Play a Snow Game

Hi Readers,

Try this fun winter activity!

1. Make three snowballs and set them aside.
2. Use a stick to draw a line in the snow.
3. Stand back and try to toss your snowballs over the line!

Have fun playing outside in the snow!

Jackie, Chirp Editor

Recipe: Frozen Hot Chocolate

Hi Readers,

Looking for a cool winter treat? Try this yummy recipe for frozen hot chocolate!

You’ll need:

• 250 mL (1 cup) milk
• 30 mL (2 tbsp) hot chocolate mix
• 250 mL (1 cup) ice cubes
• chocolate sprinkles or candy cane pieces
• blender

1. Put all the ingredients in the blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a chilled glass, decorate with chocolate sprinkles or candy cane pieces.
3. Dig in!

Send us a photo of you sipping on your winter recipe! We’ll try to post some photos on the Chirp Family Fun page. Send your photo along with your name and age to: chirp@owlkids.com

Jackie, Chirp Editor

Movie Review: Happy Feet 2

Hi Readers!

I just saw Happy Feet Two. This 3-D sequel is about a shy, young penguin who finds his voice (and his happy, dancing feet) when his penguin community gets trapped in an ice pocket and is in need of help.

Here are some things I liked about the movie:

1. The animation and 3-D effects were amazing. It really feels like you are right there in the Arctic with the penguins.
2. The penguins are really cute, especially the fluffy babies!
3. The song and dance numbers are fun and will get you up and moving.

Here are some things I would warn parents about:

1. There is a some name-calling and up-aged vocabulary.
2. The concept of death is brought up a few times.

You can watch the movie trailer here:

Jackie, Chirp Editor

Happy Children’s Day!

Hi Readers,

November 20th is Children’s Day! Can you believe it? A whole day just for YOU! If you and your family are looking for something fun to do to celebrate this special day, try one of these activities:

1. Donate money or gifts to a children’s charity.
2. Have a neighbourhood party and invite all your friends and even some children you don’t yet know.
3. Ask your school to organize a festival or school trip to celebrate this day.
4. Wrap up an old toy or book and give it to a child who might not have a lot of books or toys.
5. Visit your local community centre or childcare centre to see what fun events they have planned.

Have fun being a kid this weekend!

Jackie, Chirp Editor

Meet a Chirp Author and Illustrator

Hi Readers,

Canadian author and illustrator Mike Boldt wrote the story in this month’s issue of Chirp. We asked Mike a few questions about his job.

1. Mike, when did you start drawing?

I started drawing when I was 6 yrs old, around the time I started school. I used to take out How to Draw books from the library and scribble for hours!

2. What is your favourite thing to draw?

I love to draw the same things I did when I was a kid: animals, people, made-up creatures and places. I enjoy drawing funny things you don’t normally see, like an alligator wearing a hat.

3. What is your favourite thing to tell kids who want to be story illustrators?

If you are drawing pictures that tell a story, then you already are an illustrator! Now you just need to practise. Draw all the time and draw lots of things. And read lots of books to get your imagination going.

4.What were your favourite books when you were young?

I loved reading books by Bill Peet, a Disney animator, and Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin and Hobbes. They had a huge impact on my imagination.

Check out Mike’s website to see what other projects he’s working on: http://www.boldtmanstudios.com/gallery/

Keep on reading!

Jackie, Chirp Editor