How best to celebrate World Book Day? With books!

World Book Day was this week (March 3), a day dedicated to books and all of the people that go into creating books—like authors, illustrators, editors and publishers. An important day, right?  How did you spend yours?

Obviously, I read.

Remember that book RAVENOUS I told you about? Well, I powered through it this week and it was FANTASTIC. It’s kind of a Hansel & Gretel retelling, featuring a witch that travels in a hut with chicken feet. I know, weird. RAVENOUS is a great follow-up to the author’s first novel, MONSTROUS. I loved it.

Speaking of books I loved, I also picked up a new copy of WONDER by R.J. Pelacio. I’ve read it so many times that the cover looks like it was run over by Grandpa’s tractor. It’s about a 10-year-old boy named August who is born with a terrible facial abnormality. I’d recommend this heartwarming story to ANYone. In fact, I’m going to read it again this weekend. It’s THAT good.

And since I’m a bit behind on the number of books I want to read in 2016, I’m going to the library to see what’s new on the shelves. Do you have any recommendations for me? Leave them in the comments below.

Gotta jet! Have a great weekend.

— Chase Superman Duffy

The "Grimm" side of fairy tales

It’s no secret I like stories that are kind of spooky—one of my favourite authors is R.L. Stine, who writes the Fear Street and Goosebumps series. So when my Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Kratky, told us to research fairy tales for Tell a Fairy Tale Day (today!), I was surprised—and excited—to learn that most classic fairy tales have a “dark side.”

I know what you’re thinking—every fairy tale ends with a happily-ever-after, right? In the beginning, they didn’t. In fact, early fairy tales—like Snow White, Cinderella, etc.—weren’t even written for kids! Especially the stories written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, the famous Grimm brothers.

Take Snow White, for instance. In the Grimm version of the tale, Snow White’s mother was the “wicked” one, and it wasn’t just her heart she wanted—it was her lungs and liver, too! Not quite the Disney version I’ve watched with my sister, Amelia over and over again. <groan>

Probably unsurprising then, the Grimm brothers were criticized for writing stories that even I, for one, would never read to my little sister. After all, no one wants a bedtime story that gives them nightmares…

Well, except me, maybe. <he he>

Gotta jet! I’m writing my own fairy tale in class today, and THEN, I need to select which story to read Amelia tonight. Maybe Rapunzel…that one’s safe, right? See you next week!

— Chase Superman Duffy

Ready to run? Me too! But first...

I get it. The weather’s been fantastic—sunny, warm, melting snow everywhere. It’s almost deceiving, as though spring might be just around the corner. It’s true, the groundhog predicted it…but this IS Alberta.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t trade in your indoor shoes for those brand new kicks you got for Christmas…erm, or was that just me? It just means there are a few extra safety precautions to think about.

So, with the temperatures hovering just below or above zero for the next few days, I thought I’d share some running wisdom, as passed on to me from my coach.

1. Don’t run alone. I know, I know. I like the peace and quiet too, or the sound of music pumping through my headphones. But there’s still ice out there, and if you slip and hurt yourself—well, you want to make sure there’s someone there to help you.
2. Speaking of slipping, shorten your strides and keep your feet low to the ground. That’s the best way to avoid an accident if you hit an icy patch. It’s also easier on your muscles if you’re just getting back on the program.
3. Dress for the weather. Sounds silly, but even though it looks warm out there, you should still layer up—think about windbreakers, hoodies or running jackets that wick moisture – ideal, which is why one of these is on my birthday wish list- for instance.
4. Don’t forget your water bottle. It’s easy to forget to hydrate when you’re running in cooler temperatures, but it’s just as important. Not sure what can happen if you drink too much—or too little—water? Check out the Superman Duffy comic, TRANSPIRATION!
5. Be seen. Even if you’re heading out at first light, you should wear reflective gear or a flashing vest. You want cars to see you.

I know it sounds like a lot, but it’s worth it. Running at this time of year means you won’t overheat like in the middle of summer, and the paths are quiet. Of course, if the temperature takes a turn for the worse (like I said, this IS Alberta), you can continue your training in an indoor facility. Spring will come soon enough!

Gotta jet! Be safe out there.

— Chase Superman Duffy