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
écrit des livres et des pièces de théâtre pour les enfants. Elle est
diplômée de théâtre de l'Université de Queens, et de littérature pour
enfants de l'Université de Colombie-Britannique. Elle possède une solide
expérience dans le domaine des camps de vacances : elle travaille dans les
camps organisés par le théâtre local, mais aussi comme conseillère et
directrice d'activités au Camp Rimp Rock de Virginie Occidentale. Elle a
participé à plusieurs comédies musicales, et elle a dirigé, en 2005, la
production de Crazy for You. Ses écrits ont été publiés dans
Chameleon, un magazine pour enfants.

VIKKI VANSICKLE is the author of Words That Start With B, Love Is a Four-Letter Word, Days That End in Y and Summer Days, Starry Nights, which was nominated for a Red Maple Award. She is an active member of the children's literature community, presenting at academic conferences, reviewing books, and managing her popular children's lit blog. Currently, she splits her time between writing and working in marketing and publicity. Vikki lives in Toronto, Ontario. Visit her online at www.vikkivansickle.wordpress.com.

Vikki VanSickle's profile page

Cale Atkinson est illustrateur, auteur et animateur. Ses oeuvres se retrouvent dans des livres pour enfants, des courts-métrages, des jeux et à la télévision. Il a signé les illustrations de l'album If I Had a Gryphon de Vikki VanSickle. Cale habite à Kelowna, en Colombie-Britannique.

Cale Atkinson is an illustrator, writer, animator whose work can be found in children's books, animated shorts, television, and games. Cale is the illustrator of If I Had a Gryphon by Vikki VanSickle. He lives in Kelowna, British Columbia.

Cale Atkinson's profile page

• Short-listed, Shining Willow Award
• Short-listed, Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards
• Nominated, Chocolate Lily Award
• Nominated, Rainforest of Reading Award
• Nominated, Blue Spruce Award

One of Book Riot's 50 Must-Read Fantasy Books for Kids, 2018
One of Book Riot's 38 Children’s Book Gift Ideas for Clueless Grown-Ups, 2018
One of CCBC’S Best Books for Kids & Teens (Spring 2019)

PRAISE FOR If I Had a Gryphon:

"Just right after all. VanSickle delivers lean, bouncy verse and an impressive array of offbeat creatures, while Atkinson's illustrations are bold and hint at dynamic motion." --Kirkus Reviews

“VanSickle’s rhymes are unflaggingly exuberant as the girl puts up with noisy harpies, biting chupacabras, and mischievous fairies, and Atkinson fills the pages with visual comedy.” --Publishers Weekly

“[T]he whimsical, rhyming story of a girl’s desire for the perfect pet is a fun and fabulous examination of being careful what you wish for and happy with what you have.” --Quill & Quire
"The humorous storyline, the strong rhyming scheme, and the bold illustrations by Cale Atkinson make If I Had a Gryphon a marvellous addition to the picture book genre. Sure to be a favourite among fantasy fans and those contemplating what their perfect pet might be—mythical or otherwise!” --CM Magazine
“[P]rovides a unique intro to the differences between myths and reality for little learners.” --Teacher Librarian

“[P]rovides a unique intro to the differences between myths and reality for little learners.”