OWL December 2023

Those are the two words that come to mind when I think of this issue and winter in general! What about you? How do you feel about the chilliest season? Whether you’re a winter or summer person, I think you’ll enjoy the feature about winter on page 12! We’ve got tips on how to make the most of the season. Hint: Not all of it involves going outside! And now that 2024 is almost upon us, we figured this was probably a good time to look back at the past year. Turn to page 22 to see some of the top stories from 2023. Finally, how much do you think about wolverines? Not enough? Often? Regardless, they’re top of mind for us right now! Find out why on page 18.…

Dear OWL, I have a big family. There are nine people in my family! I am the middle child. I love to read. My favourite foods are tacos, pizza, mac and cheese, and gravy. Yum! —Maria Dear Maria, So great to meet you! It must be fun having a big family. Also, I must say I’m getting hungry after reading about your fave foods! —Melissa, editor Dear OWL, My favourite hobbies are reading and playing with my family. My friends and family make me happy. My favourite foods are tacos and pasta. If I could have a superpower, it would be teleportation. —Avery Dear Avery I’d like to introduce you to OWL reader Maria! You two seem to have a lot in common. One question: Where would you teleport to?…

READY TO ROLL … OR RIDE SNOW CYCLE This takes mountain biking to a whole new level. A French company recently unveiled the world’s first electric snow bike, and ski resorts in the Austrian Alps are planning to offer their guests a chance to try out the sweet ride. Called the MoonBike, this snow vehicle is unlike your typical bicycle. Instead of wheels, it has a ski on the front that the rider uses to steer. The bike also has an engine with a battery that lasts about three hours, allowing riders to take an off-roading trip through the snowy mountains. That said, snow cyclists won’t be zipping alongside skiers or snowboarders. Specific trails have been set up for MoonBike riders to keep everyone safe. Hit the slopes! SHAKE IT…

Wonka This prequel to the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory follows Willy Wonka as a young chocolatier. Learn how Willy meets his Oompa-Loompas and eventually starts a chocolate factory! Taste the fun on December 15. WarioWare: Move It! Grab your controllers and get ready to wave, wiggle, and move through over 200 microgames! The games are fun to play with friends or by yourself. Available now on the Nintendo Switch. Top Picks Make and learn with these apps. Finch: Self-Care Pet Take care of a digital pet by taking care of yourself! Choose from a variety of exercises, like checking in on your feelings or writing what you’re grateful for. C4K: Coding for Kids Learn the basics of coding and programming by playing fun games!…

IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE If freezing temperatures make you want to roll up in a blanket like a burrito, that is fair. In fact, sometimes it’s best to lean into what your body wants (more on this later)! But it’s also good to keep moving and take advantage of daylight hours. Even if it’s not sunny, daylight exposure can brighten your mood and ward off sluggishness. Depending on where you live, daylight hours might be minimal during winter. This makes it especially important to head outside before the Sun goes down—even if it’s hiding behind the clouds. Check out the list of outdoor activities on this page for inspo! TAKE BESTIE BREAKS! Hanging out with pals during the winter is a great way to lift your spirits! Looking forget-together ideas?…

BEST MOVIE OF 2023 1 The Little Mermaid 2 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 3 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 4 The Super Mario Bros. Movie 5 Elemental 6 Wonka 7 Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves 8 Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania 9 Wish 10 Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Other: __________________________ You could win a DISNEY PRIZE PACK! 2023 MOVIE AWARDS ENTRY BALLOT Contest deadline: January 15, 2024 Enter online at owlkids.com/contests or mail in your entry c/o OWL (address page 31). Entrants must be between 8 and 14 years old as of the deadline. Winners will be chosen by random draw. Entries must be accompanied by a parent’s signature. OWL retains the right to use winning contest entries for promotional purposes. Employees of Bayard Canada,…