Adrian Jacklin has a Bachelor of Science in Zoology, a college certificate as a vet assistant, and is currently working on her Master of Arts degree in Anthrozoology. Her family likes to describe her as a “professional student.” She is an avid traveler and lives in Odessa, Ontario with her family. Her inspiration for this book was her own son, Gryphon. Adrian wanted to capture the warm, fuzzy feeling of happiness that she has when she looks at her amazing little boy and thinks about how he could be anything he wants to be. When Gryphon Grows Up is Adrian’s first book |
FUN FACTS
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How did you come up with the idea for When Gryphon Grows Up?
For Devin's first Father's Day gift I wanted to make him something special. I searched and searched until I came up with the idea of a personalized book about our son, Gryphon, and different careers he could have. The book had pictures of Gryphon in different outfits and I made up a career to go with each one. I really enjoyed writing the book for Devin and I was also frustrated by not being able to find any toddler friendly books featuring gryphons. So I decided to adapt the story I wrote for Devin so that it fit any family.
As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
Growing up I went through phases of wanting to do many different things. The first career path I remember wanting to pursue was marine biology. Orcas were my favourite animal growing up and I desperately wanted to be able to spend all my time with them. I'm not sure what drove me away from that.
I also wanted to be a mechanic like my dad. He can fix and build just about anything which I think is absolutely fascinating (it's also really convenient and handy). He talked me out of that rather quickly, plus I'm not very good at it.
Other careers and fields I've thought about include paramedic, police officer, electroneurodiagnostic technician, wildlife conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, endangered species conservation and breeding, teaching in a university, opening a pet hotel, photography, animal rights advocacy, and a whole assortment of other things.
I also wanted to be a mechanic like my dad. He can fix and build just about anything which I think is absolutely fascinating (it's also really convenient and handy). He talked me out of that rather quickly, plus I'm not very good at it.
Other careers and fields I've thought about include paramedic, police officer, electroneurodiagnostic technician, wildlife conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, endangered species conservation and breeding, teaching in a university, opening a pet hotel, photography, animal rights advocacy, and a whole assortment of other things.
Did you ever think you would be an author?
Nope!
As a stay at home mom what do you do all day?
I spend most of my day trying to find fun activities to do with Gryphon, and cleaning. We tend to go for lots of walks and we like to paint. One of Gryphon's favourite activities is painting my car (I now have the coolest car around!). We sing songs, make LOTS of messes, play with toy cars, colour, jump on the trampoline, play in water, bake, go to play groups, see friends, read books, and try to have a fun time together. I try to plan educational activities, but they never go as planned so I generally just follow Gryphon's lead and make sure he is safe, happy and healthy.
In the afternoon, Gryphon generally takes a nap. That's when I try to get a bunch of other stuff done like making dinner or working on my school work. If Gryphon and I have had a particularly rough night though I take a nap too.
Evenings and weekends are the time when I catch up on chores around the house and really try to focus on school or some of the things I have to do as an author. It's also when Gryphon and I get to spend time with Devin. Evenings are pretty lazy, we eat and lounge and play until Gryphon goes to bed. Sometimes on the weekend we plan an activity, like apple picking or boating. No matter what we do, we try to make a little bit of family time for all three of us to be together, as well as some time for Devin and I to catch up.
In the afternoon, Gryphon generally takes a nap. That's when I try to get a bunch of other stuff done like making dinner or working on my school work. If Gryphon and I have had a particularly rough night though I take a nap too.
Evenings and weekends are the time when I catch up on chores around the house and really try to focus on school or some of the things I have to do as an author. It's also when Gryphon and I get to spend time with Devin. Evenings are pretty lazy, we eat and lounge and play until Gryphon goes to bed. Sometimes on the weekend we plan an activity, like apple picking or boating. No matter what we do, we try to make a little bit of family time for all three of us to be together, as well as some time for Devin and I to catch up.
What are some of your favourite books to read to Gryphon?
We keep all of Gryphon's books within his reach and these are the ones he request or brings to us daily.
1. Why I love the Moon - Illustrated by Daniel Howarth
2. Dragons Love Tacos - Adam Rubin
3. The Very Cranky Bear - Nick Bland
4. Don't Push The Button! A Halloween Treat - Bill Cotter (this has been one of his favourites since he was 6 months old)
5. If I had a Gryphon - Vikki Vansickle and Cale Atkinson
6. That's not my Hedgehog - Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells
7. Pop - Up Peekaboo! Pumpkin - DK
8. Baby Touch and Feel I Love You - DK
9. Kellan and the moon - KiwiCo (link is to the space box that included this book)
10. Kellan's Colourful Day - KiwiCo (unfortunately the box that contained this book is no longer available)
1. Why I love the Moon - Illustrated by Daniel Howarth
2. Dragons Love Tacos - Adam Rubin
3. The Very Cranky Bear - Nick Bland
4. Don't Push The Button! A Halloween Treat - Bill Cotter (this has been one of his favourites since he was 6 months old)
5. If I had a Gryphon - Vikki Vansickle and Cale Atkinson
6. That's not my Hedgehog - Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells
7. Pop - Up Peekaboo! Pumpkin - DK
8. Baby Touch and Feel I Love You - DK
9. Kellan and the moon - KiwiCo (link is to the space box that included this book)
10. Kellan's Colourful Day - KiwiCo (unfortunately the box that contained this book is no longer available)