Cool Crows

Hi readers!

This month in Chirp magazine, we learn about a super smart animal: crows! Crows use cawing sounds to talk to other crows and to scare away predators. Check out this video of a flock of crows cawing to each other.

Back-to-School Books

Hi Chirp friends!

It’s almost time for school to start. If you’re looking for some fun reads to help you prepare and enjoy this exciting time, check out some of the great titles below.

And if your family has any of your own favourite books to recommend, please share them in the comments below. We would love to hear what you are reading!

Have a great school year, everyone.

— Jackie

Indigenous Peoples Day

Hello Owlkids Family!

June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day and although every day is a day to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples, June is a great time to learn more. Here are some things you and your family can do this month!

• Check out a map of Indigenous Territories and languages. Choose a language you are unfamiliar with and research some common words in that language.
• Listen to a retelling of the Anishinaabe Grandfather Teachings.
• Read about some items that were first discovered or invented by Indigenous Peoples.
• Watch a video of Inuit throat singing.
• Read a book told from a perspective that is different from your own.
• Play a memory game and learn about First Nations, Inuit and Métis culture as you play.
• Read about the Ojibwe Peoples of Manitoulin Island in this special issue created by Owlkids and 4Canoes.
• Make colourful collage art inspired by Plains Cree artist George Littlechild.
• Research powwows in your area. If you are a non-Indigenous person, make sure they are open to you and read up on powwow etiquette before attending.

Are there any activities you do with your family to celebrate this holiday? Leave a comment below!

Happy summer, everyone.

— Jackie

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

Family-Friendly Spring Break Activities

Hi, Owlkids Families!

Many of our readers are celebrating March break this month, and many, like my family, will be celebrating our spring break a little late this year. But, we are still SO excited to see the warmer weather approach and are eager to take some time on weekends and after school to get outside and celebrate spring!

Whether your school break is in March or April, we hope you try some of these fun activities below!

• Go on a walk around the neighbourhood and look for tulips blooming or other plants sprouting up from the ground.
• Make dinosaur Easter eggsyou can eat.
• Roll down the biggest hill you can find.
• Bring on the April showers with a fun raincloud experiment.
• Blow bubbles and see how many you can count before they pop.
• Read your copy of Chirp, Chickadee, or OWLoutside.
• Give the birds one last winter treat with this hanging birdseed craft.
• Wash your car or offer to wash someone else’s car by hand.
• Draw a picture of a flower or veggie garden and send it, along with some seeds, to someone far away.
• Put on your rubber boots and have a dance party in the rain.
• Check out some amazing new booksby Canadian authors and illustrators coming out this spring from Owlkids.
• Make a kiteor paper airplane and see if it flies!

BONUS: For more fun activities, download the Owlkids Outdoor Fun Guide here!

Have fun, everyone!

— Jackie