If I Had a Gryphon
by Vikki VanSickle
Sam just got a hamster for a pet. But the hamster is kind of boring ... he just eats and sleeps and gets his shavings wet. Inspired by her book of mythological creatures, Sam longs for a more exciting pet. But she soon realizes that taking care of these magical beasts might not be as wonderful as she thought. Sasquatches are messy, unicorns are shy, hippogriffs scare the dogs at the dogpark, and having a fire extinguisher handy at all times makes dragons seem like an awful lot of work. In the end, Sam realizes that her hamster is a pretty sweet and safe pet... or is he?
If I Had a Gryphon is a raucous rhyming read-aloud about fantastical beasts in everyday situations–and the increasingly beleaguered heroine who has to deal with them.
Vikki VanSickle Author Biography
Vikki VanSickle is the author of four middle grade novels, including the acclaimed Clarissa series (Words that Start with B, Love Is a Four-Letter Word and Days that End in Y) and the 2015 Red Maple Award finalist, Summer Days, Starry Nights. After obtaining an MA in Children's Literature from UBC, Vikki's career began in bookselling at The Flying Dragon Bookshop, which earned her the 2011 CBA Young Bookseller of the Year award. Currently she balances writing with her duties as the Marketing and Publicity Manager for Young Readers at Penguin Canada in Toronto. If I Had a Gryphon is her first picture book.
Cale Atkinson Illustrator Biography
Cale Atkinson is an illustrator/writer/animator who lives in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Believing in tea more than sleep, Cale is constantly working on numerous projects. His work can be found in children’s books, animated shorts, television, and games.
Cale is the illustrator and author of Explorers of the Wild, To The Sea and Maxwell the Monkey Barber.
Cale's always looking for new and exciting projects that challenge his skills and allow him to grow creatively.