have to be the tie-breaker!

What inspired you to write the December Chirp story about Boots the cat?

We used to have a cat that visited us quite often. He looked like Boots. He was a great little cat. When winter came he stopped coming to see us. I imagined this story of his first encounter with snow. I hope he will come for a visit again when spring comes.

What is your favourite thing about winter?

I love hiking through the forest in the snow… everything looks so magical! I like the way the icicles hang from the branches, how the sun makes the snow sparkle, and how the bird songs are so clear in the winter air.

Happy winter everyone! Enjoy the December issue of Chirp.

Jackie, chirpblog@owlkids.com

Meet an Author: Troy Wilson

Hi everyone,

Troy Wilson wrote the story From Wee-Rex to T-Rex in the November issue of Chirp Magazine. Let’s get to know Troy!

Troy Wilson

Do you have any pets?

Not right now, but I had cats and dogs when I was a kid.

Do you know any pets that do a funny tricks?

My parents had a dog named Webster. One night, Webster heard someone on TV say “Goodnight” so he hopped off the couch and went to bed. He learned what the word meant all by himself! From that night onward, when it was time for bed, my parents would say “Goodnight”, and Webster went to bed.

What inspired you to write the story From Wee-Rex to T-Rex?

At first I wasn’t quite sure what to do for the dog issue. Then I was visiting schools in Nanaimo, BC, so I asked the students for ideas. Keon Athey of Rutherford Elementary suggested I write about “a dog who wanted to be a dinosaur”. That turned out to be the idea Chirp liked best, so that’s the one I wrote. Thanks, Keon!

What’s your favourite thing to write about?

I was going to answer that I don’t have a favourite thing to write about. But then I took a closer look at the ten stories I’ve written for kids’ magazines – and guess what? Seven of those stories are about animals. Plus, my next book is called The Duck Says, and it features a duck, a horse, some geese, some turtles, some pigs, and some bees. So maybe my favourite subject is animals.

Thanks Troy! Happy reading, everyone!

Jackie, chirpblog@owlkids.com

Hi, Opie!

Are you starting a new school in September? I visited a kindergarten class and met a very unique boy named Opie! Opie loves going to school. Check out this video of me and Opie:

What part of school are you most excited about? Leave a comment or send me an email!

Jackie, chirpblog@owlkids.com

Welcome Back, Jackie!

Hi everyone,

Jackie is back from having her baby and is ready to start making Chirp Magazine again. And I’m off to spend the summer at home with my kids, jumping on the trampoline and going on camping trips. I’ve had an amazing year getting to know many of you through your incredible art and letters. It’s been a ton of fun!

Let’s learn more about Jackie!

Katherine: Do you have a nickname?

Jackie: I have lots of nicknames! Hot Rod is my favourite. My friend Andy gave me that name because sometimes I walk very fast and Hot Rod cars are known for being speedy. Speedy is actually another one of my nicknames!

Katherine: What’s the best part about working at Chirp Magazine?

Jackie: I love deciding which jokes to put in each issue! And it’s always fun to get letters from readers.

Katherine: What’s your favourite colour?

Jackie: Blue

You can ask Jackie more questions any time by commenting on this page or by sending her an email at chirpblog@owlkids.com.

Thanks for a wonderful year, everyone!

Katherine, chirpblog@owlkids.com

Photo: Tracey Jacklin