Transcript: Ashley Spires | That TVOkids Show
Lucas is in his twenties, with short puffy brown hair and wears jeans and an orange T-shirt.
Laura is in her twenties, with above the shoulders straight brown hair with bangs and wears jeans and a purple T-shirt.
As a song plays, Lucas and Laura walk in the woods, cross a bridge, balance on a fallen tree trunk, cross a stream, run across the city and in a park full of geese. Fast clips show them next to Greg playing and having fun in the tree fort. Greg is in his twenties, with short black hair. He wears a blue sweater.
The song says PACK UP YOUR BAGS KISS YOUR TURTLE GOOD-BYE COME UP AND CLIMB WHERE WE CAN TOUCH THE SKY SO MUCH TO SEE SO MUCH TO DO IN OUR TREE FORT WE'VE GOT A SHOW FOR YOU THAT TVOkids SHOW THAT TVOkids SHOW THAT TVOkids SHOW THAT TVOkids SHOW.
[Greg shrieking]
Laura says PASSWORD, PLEASE.
The word "Crayon" appears in the sky.
In animation, a dialogue bubble pops out of a map with the title of the show: "That TVO Kids Show."
The song continues LA, LA, LA, DO, DO, DO, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH THAT TVOKIDS SHOW!
Greg appears inside a comic book that tells the story of a bug who is trying to learn how to fly.
He says HI, TVOKIDS! I'M READING A BOOK RIGHT NOW IT'S CALLED "BURT THE BEETLE." IT'S BY ASHLEY SPIRES AN AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR. YOU KNOW WHEN YOU READ A BOOK AND GET CAUGHT UP IN IT? LOOK! THIS IS SO FUNNY.
Lucas says GREG, HE... IS THAT YOU IN THAT BOOK?
Lucas stands inside the tree fort alone. He's wearing a black jacket.
Greg says HUH? OH HEY LUCAS.
Lucas says HOW HOW DID YOU GET IN THE BOOK.
Greg says YOU KNOW HOW YOU GET CAUGHT UP IN IT. YOU SHOULD TRY IT PICK UP A BOOK AND GET LOST IT IN. IT'S SO MUCH FUN.
Lucas says THAT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE GREG. THAT'S COOL. WE HAVE THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR OF THAT BOOK COMING IN TODAY, AM I RIGHT.
Greg says WE DO? I HAVE TO ASK HER ALL ABOUT IT. LOOK AT THAT PANEL! THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!
Lucas says YOU LOOK GREAT IN THAT BOOK, GREG BUT YOU GOT TO GET HERE SO WE CAN TALK TO THE AUTHOR.
Greg says JUST AFTER THIS PAGE. I'M ALMOST DONE READING.
Lucas says OKAY. I'LL KEEP EVERYTHING COOL DOWN HERE IN THE FOREST, TVOKIDS THAT'S RIGHT WE HAVE ASHLEY SPIRES COMING IN TO TALK ABOUT HER BRAND NEW BOOK. WE'RE SO EXCITED. I'M GETTING MY QUESTIONS READY SO LISTEN, I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
[FROGHORN]
Lucas says THIS WEEK WE'RE PREPARING OUR BOOK IN THE TREE FORT. GET READY FOR MORE FUN.
He takes the call and says TREE FORT, LUCAS SPEAKING WHO IS THIS?
A voice says DISANSA.
Lucas says DISANSA WHAT'S THE PASSWORD.
Disansa says IT'S Crayon.
Lucas says YOU ARE UP IN THE SKY MY FRIEND.
Disansa appears in the sky smiling and waving. She has long straight dark hair.
A caption reads "Disansa. Age 10."
Lucas says WELCOME. AND TVOKIDS IT'S DISANSA'S BIRTHDAY. HOW IS YOUR BIRTHDAY GOING?
Disansa says GOING GOOD.
Lucas says AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
Disansa says I JUST DID READING AND NOW I'M DOING THIS.
Lucas says NOW YOU'RE DOING THIS, AIR ON TV AND YOU HAVE AWESOME DECORATIONS, AM I RIGHT?
Disansa says OH YEAH, THANK YOU.
Lucas says SO GOOD, DISANSA. SO TODAY IS ALL ABOUT BOOKS. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?
Disansa says THE SECRET KINGDOM.
Lucas says THAT SOUNDS PRETTY COOL. CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT?
Disansa says YEAH. IT'S ABOUT TWO... TWO GIRLS, THEY... EVERY TIME THEY GO ON AN ADVENTURE AND WITH THIS FAIRY, AND EVERY TIME THEY GO TO DIFFERENT PLACES. SO WHEN THEY ARE IN THOSE PLACES, THERE IS AN EVIL QUEEN CALLED MALISSE AND HE WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD AND QUEEN MALICE HAS A BROTHER AND IT'S AN ADVENTURE TO STAY IN THE SECRET KINGDOM.
Lucas says THAT SOUNDS FUN. I LOVE ADVENTURE BOOKS. WE HAVE THAT IN COMMON, DISANSA. ARE YOU DOING A LOT OF READING DURING LOCKDOWN?
Disansa says YA.
Lucas says HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL TO READ?
Disansa says IT FEELS GOOD.
Lucas says SO BASICALLY YOU WOULD RECOMMEND IT OTHER TVOKIDS?
Disansa says YES.
Lucas says OKAY. READING CAN BE COOL! I LOVE THAT. DISANSA, THE BEST PART IS WE'LL SHOW YOU SOME CUTE VIDEOS IN THE TREE FORT. ARE YOU EXCITED?
Disansa says YES.
Lucas says TELL ME YOU'RE EXCITED.
Disansa says YES!
Lucas says OKAY. HERE COMES THE CHAMPION.
A voice says Champion!
A short video shows a gray and white cat wearing round glasses and flipping through the pages of a fat book.
Lucas says THIS IS FROM YESTERDAY. THIS IS A READING CAT. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Disansa says SO CUTE AND I RATE IT A 10 OUT OF 9.
Lucas says A TEN OUT OF 9. THAT SEEMS TO BE A THING HAPPENING LATELY. OKAY, TEN OUT OF NINE. DO YOU LOVE CATS?
Disansa says YES.
Lucas says OKAY, COOL. THAT'S GREAT. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS ONE EITHER BUT LET'S SEE WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS ONE, IT'S THE CHALLENGER.
A voice says Challenger!
A short video shows a hand drawing and then colouring a puppy.
Lucas says OKAY. AUHHH. MAKES SENSE FOR ILLUSTRATION DAY.
Disansa says OH, THAT'S SO... THAT'S AMAZING. I RATE IT 10 OUT OF 10.
Lucas says TEN OUT OF 10. SO WHICH DO YOU LIKE BEST?
Disansa says THE ILLUSTRATION DOG.
Lucas says THE ILLUSTRATION DOG. OKAY, DISANSA, WELL BECAUSE IT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY AND THIS IS A SPECIAL DAY THAT ONE WILL MOVE ON TO TOMORROW. AND WE DON'T WANT TO YOU GO YET. WE WANT YOU TO HANG OUT. I HAVE SOMEONE IMPORTANT I WANT YOU TO MEET. PLEASE WELCOME ALL WAIT FROM DOWN UNDER IN AUSTRALIA, GREG GRILLZ.
Greg Grylls stands in a field of yellow grass with an easel board containing a drawing of a cake with candles on it and the words "Happy Birthday."
He says I'VE GOT A SPECIAL SURPRISE FOR YOU DISANSA. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MATE! ALL RIGHT!
Disansa says THANK YOU.
Lucas says THAT'S GREAT.
Greg Grylls says FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY WE'RE GOING TO PLAY SOME GAMES, AREN'T WE LUCAS.
Lucas says WE ARE. DISANSA, GREG WILL DRAW AN ANIMAL AND YOU AND I GET TO GUESS IT AS QUICK AS WE CAN.
Greg Grylls says ALL RIGHT. THIRTY SECONDS ON THE CLOCK AND HERE WE GO.
As a timer clock counts down from 30 seconds, Greg Grylls draws and says HERE IS THE FIRST ANIMAL AND GO! ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. SEE WHAT THIS IS. THIS SHOULD BE EASY, MATE.
He draws a circle, pointy ears and whiskers.
Lucas says YOU LOVE THIS ONE, DISANSA.
Disansa says IS IT A CAT?
Greg Grylls says IT'S A CAT! PERFECT, ALL RIGHT. ON TO THE SECOND ANIMAL. ALL RIGHT. THIS SAY LITTLE HARDER. ALL RIGHT, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN EVEN DRAW IT.
Lucas says DRAW QUICKER GREG GRILLZ.
Greg Grylls says ALL RIGHT. IT HAS A LONG NECK.
He draws a square body and a long neck.
Lucas says DINOSAUR.
Greg Grylls says AND LIVES IN THE SAFARI.
Disansa says IS IT A GIRAFFE?
Greg Grylls says IT'S A GIRAFFE. AND ONE LAST ONE.
He draws a circle as the time runs out.
Lucas says A HUMAN?
Greg Grylls says NO, THIS IS MY CAT BACK AT HOME. ALL RIGHT!
Lucas says THAT WAS FUN. WE DID PRETTY GOOD DISANSA.
(Growling)
Greg Grylls says OH, DID YOU HEAR THAT, MATE? YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS?
(ROAAAR)
Greg Grylls says THAT'S A TASMANIAN DEVIL. I ALWAYS WANTED A PET ONE OF THOSE. I'M ON IT! Goodbye mate!
As he leaps away, Disansa says BYE.
Lucas says AND THAT'S GREG GRILLZ I HOPE YOU HAD FUN HANGING OUT WITH US. CALL US ANY TIME.
Disansa says OKAY!
Lucas says BYE.
Disansa says BYE!
The clip ends.
Lucas says WHOA HOO. ALWAYS AWESOME TALKING TO TALKING TO TVOKIDS. AND CHECK THIS OUT...
An animated slate reads "The sisters' disagreement."
A girl speaking over the phone says THE TITLE OF MY STORY IS THE SISTER DISAGREEMENTS.
As the girl speaks, Laura plays out the story.
The girl says ONE day, SHE WAS HOME WATCHING TV AND WATCHING ARTHUR ON HER FAVOURITE TV CHANNEL CALLED TVOKIDS. BUT RIGHT WHEN ARTHUR ENDED HER 13-YEAR-OLD BIG SISTER CAME STRAIGHT INTO THE LIVING-ROOM AND RAN TO THE COUCH AND JUMPED RIGHT ON IT.
Lucas wears a black wig and plays the big sister who flops on the couch.
The girl continues WATCH IT SHE SAID. WOW NOT EVEN A HELLO. WELL, IF YOU WOULDN'T HAVE STARTED JUMPING AND FLOPPING ON THIS COUCH I WOULD HAVE SAID HELLO. THE SISTERS KEPT ARGUING AND ARGUING UNTIL THEIR MOTHER, ALICE JANE CAME. SHE SAID GET OVER HERE, RIGHT NOW. UH OH. AND HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO FIGHT? ALICE SAID YOU SEE, MOM, SHE CAME IN AND FLOPPED ON THE COUCH AND THEN... INTERRUPTED. AND YOU KNOW WHAT ALISON. WHAT? LATER IN THE AFTERNOON MY DAD SUGGESTED WE BAKE A CAKE BUT THAT DIDN'T GO SO WELL EITHER. OKEY-DOKEY. WE'LL WAIT FOR IT TO BAKE AND THEN IT'S ALL OURS. IS IT READY YET SHE ASKED HER SISTER? SERIOUSLY WE JUST PUT IT IN THE OVEN SHE REPLIED. WHEN THE CAKE WAS COOKED SHE CUT HER A BIG PIECE OF THE CHOCOLATE CAKE. SHE TOOK AN ENORMOUS BITE OUT OF THE COOK BUT SHE SPIT IT RIGHT OUT OF HER MOUTH. EW! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT SHE SAID. WHAT'S WRONG, HONEY? THIS CAKE IS THE MOST DISGUSTING CAKE I HAVE EVER TASTED. OKAY LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT. FIRST WE GET OUR HANDS ALL DIRTY AND MAKE A HOME MADE CHEESE CAKE WHEN WE COULD HAVE BOUGHT ONE AND SPENT 25 MINUTES DOING NOTHING WHILE THE CAKE BAKES AND NOW IT'S ON THE TABLE READY TO EAT. SHE EXPLAINED HA-HA JUST JOKING. I LOVE IT SHE SAID EXCITEDLY AND STUFFED A MOUTH FULL OF CAKE IN HER MOUTH. EVERYONE LAUGHED EXCEPT FOR OUR MOM WHO WAS NOT HAPPY: SHE FORGIVED HER SISTER, THEY FUGGED AND THEY ALL... HAD HE HUGGED AND ALL LIVED happily EVER AFTER.
The clip ends.
Now the screen splits in three to show Lucas, Greg and a guest.
Greg says IT'S ASHLEY SPIRES. I JUST RED HER BOOK "BURT THE BEETLE."
A caption appears on screen. It reads "Ashley Spires. Author."
Ashley has dark hair and bangs, and wears glasses.
A picture shows her latest book, called "Burt the beetle doesn't bite." The cover features a drawing of a friendly-looking beetle with a yellow belly and a green shell.
Ashley says I GREW UP PLAYING WITH JUNE BUCKS AND I KNOW THEY LOOK DIFFERENT. I LIVE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA AND OUR JUNE BUGS HAVE COOL STRIPES ON THEIR BACK AND WHEN THEY ARE MAD THEY HIS AT YOU. MOST PEOPLE WHO SEE THEM SAY OH MY GOSH BUT THEY DON'T BITE, THEY DON'T STING, THEY JUST LOOK AWKWARD AND UNCOMFORTABLY STICK TO THINGS WHEN YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO. I DECIDED TO MAKE THIS BUG A WHOLE STORY SO I CREATED THIS WHOLE STORY ABOUT MY JUNE BUG. WHEN I MAKE A BOOK I DON'T DRAW IT THE FIRST TIME, I HAVE TO PRACTICE AND THAT'S WHY I LOVE MY SKETCH BOOK AND THAT'S WHERE I PRACTICE ALL MY CHARACTERS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY WILL LOOK LIKE. SO YOU CAN SEE THE FIRST TIME I DREW BURT HERE HE LOOKS NOTHING LIKE HOW HE DID IN THE FINAL PRODUCT BECAUSE I HAD TO PRACTICE DRAWING HIM OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
She flips through the pages of a sketchbook as she says AND I ALSO HAVE TO WRITE MY STORY AND THE FIRST PICTURE BOOK LOOKS BORING, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS, A PILE OF WORDS. BUT I HAVE TO WRITE MY STORY 12 TO 30 TIMES BEFORE I GET MY STORY JUST RIGHT AND IT TURNS INTO THE BOOK YOU GET TO READ IN THE LIBRARY.
Lucas says THAT MUST REQUIRE PATIENCE.
Ashley says IT TAKES A LONG TIME. IT TAKES ME A YEAR TO DO A BOOK THAT YOU GUYS READ IN FIVE MINUTES.
Lucas says WOW! THAT'S SO COOL. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR PROCESS WITH US. THAT'S IMPRESSIVE AND IT'S ALSO LITERACY WEEK. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO CELEBRATE THAT?
Ashley says THIS WEEK I AM PROMOTING THE MS READATHON, MAYBE YOU HEARD ABOUT IT. IT'S FANTASTIC AND HELPS PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND IT MEANS YOU GET TO GO TO MSREADATHON.CA AND SIGN UP AND READ WHATEVER YOU WANT, AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN, AND YOU WILL BE HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED.
Lucas says I LOVE IT. COOL. OKAY. SO, TELL US, WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK? DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE BOOK?
Ashley says OH THAT'S A TOUGH ONE. THE FAVOURITE BOOK I READ AS A ADULT OR A KID? WELL MY FAVOURITE AS A KID, I'LL GO WITH THIS ONE, IS ROALD DAUL'S BOOK ABOUT JOKES AND RHYMES AND PEOPLE GET THEIR HEAD CUT OFF AND IT'S FUNNILY.
Lucas says SO COOL. AND WE HAD A TVO KID THAT SENT US AN IDEA AND WE'RE WORKSHOPPING IT AND WE'RE HOPING TO GET YOUR HELP WITH THE ILLUSTRATIONS.
Greg says THAT'S RIGHT. YEAH, TVOKIDS JOVEN SENT US AN IDEA ABOUT GREEN CREATURES IN OUR CEREAL. DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR ILLUSTRATING A COVER?
Ashley says A COVER? WELL THERE ARE SOME REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS YOU HAVE TO HAVE ON THE COVER RIGHT. SO IN MY WORLD THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE TITLE. PEOPLE WANT TO READ WHAT THE NAME OF THE BOOK IS AND ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT IS TO HAVE YOUR CHARACTER, BECAUSE MOST STORIES ARE ABOUT A MAIN CHARACTER. AND SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU ARE DRAWING YOUR MAIN CHARACTER, IF YOUR CHARACTER IS A REALLY ANGRY PERSON, ARE YOU GOING TO DRAW YOUR CHARACTER WITH A BIG SMILE ON THE COVER? PROBABLY NOT, RIGHT. IT'S NICE TO DRAW YOUR CHARACTER IN A WAY THAT SHOWS THEIR PARTICULAR PERSONALITY.
Lucas says OKAY, COOL. SO LET'S GET THIS COMPETITION STARTED. YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE JUDGE. WE HAVE 60 SECONDS ON THE CLOCK AND IF YOU WANT TO WATCH FEEL FREE. TIME STARTS NOW.
Greg says WE'LL NEED IT.
Lucas says OKAY.
A timer clock counts down from 60 seconds.
Ashley says WAIT YOU CAN SHOW ME THE BACKGROUND.
Greg says OKAY. START WITH THE TITLE, OKAY. IS SPELLING IMPORTANT? OH, I SEE.
Lucas says WHEN YOU COME UP WITH A FONT DO YOU HAVE TO THINK OF SOMETHING THAT'S TRUE TO THE CHARACTER?
Ashley says ABSOLUTELY. FONTS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS...
She holds up a book titled "Fairy Science" in which the I in "fairy" is a magic wand and the I in "science" is a test tube.
She continues WHERE YOU HAVE MY BOOK WE EVEN PUT SOME SCIENTIFIC PIECES INTO THE ACTUAL TITLE TO SHOW A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE STORY SO THERE IS NOT ONLY A BEAKER THERE BUT A WAND.
Lucas says HOW ABOUT WHEN YOU CREATE A TITLE.
Ashley says PARDON ME?
Lucas says HOW ABOUT WHEN YOU CREATE A TITLE?
Ashley says YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT'S EASY FOR KIDS TO READ AND SOMETHING YOU CAN REALLY REMEMBER. YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE A FIVE PARAGRAPH LONG TITLE.
Lucas says YOU'RE SO RIGHT.
The time runs out.
Greg says OKAY, LUCAS I HOPE YOU'RE DONE, I AM. I'M PRESENTING MINE FIRST, ASHLEY. HERE IT IS, TA-DAH!
Greg shows his cover, which reads "Green Aliens Cereal" and contains a drawing of a cereal bowl surrounded by tiny aliens.
Ashley says THAT'S REALLY GOOD.
Greg says OKAY LUCAS.
Lucas's cover has a drawing of a bowl of cereal and a big title that reads "Joven's Milk Trouble."
Lucas says I GOT CAUGHT UP TALKING TO YOU SO MINE JUST HAVE JOVEN'S MILK TROUBLE AND A PICTURE OF A BOWL BUT I WAS GOING TO ADD AN ALIEN, TOO.
Ashley says YOU KNOW IT'S REALLY HARD BECAUSE YOUR FONT WORK IS FANTASTIC AND I LOVE THE CATCHYNESS AND THE CHARACTER SITUATION THAT'S GOING ON OVER HERE. OH! RIGHT NOW GREEN ALIEN CEREAL.
Lucas says GREG IS THE WINNER. ASHLEY WE HAVE TO SAY BYE BUT IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU.
Ashley says THANKS SO MUCH, ASHLEY. BYE!
Greg says BYE ASHLEY!
Ashley disappears.
Lucas says WE CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT BOOK, TVOKIDS. MEANTIME GO TO TVOKIDS.COM AND CHECK OUT THE FUN STUFF THAT IS THERE. WE WANT YOU TO SHOW US YOUR FAMILY. THERE IS A WAY TO DO THAT ON TVOKIDS.COM BUT MEANTIME, I'M LUCAS. MAKE MAGIC.
Greg says I'M GREG. EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!
Lucas says HE'S IN THE SKY!
(music plays)
Music plays as a slate shows the end credits.
Laura is in her twenties, with above the shoulders straight brown hair with bangs and wears jeans and a purple T-shirt.
As a song plays, Lucas and Laura walk in the woods, cross a bridge, balance on a fallen tree trunk, cross a stream, run across the city and in a park full of geese. Fast clips show them next to Greg playing and having fun in the tree fort. Greg is in his twenties, with short black hair. He wears a blue sweater.
The song says PACK UP YOUR BAGS KISS YOUR TURTLE GOOD-BYE COME UP AND CLIMB WHERE WE CAN TOUCH THE SKY SO MUCH TO SEE SO MUCH TO DO IN OUR TREE FORT WE'VE GOT A SHOW FOR YOU THAT TVOkids SHOW THAT TVOkids SHOW THAT TVOkids SHOW THAT TVOkids SHOW.
[Greg shrieking]
Laura says PASSWORD, PLEASE.
The word "Crayon" appears in the sky.
In animation, a dialogue bubble pops out of a map with the title of the show: "That TVO Kids Show."
The song continues LA, LA, LA, DO, DO, DO, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH THAT TVOKIDS SHOW!
Greg appears inside a comic book that tells the story of a bug who is trying to learn how to fly.
He says HI, TVOKIDS! I'M READING A BOOK RIGHT NOW IT'S CALLED "BURT THE BEETLE." IT'S BY ASHLEY SPIRES AN AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR. YOU KNOW WHEN YOU READ A BOOK AND GET CAUGHT UP IN IT? LOOK! THIS IS SO FUNNY.
Lucas says GREG, HE... IS THAT YOU IN THAT BOOK?
Lucas stands inside the tree fort alone. He's wearing a black jacket.
Greg says HUH? OH HEY LUCAS.
Lucas says HOW HOW DID YOU GET IN THE BOOK.
Greg says YOU KNOW HOW YOU GET CAUGHT UP IN IT. YOU SHOULD TRY IT PICK UP A BOOK AND GET LOST IT IN. IT'S SO MUCH FUN.
Lucas says THAT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE GREG. THAT'S COOL. WE HAVE THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR OF THAT BOOK COMING IN TODAY, AM I RIGHT.
Greg says WE DO? I HAVE TO ASK HER ALL ABOUT IT. LOOK AT THAT PANEL! THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!
Lucas says YOU LOOK GREAT IN THAT BOOK, GREG BUT YOU GOT TO GET HERE SO WE CAN TALK TO THE AUTHOR.
Greg says JUST AFTER THIS PAGE. I'M ALMOST DONE READING.
Lucas says OKAY. I'LL KEEP EVERYTHING COOL DOWN HERE IN THE FOREST, TVOKIDS THAT'S RIGHT WE HAVE ASHLEY SPIRES COMING IN TO TALK ABOUT HER BRAND NEW BOOK. WE'RE SO EXCITED. I'M GETTING MY QUESTIONS READY SO LISTEN, I CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
[FROGHORN]
Lucas says THIS WEEK WE'RE PREPARING OUR BOOK IN THE TREE FORT. GET READY FOR MORE FUN.
He takes the call and says TREE FORT, LUCAS SPEAKING WHO IS THIS?
A voice says DISANSA.
Lucas says DISANSA WHAT'S THE PASSWORD.
Disansa says IT'S Crayon.
Lucas says YOU ARE UP IN THE SKY MY FRIEND.
Disansa appears in the sky smiling and waving. She has long straight dark hair.
A caption reads "Disansa. Age 10."
Lucas says WELCOME. AND TVOKIDS IT'S DISANSA'S BIRTHDAY. HOW IS YOUR BIRTHDAY GOING?
Disansa says GOING GOOD.
Lucas says AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
Disansa says I JUST DID READING AND NOW I'M DOING THIS.
Lucas says NOW YOU'RE DOING THIS, AIR ON TV AND YOU HAVE AWESOME DECORATIONS, AM I RIGHT?
Disansa says OH YEAH, THANK YOU.
Lucas says SO GOOD, DISANSA. SO TODAY IS ALL ABOUT BOOKS. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?
Disansa says THE SECRET KINGDOM.
Lucas says THAT SOUNDS PRETTY COOL. CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT?
Disansa says YEAH. IT'S ABOUT TWO... TWO GIRLS, THEY... EVERY TIME THEY GO ON AN ADVENTURE AND WITH THIS FAIRY, AND EVERY TIME THEY GO TO DIFFERENT PLACES. SO WHEN THEY ARE IN THOSE PLACES, THERE IS AN EVIL QUEEN CALLED MALISSE AND HE WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD AND QUEEN MALICE HAS A BROTHER AND IT'S AN ADVENTURE TO STAY IN THE SECRET KINGDOM.
Lucas says THAT SOUNDS FUN. I LOVE ADVENTURE BOOKS. WE HAVE THAT IN COMMON, DISANSA. ARE YOU DOING A LOT OF READING DURING LOCKDOWN?
Disansa says YA.
Lucas says HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL TO READ?
Disansa says IT FEELS GOOD.
Lucas says SO BASICALLY YOU WOULD RECOMMEND IT OTHER TVOKIDS?
Disansa says YES.
Lucas says OKAY. READING CAN BE COOL! I LOVE THAT. DISANSA, THE BEST PART IS WE'LL SHOW YOU SOME CUTE VIDEOS IN THE TREE FORT. ARE YOU EXCITED?
Disansa says YES.
Lucas says TELL ME YOU'RE EXCITED.
Disansa says YES!
Lucas says OKAY. HERE COMES THE CHAMPION.
A voice says Champion!
A short video shows a gray and white cat wearing round glasses and flipping through the pages of a fat book.
Lucas says THIS IS FROM YESTERDAY. THIS IS A READING CAT. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Disansa says SO CUTE AND I RATE IT A 10 OUT OF 9.
Lucas says A TEN OUT OF 9. THAT SEEMS TO BE A THING HAPPENING LATELY. OKAY, TEN OUT OF NINE. DO YOU LOVE CATS?
Disansa says YES.
Lucas says OKAY, COOL. THAT'S GREAT. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS ONE EITHER BUT LET'S SEE WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS ONE, IT'S THE CHALLENGER.
A voice says Challenger!
A short video shows a hand drawing and then colouring a puppy.
Lucas says OKAY. AUHHH. MAKES SENSE FOR ILLUSTRATION DAY.
Disansa says OH, THAT'S SO... THAT'S AMAZING. I RATE IT 10 OUT OF 10.
Lucas says TEN OUT OF 10. SO WHICH DO YOU LIKE BEST?
Disansa says THE ILLUSTRATION DOG.
Lucas says THE ILLUSTRATION DOG. OKAY, DISANSA, WELL BECAUSE IT IS YOUR BIRTHDAY AND THIS IS A SPECIAL DAY THAT ONE WILL MOVE ON TO TOMORROW. AND WE DON'T WANT TO YOU GO YET. WE WANT YOU TO HANG OUT. I HAVE SOMEONE IMPORTANT I WANT YOU TO MEET. PLEASE WELCOME ALL WAIT FROM DOWN UNDER IN AUSTRALIA, GREG GRILLZ.
Greg Grylls stands in a field of yellow grass with an easel board containing a drawing of a cake with candles on it and the words "Happy Birthday."
He says I'VE GOT A SPECIAL SURPRISE FOR YOU DISANSA. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MATE! ALL RIGHT!
Disansa says THANK YOU.
Lucas says THAT'S GREAT.
Greg Grylls says FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY WE'RE GOING TO PLAY SOME GAMES, AREN'T WE LUCAS.
Lucas says WE ARE. DISANSA, GREG WILL DRAW AN ANIMAL AND YOU AND I GET TO GUESS IT AS QUICK AS WE CAN.
Greg Grylls says ALL RIGHT. THIRTY SECONDS ON THE CLOCK AND HERE WE GO.
As a timer clock counts down from 30 seconds, Greg Grylls draws and says HERE IS THE FIRST ANIMAL AND GO! ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. SEE WHAT THIS IS. THIS SHOULD BE EASY, MATE.
He draws a circle, pointy ears and whiskers.
Lucas says YOU LOVE THIS ONE, DISANSA.
Disansa says IS IT A CAT?
Greg Grylls says IT'S A CAT! PERFECT, ALL RIGHT. ON TO THE SECOND ANIMAL. ALL RIGHT. THIS SAY LITTLE HARDER. ALL RIGHT, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN EVEN DRAW IT.
Lucas says DRAW QUICKER GREG GRILLZ.
Greg Grylls says ALL RIGHT. IT HAS A LONG NECK.
He draws a square body and a long neck.
Lucas says DINOSAUR.
Greg Grylls says AND LIVES IN THE SAFARI.
Disansa says IS IT A GIRAFFE?
Greg Grylls says IT'S A GIRAFFE. AND ONE LAST ONE.
He draws a circle as the time runs out.
Lucas says A HUMAN?
Greg Grylls says NO, THIS IS MY CAT BACK AT HOME. ALL RIGHT!
Lucas says THAT WAS FUN. WE DID PRETTY GOOD DISANSA.
(Growling)
Greg Grylls says OH, DID YOU HEAR THAT, MATE? YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS?
(ROAAAR)
Greg Grylls says THAT'S A TASMANIAN DEVIL. I ALWAYS WANTED A PET ONE OF THOSE. I'M ON IT! Goodbye mate!
As he leaps away, Disansa says BYE.
Lucas says AND THAT'S GREG GRILLZ I HOPE YOU HAD FUN HANGING OUT WITH US. CALL US ANY TIME.
Disansa says OKAY!
Lucas says BYE.
Disansa says BYE!
The clip ends.
Lucas says WHOA HOO. ALWAYS AWESOME TALKING TO TALKING TO TVOKIDS. AND CHECK THIS OUT...
An animated slate reads "The sisters' disagreement."
A girl speaking over the phone says THE TITLE OF MY STORY IS THE SISTER DISAGREEMENTS.
As the girl speaks, Laura plays out the story.
The girl says ONE day, SHE WAS HOME WATCHING TV AND WATCHING ARTHUR ON HER FAVOURITE TV CHANNEL CALLED TVOKIDS. BUT RIGHT WHEN ARTHUR ENDED HER 13-YEAR-OLD BIG SISTER CAME STRAIGHT INTO THE LIVING-ROOM AND RAN TO THE COUCH AND JUMPED RIGHT ON IT.
Lucas wears a black wig and plays the big sister who flops on the couch.
The girl continues WATCH IT SHE SAID. WOW NOT EVEN A HELLO. WELL, IF YOU WOULDN'T HAVE STARTED JUMPING AND FLOPPING ON THIS COUCH I WOULD HAVE SAID HELLO. THE SISTERS KEPT ARGUING AND ARGUING UNTIL THEIR MOTHER, ALICE JANE CAME. SHE SAID GET OVER HERE, RIGHT NOW. UH OH. AND HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO FIGHT? ALICE SAID YOU SEE, MOM, SHE CAME IN AND FLOPPED ON THE COUCH AND THEN... INTERRUPTED. AND YOU KNOW WHAT ALISON. WHAT? LATER IN THE AFTERNOON MY DAD SUGGESTED WE BAKE A CAKE BUT THAT DIDN'T GO SO WELL EITHER. OKEY-DOKEY. WE'LL WAIT FOR IT TO BAKE AND THEN IT'S ALL OURS. IS IT READY YET SHE ASKED HER SISTER? SERIOUSLY WE JUST PUT IT IN THE OVEN SHE REPLIED. WHEN THE CAKE WAS COOKED SHE CUT HER A BIG PIECE OF THE CHOCOLATE CAKE. SHE TOOK AN ENORMOUS BITE OUT OF THE COOK BUT SHE SPIT IT RIGHT OUT OF HER MOUTH. EW! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT SHE SAID. WHAT'S WRONG, HONEY? THIS CAKE IS THE MOST DISGUSTING CAKE I HAVE EVER TASTED. OKAY LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT. FIRST WE GET OUR HANDS ALL DIRTY AND MAKE A HOME MADE CHEESE CAKE WHEN WE COULD HAVE BOUGHT ONE AND SPENT 25 MINUTES DOING NOTHING WHILE THE CAKE BAKES AND NOW IT'S ON THE TABLE READY TO EAT. SHE EXPLAINED HA-HA JUST JOKING. I LOVE IT SHE SAID EXCITEDLY AND STUFFED A MOUTH FULL OF CAKE IN HER MOUTH. EVERYONE LAUGHED EXCEPT FOR OUR MOM WHO WAS NOT HAPPY: SHE FORGIVED HER SISTER, THEY FUGGED AND THEY ALL... HAD HE HUGGED AND ALL LIVED happily EVER AFTER.
The clip ends.
Now the screen splits in three to show Lucas, Greg and a guest.
Greg says IT'S ASHLEY SPIRES. I JUST RED HER BOOK "BURT THE BEETLE."
A caption appears on screen. It reads "Ashley Spires. Author."
Ashley has dark hair and bangs, and wears glasses.
A picture shows her latest book, called "Burt the beetle doesn't bite." The cover features a drawing of a friendly-looking beetle with a yellow belly and a green shell.
Ashley says I GREW UP PLAYING WITH JUNE BUCKS AND I KNOW THEY LOOK DIFFERENT. I LIVE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA AND OUR JUNE BUGS HAVE COOL STRIPES ON THEIR BACK AND WHEN THEY ARE MAD THEY HIS AT YOU. MOST PEOPLE WHO SEE THEM SAY OH MY GOSH BUT THEY DON'T BITE, THEY DON'T STING, THEY JUST LOOK AWKWARD AND UNCOMFORTABLY STICK TO THINGS WHEN YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO. I DECIDED TO MAKE THIS BUG A WHOLE STORY SO I CREATED THIS WHOLE STORY ABOUT MY JUNE BUG. WHEN I MAKE A BOOK I DON'T DRAW IT THE FIRST TIME, I HAVE TO PRACTICE AND THAT'S WHY I LOVE MY SKETCH BOOK AND THAT'S WHERE I PRACTICE ALL MY CHARACTERS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY WILL LOOK LIKE. SO YOU CAN SEE THE FIRST TIME I DREW BURT HERE HE LOOKS NOTHING LIKE HOW HE DID IN THE FINAL PRODUCT BECAUSE I HAD TO PRACTICE DRAWING HIM OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
She flips through the pages of a sketchbook as she says AND I ALSO HAVE TO WRITE MY STORY AND THE FIRST PICTURE BOOK LOOKS BORING, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS, A PILE OF WORDS. BUT I HAVE TO WRITE MY STORY 12 TO 30 TIMES BEFORE I GET MY STORY JUST RIGHT AND IT TURNS INTO THE BOOK YOU GET TO READ IN THE LIBRARY.
Lucas says THAT MUST REQUIRE PATIENCE.
Ashley says IT TAKES A LONG TIME. IT TAKES ME A YEAR TO DO A BOOK THAT YOU GUYS READ IN FIVE MINUTES.
Lucas says WOW! THAT'S SO COOL. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR PROCESS WITH US. THAT'S IMPRESSIVE AND IT'S ALSO LITERACY WEEK. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO CELEBRATE THAT?
Ashley says THIS WEEK I AM PROMOTING THE MS READATHON, MAYBE YOU HEARD ABOUT IT. IT'S FANTASTIC AND HELPS PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND IT MEANS YOU GET TO GO TO MSREADATHON.CA AND SIGN UP AND READ WHATEVER YOU WANT, AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN, AND YOU WILL BE HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED.
Lucas says I LOVE IT. COOL. OKAY. SO, TELL US, WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK? DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE BOOK?
Ashley says OH THAT'S A TOUGH ONE. THE FAVOURITE BOOK I READ AS A ADULT OR A KID? WELL MY FAVOURITE AS A KID, I'LL GO WITH THIS ONE, IS ROALD DAUL'S BOOK ABOUT JOKES AND RHYMES AND PEOPLE GET THEIR HEAD CUT OFF AND IT'S FUNNILY.
Lucas says SO COOL. AND WE HAD A TVO KID THAT SENT US AN IDEA AND WE'RE WORKSHOPPING IT AND WE'RE HOPING TO GET YOUR HELP WITH THE ILLUSTRATIONS.
Greg says THAT'S RIGHT. YEAH, TVOKIDS JOVEN SENT US AN IDEA ABOUT GREEN CREATURES IN OUR CEREAL. DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR ILLUSTRATING A COVER?
Ashley says A COVER? WELL THERE ARE SOME REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS YOU HAVE TO HAVE ON THE COVER RIGHT. SO IN MY WORLD THAT MEANS YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE TITLE. PEOPLE WANT TO READ WHAT THE NAME OF THE BOOK IS AND ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT IS TO HAVE YOUR CHARACTER, BECAUSE MOST STORIES ARE ABOUT A MAIN CHARACTER. AND SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU ARE DRAWING YOUR MAIN CHARACTER, IF YOUR CHARACTER IS A REALLY ANGRY PERSON, ARE YOU GOING TO DRAW YOUR CHARACTER WITH A BIG SMILE ON THE COVER? PROBABLY NOT, RIGHT. IT'S NICE TO DRAW YOUR CHARACTER IN A WAY THAT SHOWS THEIR PARTICULAR PERSONALITY.
Lucas says OKAY, COOL. SO LET'S GET THIS COMPETITION STARTED. YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE JUDGE. WE HAVE 60 SECONDS ON THE CLOCK AND IF YOU WANT TO WATCH FEEL FREE. TIME STARTS NOW.
Greg says WE'LL NEED IT.
Lucas says OKAY.
A timer clock counts down from 60 seconds.
Ashley says WAIT YOU CAN SHOW ME THE BACKGROUND.
Greg says OKAY. START WITH THE TITLE, OKAY. IS SPELLING IMPORTANT? OH, I SEE.
Lucas says WHEN YOU COME UP WITH A FONT DO YOU HAVE TO THINK OF SOMETHING THAT'S TRUE TO THE CHARACTER?
Ashley says ABSOLUTELY. FONTS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS...
She holds up a book titled "Fairy Science" in which the I in "fairy" is a magic wand and the I in "science" is a test tube.
She continues WHERE YOU HAVE MY BOOK WE EVEN PUT SOME SCIENTIFIC PIECES INTO THE ACTUAL TITLE TO SHOW A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE STORY SO THERE IS NOT ONLY A BEAKER THERE BUT A WAND.
Lucas says HOW ABOUT WHEN YOU CREATE A TITLE.
Ashley says PARDON ME?
Lucas says HOW ABOUT WHEN YOU CREATE A TITLE?
Ashley says YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT'S EASY FOR KIDS TO READ AND SOMETHING YOU CAN REALLY REMEMBER. YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE A FIVE PARAGRAPH LONG TITLE.
Lucas says YOU'RE SO RIGHT.
The time runs out.
Greg says OKAY, LUCAS I HOPE YOU'RE DONE, I AM. I'M PRESENTING MINE FIRST, ASHLEY. HERE IT IS, TA-DAH!
Greg shows his cover, which reads "Green Aliens Cereal" and contains a drawing of a cereal bowl surrounded by tiny aliens.
Ashley says THAT'S REALLY GOOD.
Greg says OKAY LUCAS.
Lucas's cover has a drawing of a bowl of cereal and a big title that reads "Joven's Milk Trouble."
Lucas says I GOT CAUGHT UP TALKING TO YOU SO MINE JUST HAVE JOVEN'S MILK TROUBLE AND A PICTURE OF A BOWL BUT I WAS GOING TO ADD AN ALIEN, TOO.
Ashley says YOU KNOW IT'S REALLY HARD BECAUSE YOUR FONT WORK IS FANTASTIC AND I LOVE THE CATCHYNESS AND THE CHARACTER SITUATION THAT'S GOING ON OVER HERE. OH! RIGHT NOW GREEN ALIEN CEREAL.
Lucas says GREG IS THE WINNER. ASHLEY WE HAVE TO SAY BYE BUT IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU.
Ashley says THANKS SO MUCH, ASHLEY. BYE!
Greg says BYE ASHLEY!
Ashley disappears.
Lucas says WE CAN'T WAIT FOR THAT BOOK, TVOKIDS. MEANTIME GO TO TVOKIDS.COM AND CHECK OUT THE FUN STUFF THAT IS THERE. WE WANT YOU TO SHOW US YOUR FAMILY. THERE IS A WAY TO DO THAT ON TVOKIDS.COM BUT MEANTIME, I'M LUCAS. MAKE MAGIC.
Greg says I'M GREG. EAT YOUR VEGETABLES!
Lucas says HE'S IN THE SKY!
(music plays)
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