Chances are we’re not the only yoyos who fondly remember reading Owl Magazine in our youth. Or perhaps you were more of a ChickaDEE or Chirp devotee?  Whatever your feather, we suspect it’ll make you feel nostalgic to learn that Owl Kids is turning 35 this year. That’s 35 years of interesting and award-winning magazines and books for Canadian kids.

So how are they celebrating? Every 2011 issue of OWL Magazine will be featuring a birthday-themed short story by a well-know author, think Kenneth Oppel, Cary Fagan, Carol Matas, Arthur Slade, Susan Nielson, and Shane Peacock. And they’ve just released a special 35th birthday edition of their bestselling book You Asked?, answers to nearly 350 of the best questions on science, technology, outer space, and plants and animals submitted over the years by inquisitive readers of ChickaDEE and OWL magazine. And the June birthday blow-out issue of OWL comes out later this month.

How can you celebrate what we think of as a bit of a Canadian kid institution? How about acquainting your kids with their magazines, aimed at kids from 3-13? Or exploring their book offerings full of fun facts for curious kids? Or take a whirl through their site where you’ll  find activities and printables for the preschool to tween set – including word games, knock knock jokes (because what parent doesn’t want to hear more of those?!) and science experiments for older kids – plus plenty of  contests.

Currently we’re enjoying May’s  money-oriented issue of ChickaDEE. If one of your goals is to help teaching your kids about fiscal responsibility – or just that a nickel is worth less than a dime even though it’s bigger – than this issue is a great start. And you can use the magazine as a further learning opportunity by suggesting your tot takes it out from the library, or purchases it from their own savings.

When we think about OWL Kids we get the same feeling as get when we think about Mr. Dressup or the Friendly Giant: National Pride combined with childhood nostalgia. And we want to pass that – and a sense of curiosity about the world – onto our own kids.

OWL Kids: owlkids.com