By Par stude Kingk J r. n t s f r sto n-G P u b l i c o m W allo wa S c h o i l l o w y/O rto o l i n nP ark
m agi c ,
m ay h e m ,
a nd
me
magic, mayhem, AND
ME
BY STUDENTS FROM WILLOW PARK JR. PUBLIC SCHOOL IN KINGSTON-GALLOWAY/ORTON PARK
An agency of the Government of Ontario Un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario
ISBN: 978-1-9896941-1-4 Š2020 Story Planet and The Reading Partnership-MWCS Front cover & interior illustration by Wenting Li | www.wentingli.com Interior illustration by Sabrina Tu | www.breetwo.com Book design by mumblethief | www.mumblethief.com All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from Story Planet and The Reading Partnership-MWCS. Supported by: Ontario Trillium Foundation United Way Greater Toronto Province of Ontario Toronto District School Board
We have the honour of being guests on this land, the traditional lands and waters of the Petun and Wendat Peoples, the Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunee Confederacies, and most recently the Mississaugas of the Credit River, as well as many other Indigenous nations, some of whose names are no longer remembered. We acknowledge all who came before us and have travelled the lands and waters of this territory. By saying the names of its original keepers, we remember that this territory continues to be subject to the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and Three Fires Confederacy of the Anishinaabeg to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. Today, the meeting place of Toronto is still the home to many Indigenous Peoples from across the continent, and we are grateful to work in the community on this territory. While reconciliation means different things to each community, let it compel all of us to move beyond words of acknowledgement. If it were a word in Anishinaabemowin, it would be a verb meaning to make right the wrongs, and in context, to commit to learning the history and responsibility in the genocide, displacement, and theft of land from the Indigenous nations across the land known as Canada and to continuously decolonize colonial frameworks and roles that were imposed upon Indigenous nations. We remind ourselves of how urgently current this history is and that we all have a choice in how we participate in the treaty of this place.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 12 Jahniah Aslam Tristan BOTTOM TO THE TOP by Edwards BITTER by Dhaamin HossAin THE RIDDLE by Giovanni Jordan PUMPKIN FACE’S ADVENTURES by Nathan Kaye
MIA AND THE STRAY DOG FROM THE
by
17
22
28
38 43
Lacey Lewis jade BULLIES by O’Sullivan Sajitha BLACK VS. DARK by Pakeerathan Shaelyn THE MAGICAL BOWL by Pettman Alifa THE ACCIDENT by Zannat
OREO
by
54
63
71
77
partners 83
48
INTRODUCTION
On March 12, the Ontario Government announced that all publicly funded schools in Ontario would close to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Brick and mortar classrooms were replaced by virtual classrooms as students, teachers, and parents took on new challenges posed by distance learning.
From this unprecedented virtual environment, ten students from Willow Park Junior Public School took part in “360 Stories,� a four-week creative literacy program that used real life as a launching point for imaginative storytelling. Led by professional writers and illustrators, students met online to immerse themselves in all stages of the creative process, from brainstorming and freewriting to preparing their work for publication.
The results are stories about perseverance, discovery, and conflicts large and small. Stories about strange creatures, superheroes, talking animals, sentient objects, and everyday kids, all facing their own unique problems. Stories written by young people with something to say.
13
Thank you to these amazing authors who were willing to share something about themselves through their work. And thank you to our partners who made this project possible: the City of Toronto Arts Services, and Scarborough Arts.
Enjoy these stories by creative young people beginning to find their voices. We can’t wait to read what they write next!
Camesha Cox
Liz Haines
The Reading Partnership
Story Planet
14
Mia and the Stray Dog by Jahniah Aslam
17
One day Mia went to the beach
bullies (the popular kids at school)
because she was bored at recess.
were at the beach and saw her
It was the afternoon on a very hot
hair change colour. They came
sunny day somewhere in Florida.
over and said mean things to her.
As she was standing on the
One of them pushed her. This
beach, a pug dog came running
made Mia sad, which meant her
up and sniffed her. Mia was eating
hair turned blue.
a cheeseburger and shared some with the dog. “Hello,” Mia said.
When Marley saw that, he ran
“Hmmm, maybe I should name
back to Mia’s house and told her
you. Marley! That’s a good name.”
mom, Sia, what was happening.
She was overjoyed because she’d
When Marley ran up to the house,
always wanted a dog and her
Sia was cooking chicken and rice
mom wouldn’t let her get one.
for dinner. Sia heard a scratching at the door. She opened the
After that, every day she would
door and found Marley there.
play fetch on the beach with
Marley took Sia’s dress, which was
Marley. When she played with
red and white, in his mouth and
Marley her hair turned yellow,
tugged her towards the beach.
which meant she was happy. (Her hair changed colour depending
“Stop! What are you doing?” Sia
on her mood). One day the school
said.
19
Usually, Mia would have been
“Mom, can we keep the dog?” Mia
home by that time, so Sia realized
asked.
she might be in trouble. She understood that Marley was trying
“Well, because Marley helped me
to help. “Take me to Mia,” she said.
find you, we can keep him.”
When they got to the beach, Sia
After that, Sia, Mia, and Marley
saw that her daughter was being
took the chicken and rice over to
bullied. “Leave my daughter
Mia’s best friend Mario’s house.
alone!” she said, angrily. The
Mario was wearing his blue
bullies ran off. They were really
baseball hat, his hair dyed purple.
scared that Sia might tell the
They had a family movie night and
principal and get them expelled.
watched Monster High. Everyone
Mia went to her mom and gave
felt very happy. Marley was so
her a big hug. Marley was sitting
happy that stars started to swirl
there. He was wishing he were
all around him. They were stars of
part of the hug too.
happiness.
20
— Jahniah Aslam — Tell us something unique about yourself that people should know. I have one brother and five cousins. I’m amazing at making funny faces and know almost all the dances on TikTok. What is the next story you’ll write? A story about Sia and a parrot I used to have. Who would you like to thank? My mom, Maria.
From The Bottom To The Top by Tristan Edwards
22
Once upon a time there was a
Dad’s enemy. Tristan thought that
cheetah named TJ. He lived in the
he had to do something with fire.
Toronto Zoo where he was born.
After TJ’s parents were lost in
When he was a cub, just 12-months
the fire Tristan drove down to the
old, a fire started in the area of the
animal Cage and spoke to the
zoo where he lived. His mom and
owner, Mr. Rashad.
dad died in the fire, but Tristan the Zoo Keeper was able to save TJ. TJ
“Why did you burn down my Zoo
lost his entire home and his family.
Mr. Rachad?” Tristan asked.
Tristan was very angry because
Mr. Rashad said, “ I don’t care about
he worked hard to make all those
your ugly zoo, I burned it down
cheetah’s feel at home and grow
cause I wanted to.”
strong. He spent a lot of money out of his own bank account to feed
Tristan was furious and walked out,
them. Tristan did not know how the
leaving Mr. Rashad standing there.
fire started, but he had one idea.
He decided to get back at Mr. Rashad, but didn’t know exactly
The rival Zoo called The Animal
how. He went back to the Zoo to
Cage was a very bad Zoo and
take care of TJ.
wanted the Toronto Zoo to go out of business. The owner of the
Tristan had taken care of TJ for
Toronto Zoo is Mr. Rashad, Tristan’s
years. TJ loved to play games. After
24
the fire Tristan bought TJ a PS4 and
then put them on teams. There
put it in his cage so that he could
were the Rocketship Rhinos, the
play Fortnite all day and all night.
Money
Everyday after Tristan finished
Cheaters, and the Panam Pandas -
helping the other animal he’d go to
these teams all played for the ABA
play with TJ.
(Animal Basketball Association).
Tristan was very good at basketball.
The Panam Pandas were slow
One day he tried out for the 2020
runners, but good at getting
NBA draft pick, but he did not get
rebounds and blocks. The Money
drafted, so he went back to work at
Monkeys
the Zoo. He saw something special
shooting, but they were too small
in TJ and brought him to the bas-
so they always lost on defence.
ketball court where they practiced
The Rocket Rhinos were very
playing
everyday
physical; they used their horn to
instead of playing fortnite. TJ grew
scare people out of their way. The
taller, stronger and healthier each
Toronto Cheaters (TJ’s team) were
day they practiced together.
great at moving fast up and down
basketball
Monkeys,
were
the
very
Toronto
good
at
the court but they lost stamina Tristan had an idea to train other
really quickly.
animals to play basketball with TJ. He trained all of the animals in the
Mr. Rashad heard about the ABA
Toronto Zoo to play basketball and
and wanted his animals in the ABA.
25
One day Mr. Rashad came to visit
“Do your animals even know what
Tristan. He asked Tristan to let his
basketball is?” Tristan asked.
animals play in the ABA. “No,” said Mr. Rashad Tristan laughed out loud, “are you joking?”
“Get out of my face. You’re a disgrace. Leave this place,” Tristan
“No, I’m not joking, let my animals
said.
play please,” Mr. Rashad said. Mr. Rashad walked out crying. “Remember when you burned down my Cheetah habitat, killed
Now Tristan and TJ are millionaires
TJ’s parents, and then said ‘I don’t
who donate money to cheetah
care about your ugly Zoo I’ll burn it
cubs in Africa who lost their
down if I want to’?”
parents.
Mr. Rashad said, “Forgive me please, I’ll do whatever it takes to have my animals play in the ABA.”
26
— Tristan Edwards — Tell us something unique about yourself that people should know. I like basketball and am a very active person. What is the next story you’ll write? My next story will be part two of “Bottom to the Top.” Tristan and TJ will both have a family and their kids will take on their legacy. Who would you like to thank? I’d like to thank Liz and Camesha who helped me write my story, and the illustrator who helped me draw my cheetah.
Bitter
by Dhaamin HossAin
28
Bobby was a three-year-old bat
to the tree cave where they lived.
monster. He had eight limbs (four
The hunters shot the tranquilizers
legs that he walked on and four
into the sky and hit Bobby’s dad.
that he used like arms) and a bat
Now Bobby’s mom and dad were
face and was over seven feet tall!
both unconscious and lying on the
He was gruesome looking but was
forest floor.
actually a really nice creature. He was a little afraid that he would turn
Back at the tree cave Bobby was
into his parents, who were really
learning to fly. He flew out to the
great, so he kept his niceness to
forest and saw his parents lying on
himself.
the ground. He knew he couldn’t carry them home, so he called
When
Bobby was young
his
his cousin, Joe, and his older
parents, John and Lisa, went out
brother, Kobe, to help. At first they
into the forest to get food. They
thought Bobby’s parents were only
ran into hunters, but they didn’t
sleeping, but when they tried to
know that they were hunters; they
wake them up they realized they
thought they were nice, regular
were unconscious.
people. The hunters saw that Bobby’s parents were bat-mon-
The boys carried John and Lisa
sters and shot tranquilizers at them.
into the tree cave. They all decided
His mom was hit, so his dad picked
to live there together until Bobby’s
her up and tried to fly her back
parents woke up. The boys tried to
30
wake John and Lisa up by bringing
The boys decided to befriend the
them their favourite foods. They
humans so that an adult could
hoped that they would smell the
teach them how to buy medicine,
delicious food and wake up, but
but they couldn’t find anyone to
they didn’t.
help.
Next the boys went to look for
Then Bobby met a girl named Sally.
medicine. They disguised them-
Bobby walked up to Sally and said,
selves as humans, but when they
“Help us, we’re scared?”
got to town they didn’t know how currency worked because their
“Why do you need help?” Sally
parents always bought stuff for
asked.
them, so they couldn’t buy the medicine.
Bobby said, “These people made my
They decided to look for another
mommy
and
my
daddy
unconscious.”
bat-monster to help them, but they couldn’t find any (they were
Sally said, “Why did they make
the only ones, remember!). They
them unconscious?” Then she
found a skull of a bat creature in
jumped back a bit because she
the forest, and then they knew that
was getting scared.
there used to be other bat-monsters like them.
31
“My parents look like monsters, so
Sally was a smart girl. She was ten
some hunters shot tranquilizers at
and knew a lot of things. She went
them,” said Bobby.
into the forest and found a little tranquilizer. Written on the tran-
Sally said, “Are you actually a
quilizer were the words, “This is for
human? You look and talk like a
my daughter.”
child, but you’re so tall.” She kept walking and saw a group “My parents taught me how to act
of hunters, and one of the people
human,” Bobby said.
in the group was her dad. She told Bobby, “I see my dad over there.”
“I’ll help you, but you need to do
Bobby was still in his bat-monster
one thing for me first. Let me take
form.
a picture of you in your monster form.”
The group was talking about how they’d seen monsters in the forest
Bobby changed into his monster
and there might be more. They
form. When Sally saw him she got
wanted to find them and tranquil-
a little scared, but she didn’t run
ize them.
away because she’d promised to help and a promise is a promise.
Bobby hid in a tree and Sally
Sally took the picture on her phone.
walked up to the group, and her
32
dad was confused. How did she find them? He’d left her at home.
“I’ll only help in one condition: if the monster proves he’s actually nice.”
“Do you know what this is?” Sally took out her phone and showed
Bobby flew down with Joe and
her dad the picture of Bobby in his
Kobe. The hunters started to get
bat-monster form.
their tranquilizers out.
“Yes I do. Where is he?” said Sally’s
Sally’s dad said, “Don’t! I promised
dad.
my daughter.”
“He’s trying to see his mom again
Bobby said, “Hi, my name is Bobby,”
and wake her up,” Sally said.
and he put his hand out.
“Why
are
you
helping
that
Sally’s dad said, “Prove you’re nice,
monster?” her dad asked.
creature.”
“It’s because when I lost mom
Then Bobby said, “I’ll walk through
that’s the only thing I could think
a crowd of humans just to get
of. Now I’m thinking of the monster
my parents back. I’ll never come
as me. I know how sad I was and
here again if you help me get my
losing your dad and mom must
parents back. I’ll do anything.”
feel even worse.”
33
“Would you eat a human to get
whole family standing there, and
your parents back?”
they looked just like him!
“No! I’d never eat a human. That’s
“How are you alive? We didn’t know
disgusting.”
anyone survived the attack,” asked the youngest bat-monster.
Sally’s dad said, “Okay. I’ll give you the medicine.”
“What attack?” asked Bobby.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,”
“You don’t know what attack?” said
said Bobby. He hugged Sally’s
the youngest.
dad so hard that he almost went unconscious too.
“No, I don’t. What attack?”
Bobby went back to the tree cave,
“The attack of the humans and the
but he fell down in front of his
bat-monsters. We lost because of
house because his legs were sore.
these weird-shaped things with
Then he saw something: eight
buttons,” the young bat-monster
limbs. Four legs and four arms.
said.
“Who are you?” asked Bobby. Then
“I thought maybe there were other
Bobby realized that there was a
bat-monsters too. But I’ve never
34
met any. I’ve only seen my family.” Bobby felt weird because he was
“I met a human named Sally, and
talking to another bat-monster.
she helped me”
“Take us to your cave,” said the
Bobby’s parents asked how long
young bat-monster. Bobby took
they’d been asleep. Bobby said,
them into his tree cave where his
“You’ve been asleep for two years!”
parents were sleeping. “You’ve changed so much my son,” He put the pills he got from Sally’s
said his mom.
dad into their mouths. Then he put water in their mouths. It took a few
“Did you get married son?” asked
minutes, but his parents woke up!
his dad when he saw the young bat-girl standing with Bobby
“How are you doing this?” asked the new bat-monsters.
“No, I met these people standing outside,” said Bobby.
“The humans gave me these pills.” The
new
bat-monster
family
“How did you befriend the humans?
showed Bobby and his parents
They were so mean to us. They
their cave. It was only two meters
attacked us!”
away. They were neighbours!
35
When Bobby turned seven he ran
“This is the person who saved us?”
into Sally again. She was in the
asked Bobby’s parents.
woods picking rocks. “Yes, she did!” said Bobby. “Hello Sally. I met these new bat-people.”
Sally and Bobby became friends after that. Sally’s dad stopped
“Really? That’s great.”
hunting bat-people. Then, two years later Bobby married his
Bobby introduced Sally to his
neighbour, the bat-girl. Sally went
parents.
to the wedding.
36
— Dhaamin Hossain — Tell us something unique about yourself that people should know. I’m addicted to peanuts. What is the next story you’ll write? My next story would be about a spear that wants to break a shield. Who would you like to thank? I’d like to thank Tracy.
The Riddle by Giovanni Jordan
38
One year ago, there was a villain
“It’s not fair that the Worm gets
named the Riddle. He was 19 years
$1,000 while we can’t even pay our
old and he worked for a worm. He
rent,” Ray Ray added.
lived in a brown apartment building in New York City. He shared one
“I don’t wanna do this work
room with his best friends: Jackie
anymore,” Jackie said.
who was 13, Ray Ray who was 15, and Tim who was 14. They all went
“I am done with this!” the Riddle
to the same school, and they all
shouted. He waved his hand and
shared a deep secret.
made a huge lightning bolt strike in the sky. “We gotta make a plan.
In the middle of the night, Jackie,
Let’s take on the Worm.”
Ray Ray, Tim, and the Riddle went out and did bad stuff. They each
The Bad Boyz went back to the
robbed four of five banks. They
warehouse where the Worm was
were experts. After they robbed
watching TV and eating popcorn.
the banks, they had to give most of
The Worm was surrounded by the
the money to the Worm.
bags of money.
“This isn’t fair that he gets most of
All at the same time, the Bad Boyz
the payment,” the Riddle said. “We
said, “I’M DONE WITH YOU!!”
do all the work! We only get $25, but the Worm gets $1,000!”
40
The Worm struck Jackie, Ray Ray,
Meanwhile, in the alley, the Worm
the Riddle, and Tim with lightning.
met a cat and a dog, who were the
Then, he locked them up in a cage.
most wanted villains in the world. They decided to work together, to
“What are we gonna do?” asked
take on Jackie, Ray Ray, Tim, and
Tim.
the Riddle.
Suddenly, the Riddle’s dog, Jack-
“I’m going to gather all the evil pets
son, appeared. Jackson opened
and animals to take the Bad Boyz
the cage. Then he used his wind
down.” The worm started getting
power to blow the Worm high into
other recruits for his army, as the
the sky. The Worm fell down in
city became dark with night. That’s
an alley downtown where a lot of
when all the villains started to
crime happens. He began to run
come out.
away. Find out what happens next, in Part The Riddle said, “Don’t worry. We’re
2...
gonna catch him next time.”
41
— Giovanni Jordan — Tell us something unique about yourself that people should know. I like to do cool things, like play basketball. And I like to play Lego too. What is the next story you’ll write? The next story I will write is “The Riddle Part 2: Cats’ and Dogs’ Revenge.” The Worm recruits cats and dogs, and together they make a plan to take down the Riddle and his friends. Who would you like to thank? The Story Planet team!
Pumpkin Face’s Adventures
by Nathan Kaye
43
Once there was a boy named
Pumpkin Face ran into the forest
Nathan and he was walking
crying because he didn’t know
through a pumpkin patch. He saw
how he was going to change
an old abandoned laboratory.
himself back to a boy again. While
Nathan was very curious, so he
he was walking, a little dog ran up
went inside. As he walked through
to him. The dog could talk.
the laboratory he saw lots of strange radioactive food. Nathan
“Who are you?” asked the dog
felt his tummy start growling because he was so hungry. He
“I’m Pumpkin Face, who are you?”
saw a pie and on the label it said fruit pumpkin pie. Nathan thought
“I’m Jack.”
this was strange, but because he was so hungry he took a bite.
Jack asked Pumpkin Face why he was crying. Pumpkin Face told
All of a sudden Nathan felt his
Jack the story of what happened
tummy rumbling and his skin was
to him in the laboratory.
starting to turn green. Nathan shouted, “What is happening to
Jack felt so sorry for him he said,
me?” He was transformed into a
“Don’t worry, I will be your friend.
pumpkin face. He was so freaked
Maybe we can find a way to turn
out!
you back into a boy.”
45
After that Pumpkin Face and Jack
Pumpkin Face’s house. While they
became friends! Pumpkin Face
were riding, they saw a shiny box.
brought Jack home with him
When they approached the box
because Jack lost his family and
they saw that there was a shiny
he had been wandering around in
stone inside, and the cover of the
the forest because he got lost.
box said, Whoever touches this stone will be granted one wish.
Pumpkin Face showed Jack what his favourite game was, which
Pumpkin Face quickly grabbed
was Call of Duty. He tried to teach
the treasure and he and Jack
Jack, but all Jack wanted to do
rode home. They race up to the
was play fetch and all Pumpkin
Pumpkins Face’s room. Pumpkin
Face wanted to do was play Call
Face asked Jack what he should
of Duty, but the two really enjoyed
do. Jack looked at him and said,
having each other’s company.
“Whatever is in your heart.”
Sometimes Pumpkin Face would ride his bike with Jack in the
Pumpkin Face closed his eyes and
basket in front and they explored
touched the stone. All of a sudden
along the bike path and even flew
there was a bright light and a loud
their Dorito-shaped kite in the
bang. When Pumpkin Face looked
park.
at his hands he could see that he was human. What he wanted to
One day Pumpkin Face and Jack
happen had happened. Pumpkin
were riding on the bike path near
Face was a human again and his
46
name was Nathan.
— Nathan Kaye — Tell us something unique about yourself that people should know. I’m good at Lego builds. What is the next story you’ll write? I’m going to keep writing about Pumpkin Face and Jack. Who would you like to thank? My mom!
Oreo
by Lacey Lewis
48
There once lived a panda who
A few days later, after she had
liked helping other animals. Her
practiced flying a lot, Oreo
name was Oreo. She was twelve
decided to see if everything she’d
years old, and she was short and
heard about the humans was true.
wore a tee-shirt with a panda on
She had read that some humans
it. She wore a yellow bow in her
disrespected the wildlife and
hair. She had different coloured
hunted other animals and took the
eyes, one green and one blue.
food that the animals needed to
Oreo lived in a big forest with lots
survive.
of trees and bamboo and small lakes and rivers. She lived with her
Oreo flew over all the trees to see
family (her brother, mom, and dad)
if she could find a town or village
in a den. The den had walls made
where the people lived. She flew
of rocks and dirt, and the furniture
over lots of trees and got lost. She
was made of bamboo.
was confused and scared. She made a stop to ask some bears
One day Oreo was climbing in a
on the ground if there were any
tree and then fell, but she didn’t
nearby towns or villages.
hit the ground—instead, she started flying! She was shocked
“Sorry, we don’t know any nearby
and scared, and after that she
villages or towns,” the bears said.
started helping other animals that were stuck in trees.
Oreo continued flying. After she
50
continued, she looked down and
Oreo asked, “Are you a nice
saw lots of houses with holes
person, and do you like animals?”
on their roofs. She flew down to check if there were people
The little girl said, “Yes, I do.”
there. The houses had doors that were falling off, and the windows
Oreo was happy. She thought,
were open and dusty. There was
“Humans aren’t so bad after all.”
nothing inside the houses at all. She saw animal footprints and
Oreo thought it would be a good
scratch marks everywhere.
idea to take the little girl back to where she lived to prove to the
Oreo continued flying to look for
other animals that humans are
more towns nearby. Eventually
nice. She asked the little girl if she
she found one. She flew down.
wanted to come with her, and the
She saw a little girl with long hair,
girl said yes, so Oreo held the girl
who was wearing jeans and a
in her arms and flew back over the
sweatshirt. Oreo walked slowly up
trees.
to her. When they got back, Oreo “Hi,” said Oreo.
showed the girl to the animals. The girl talked to the animals, and
The little girl said, “Hi.”
the animals started to think that humans were nice. Oreo and her
51
friends decided to gather up all
over the scratch marks and fixed
the humans and animals and put
the windows and doors and the
them together so they could live
roofs. The animals lived in the
side by side.
forest around the town. And then they lived happily together, side
The humans moved to the
by side.
abandoned village. They painted
52
— Lacey Lewis — Tell us something unique about yourself that people should know. I like going outside to see the scenery, the sun, the air. What is the next story you’ll write? It would be about polar bears because they are interesting. Who would you like to thank? I’d like to thank everyone!
Bullies
by jade O’Sullivan
54
Leanna was sitting at her desk
she walked the rest of the way to
trying to pay attention to what
school with her head down. She
the teacher was saying. Her mind
was scared of what the bullies
was occupied by what happened
would do, so she didn’t tell the
to her earlier in the day. Before
teachers.
school had started, Sabrina and her three friends Zebi, Lucas, and
Leanna had class with Sabrina
Brooklyn had all ganged up on
and Lucas. Brooklyn and Zebi
her and taken her bag. Leanna
had her bag and were giggling in
walked to school alone every day,
line at school. The bullying had
but today she didn’t see them
happened multiple times, but this
coming. Sabrina and Zebi held her
was the first time they took her
back and twisted her arms while
bag. All Leanna could think about
Brooklyn and Lucas wrestled the
was getting her bag back. The
bag off of her.
bag had her drawings in it and many other things that brought
She’d screamed, “Let me go!”
her joy: a pencil case and a gift she’d made for her teacher. She
When the bullies grabbed her,
really loved that teacher—she was
they’d hurt her wrist. Now her
always caring and kind.
wrists were red, and so was her whole arm. They took off, and
Leanna was afraid to tell anyone
56
what happened because she
something was wrong, but Leanna
knew the bullies would beat her
didn’t want to tell the story until
up if she did. She didn’t want to
they were all present. When Kassy
tell the teacher because she’d
finally arrived, Leanna told them
tell the principal and the principal
everything. The bullies were after
would suspend them but not
them too.
expel them so they’d be back to bully her again. Leanna knew that
“It’s time to put a stop to them
if she told her parents they’d be
once and for all!” Leanna said with
furious—these days it seemed as
a serious tone.
if everything made them furious, and they were always arguing.
Leanna’s lunch was in her bag too.
They’d probably go straight to the
She pictured the bullies ravishing
bullies’ parents, and who knew
through it. Her friends shared their
what would come of that.
lunch with her. Before the end of lunch they decided that they
At the sound of the lunch bell,
would meet again, this time at the
Leanna made her way to the
tree house in Leanna’s backyard.
meeting spot, the willow tree
There they’d plot and plan how to
in the school yard. She met her
solve the problem and get all of
friends Jessica, Kassy, Lucy, and
Leanna’s things back.
Duke every day. They could tell
57
Leanna couldn’t wait for the
the groups, said, “No matter the
school day to be over, and at the
choice, we still have to stop them.”
bell she and her friends rushed over to her house.
They went back and forth as a group for a while until Lucy
While meeting at the treehouse
decided to make the final
they spoke around snacks laid out
decision. She jumped out of her
by Leanna’s mom.
seat as if over the conversation and said, “Guys! We should just
“Why don’t we just tell the
tell them ourselves, or else we
principal? He can tell them to
will never be able to face our
stop,” Duke said.
problems on our own.”
“Why don’t we just tell them
Without hesitation, Leanna
ourselves?” Leanna replied.
agreed, “Fine, we’ll tell them ourselves. But if they don’t listen
Kassy, while wiping the crumbs
we should still tell the principal.”
from off her mouth, shyly agreed
They all agreed.
with Duke. “We should tell the principal,” she said in a low tone.
The next day Leanna and her friends met up at the willow tree
Jessica, the indifferent one out of
before school started. When the
58
bullies arrived, Jessica saw them
“Because we told you so,” Leanna
first and alerted the group. “Guys,
replied with a grin on her face.
look,” she said. “You aren’t the boss of us, it’s Leanna felt confident that after
actually the other way around,”
all the times she had been dis-
Sabrina said.
respected and made to feel bad, she would finally be able to put
At this point Leanna started to
an end to it. They walked over as
sweat, although there was no
a group. The bullies were having
real reason to—she hadn’t been
a conversation. It was promptly
running, she’d been standing in
interrupted by Leanna.
the same spot.
“We are here to tell you to give me
Sabrina continued, “We are
back my bag and stop bullying us,
bigger, better, and stronger than
and leave us alone. You’ve been
you guys.”
bullying us for too many years, and we have gotten tired of it.”
Leanna’s face started taking on a different hue. It looked hotter and
“And why would we do that?”
redder, and the only one to notice
Sabrina responded.
was shy Kassy.
59
Sabrina stepped closer to Leanna.
Kassy was the only one able to
She briefly noticed the difference
pull herself out of the confusion of
in Leanna’s face, but it wasn’t
the moment and ask Leanna, “Do
enough to stop her from pushing
you want me to go get help?”
her to the ground. “No, I’m okay,” Leanna responded. Leanna sprung back up. Her
She tried to calm herself down.
hands were now releasing smoke,
Taking deep breaths might help
and the smoke was turning into
the fire on her hands go away.
fire. The fire coming from Leanna’s hands illuminated the bullies’
She was right: the fire slowly
faces, and all of them except for
started going down. She looked
Sabrina backed up.
up at Sabrina with tears in her eyes, and said, “I’m just a person.
Lucas nervously asked from
Why do you bully us? We’re a lot
behind Sabrina, “Are you okay?”
like you guys. Bullying is never the answer to anything, you’re causing
“I don’t know,” Leanna said,
us pain for no reason. Even with
looking confused at her hands.
my hands on fire right now, I could hurt you, I could cause you pain,
Leanna’s friends were all behind
but I won’t.”
her with the same look on their faces. Nobody was expecting this.
60
Sabrina, now with a scared look
It might have been the fact that
on her face, said, “I’m sorry, we
her hands were just burning, or
won’t be doing that again.” Sabrina
the fact that Leanna had just
took Leanna’s bag from Lucas and
stood up to her long time bullies,
handed it to her, and they walked
or the fact that her friends were
away.
now holding her in the most comfortable and reassuring embrace,
Kassy ran up to Leanna and gave
but Leanna felt happy that she
her a big hug, and the rest of her
had fulfilled her goal.
friends followed.
61
— Jade O’Sullivan — Tell us something unique about yourself that people should know. I like to listen to music and sing along. and I’m left footed (I kick with my left). What is the next story you’ll write? The next story I’ll write will be another problem-solving story. It will be another fictional story. Who would you like to thank? I’d like to thank everyone!
Black vs. Dark by Sajitha Pakeerathan
63
Once upon a time there lived
forest, which she used to make a
a cheetah named Speedy, and
big beautiful bed for herself.
he lived in a cabin deep down in the forest surrounded by lots of
Funny had a hobby collecting
trees with his friends, who were
bamboo and making yoga mats
named Soft, Funny, Strong, and
out of it.
Banana. Speedy had white fur and black spots and had the power of
Strong had a hobby practicing fight
invisibility.
moves with trees out in the forest.
It was very scary deep down in the
Banana had a hobby to keep eating
forest because it was dark from
bananas.
the raging rainstorm. Speedy and his friends did not mind the dark
Speedy’s hobby was to keep using
because they were really strong
his power of invisibility and to
and brave and always had fun,
practice fighting.
even though it was dark. Some of the other animals did not Speedy and his friends living in the
like Speedy’s friends living so close
cabin all had their own hobbies:
to them in the forest because they wanted the space to themselves.
Soft
had
a
hobby
collecting
One day the animals came from
leftover peacock feathers in the
the other side of the forest. They
65
were shouting, “We don’t want you
Soft sharpened the end of the
here, we want to get rid of you!”
peacock feathers that she had collected and kept them in a cov-
AngerZebra was the leader of the
ered-up storage ready to use when
pack and different kinds of animals
a fight started.
were team members. AngerZebra wanted to become the king of the
In the middle of the fight the Evil
forest, and the only way for him to
Queen from the Blackside came to
do that was to get rid of Speedy
help AngerZebra destroy Speedy
and his friends or to steal their
and his friends once and for all.
powers.
She tried to use one of her powers to destroy Speedy first. She used
They started fighting. Funny had
her fireball power, but every time
created a large yoga mat and
she stretched out her hand, it
attached sharp pinecones to it. He
didn’t work because Speedy used
used it like a huge frisbee against
his invisible powers.
AngerZebra. She gave up on trying to get Banana used the banana peels
Speedy
and
went
after
Soft
from all of the bananas he’d eaten
instead. Soft didn’t know what to
and threw them on the floor to
do. The Evil Queen started to use
make it more slippery.
her ice powers and froze Soft and kidnapped her! Then she went
66
after Banana and Funny. She used
was going to destroy them. When
her ivy powers to tangle them up
Soft looked up and saw Strong
and made sure that it was extra
and Funny, she felt very happy that
tight, so tight that Funny and
they came to save her, and she
Bannan
calmed herself down. Strong and
fainted
because
they
couldn’t breathe!
Funny told her that Speedy was in trouble and that they had to go
Speedy went to fight with the
help him. When they found where
queen and Strong went to help
Speedy was, they saw that he had
Banana and Funny. He found giant
magically taken the Evil Queen’s
leaves and tied them together and
firepower! Speedy was shooting
used them as a fan to give them
fireballs at the Evil Queen, and she
more air to breathe. It worked.
was destroyed.
Strong found a sharp stick and untangled them.
When
AngerZebra
and
his
friends saw that Speedy had Together they went looking for
now destroyed the Evil Queen,
Soft. They swung from a long
they were shocked and ran away
branch right onto the Blackside.
because they thought Speedy
By the time they found Soft, all
would destroy them too. Speedy
of the ice had melted around her,
didn’t want to harm them, as he
she was really scared because
knew the Evil Queen was behind
she thought that the Evil Queen
this all. AngerZebra and his friends
67
didn’t really want to be mean,
Strong and Speedy had the idea to
because they realized that Speedy
create a store selling all the things
and his friends were innocent and
their friends made.
nice. Months after the fight, AngerZebra Once the fight was over, Speedy
came to visit because he noticed
and his friends went back to the
Speedy and his friends were really
cabin. After a few days, they were
nice, and he wanted to become
happy doing their hobbies again
friends with them too.
and having fun.
He apologized for the fights in the past, and said, “I’m sorry for the
Soft
began
collecting
more
fight we had months ago. The Evil
feathers to make cushions and
Queen was very horrible. I’m so
pillows.
sorry. Wanna be friends?”
Banana kept eating bananas. Once
Speedy
he was done with the peels, he
apology. We can become friends.
used them to make art.
But I have one warning for you:
said,
“I
accept
your
you have to promise never to fight Funny was still making yoga mats
with us again. You are welcome to
out of bamboo, but he tried to
come and help us with our store.”
make them softer for other animals to use.
68
Speedy took AngerZebra to the
They lived happily and had no
store and took him on a tour.
problems for the rest of their lives.
They packed up the store at night. AngerZebra and other animals and family members from around the forest came to help.
69
— Sajitha Pakeerathan — Tell us something unique about yourself that people should know. I like learning languages: Hindi, Bengali, Odia, French, and Hyderabadi. What is the next story you’ll write? My next story will be about friends travelling to different dream countries like Paris, America, Singapore, and India. Who would you like to thank? I’d like to thank all of you!
The Magical Bowl by Shaelyn Pettman
71
I was at home in my house. I was
The note said, “Here’s the location
sitting on my couch and playing
for the water, and that’s where the
on my phone when I heard a
lake will be.” There was a map and
knock on my front door. There was
coordinates so I could walk to the
no one at the front door, just a gift
lake.
in a box and a note. I felt a little bit scared.
At the lake, which was like a river, there was a bucket with another
The note said, “We used to hang
note that said, “Take a bucketful
out a long time ago, and this is a
of the water to the well in your
gift from that person.”
backyard, keep it in the well for five minutes, and then it becomes
I decided to write a note to see
magical. Now take the bucket to
if they would write back to me.
the well and get the magic water
Then I got some scissors, because
and put it into the bowl, say the
there was tape on the box, and
magical words, ‘magical water,’
inside there was another note and
and then it will turn on.”
a bowl. I took the water and put it into the I was confused. “What is this? Why
bowl and said the magical words,
is she or he giving me this bowl?”
and another note appeared in the water. It said, “You can change
73
the magical words to anything
After I did the dishes, I went over
you like.” I changed them to
to the bowl and it gave me a
“sparkling magic water.” When the
snack: a bowl of chocolate and
bowl turned on it was clear with
vanilla ice cream with whipped
sparkles, and when it turned off it
cream, chocolate sauce, and a
was white with sparkles.
cherry on top.
The bowl turned on and I tapped
After I ate it, I asked the bowl,
the water and the water said, “Hi
“Hey magical bowl can you call a
Shaelyn, how are you today?”
friend? I want to go for a walk.”
“Good! Can I ask a question?”
The bowl said, “Which one?” and it showed the contacts for all my
The bowl said, “Yes.”
friends, and I picked Rose.
“Can you help me do the dishes?”
“Hi Rose, do you want to go walk the dogs with me?”
The bowl sparkled with gold, and from the bottom (where there was
“Yeah, let’s do it!” And Rose came
a split) it opened and a sponge
over to my house and I got my
and soap came out.
dog, Shady, and we went for a walk around the neighbourhood.
74
“Rose! This secret friend gave me
Suddenly something was knocked
a bowl, and it’s magical.”
over on the porch, and the bowl said, “There is movement outside.”
Rose said, “Let’s figure out who it is!”
I looked at the security camera and saw Rose writing a note. It
We decided to leave another note
was Rose all along!
at the front door of my house. “Oh, you’re welcome for the bowl!” “Let’s watch a movie now,” I said.
said Rose. We both laughed, and then we watched the movie and
“Ok, I’ll get some popcorn from
we were best, best friends.
the store,” said Rose and left.
75
— Shaelyn Pettman — Tell us something unique about yourself that people should know. Something that people don’t know about me is that I can make strawberry shortcake! What is the next story you’ll write? I’d write chapter two of “The Magic Bowl.” Who would you like to thank? I’d like to thank all of you guys.
The Accident by Alifa Zannat
77
My name is Rosie. I am ten years
birds everywhere and flowers
old and I have a beautiful home
blooming. I was with my mom and
and neighbourhood. My neigh-
my sister Rose. (My dad was at
bourhood has trees, flowers
work.) It was crowded in the pool
everywhere, and a park with a
because it was a hot day and the
huge circular swimming pool. I
kids were bored. I was lying on the
have sparkly hair and a dress with
big rainbow floatie when I had to
a big bow on it. I like to do art and
go to the bathroom so badly. But
play at the park and with my sister,
I didn’t want to because I wanted
Rose. I also have a mom and dad.
to keep playing. Then I had to go very, very badly, so I jumped off
One Saturday I was at the pool.
the floatie and walked slowly to
The pool is big with lots of room to
my mom. But I couldn’t make it, so
play. It is so fun because there are
I just peed in the pool.
toys in there, like a huge rainbow shaped floatie that you can lie on,
The water turned very warm and
and a smaller one too. The smaller
there was yellow everywhere!
one you can just play with, not lie
All the kids speed-walked off,
on.
screaming.
It was a very sunny, hot
I started crying. I felt very sad. I felt
summer day, and there were
like I was melting.
79
My mom came. She was embar-
“I’m sorry,” I said sadly. “I didn’t
rassed. She told me to come with
mean to.”
her, and she took me into the public bathroom. I went to take a
We went to bed. I took my diary
shower. After the shower, we got
out of its secret box. The box
all of our stuff and left.
is made of cardboard and has flowers on it and a lock. I keep it
On the way home, my mom called
hidden under my bed. It holds my
the swimming pool workers to tell
favourite toy (a small doll from
them that they needed to clean
when I was little) and my diary.
the pool. They said okay. I wrote about my day and everyAt home my sister Rose took a
thing that happened. I went to
shower. She was upset because
sleep angry. This is what I wrote:
she had wanted to spend more time at the pool. I felt upset too.
One Saturday I was at the pool and
We ate dinner and had a tiny bit of
I accidentally peed at the pool. The
free time.
water turned very warm and there was yellow everywhere. In the pool
“We could’ve spent way more
there are lots of floating toys so
time there,” Rose said. She had her
kids can play. There were about ten
hands on her hips and was very
other kids in the pool . I like to go
angry.
shopping with my parents and my
80
favourite pineapple pizza đ&#x;?•. I also go
clean up my room and sometimes
to the park when it’s a sunny đ&#x;˜Ž day. I
help mom cook. I love my family so
really enjoy playing in the park with
much.
sliding, swings etc. I always try to
— Alifa Zannat — Tell us something unique about yourself that people should know. I love to draw and clean. (I just cleaned my room!) What is the next story you’ll write? A scary story, about someone trapped in a haunted house. Who would you like to thank? My mom and my dad.
this book is made possible by a partnership between...
Arts Services is a unit of
Established in 2011, The Reading Partnership (TRP) is focused on raising the literacy levels of children by building the capacity of parents/caregivers, and establishing a local culture of reading and learning in communities that need it the most. Through partnerships with schools, educators, community groups/organizations, and parents/caregivers, TRP creates literacy-focused programs, resources and opportunities that children and families need to be successful at all stages of life.
Arts and Cultural Services in Economic Development and Culture for the City of Toronto. Arts Services develops and promotes opportunities for artistic expression, arts education, and audience development by encouraging access to the arts for all.
TRP is a project of MakeWay Charitable Society.
Excite. Educate. Empower. Story Planet is a nonprofit organization working in underresourced communities with students in grades 2–12 to develop their voices and improve their literacy skills through non-traditional creative learning experiences.
Scarborough Arts, a nonprofit, charitable organization, is the only arts organization
We believe that empowering children to share their voices, and respect the voices of others, will create a more empathic and inclusive world.
of its kind specifically serving the Scarborough community through innovative arts and culture programs for citizens of all ages. We bring arts to the community and community to the arts. A STORYMAKING CENTRE FOR KIDS AND TEENS
“Magic, Mayhem, and Me” contains stories by some inspiring students from Willow Park Junior Public School. In these pages you’ll meet strange creatures, superheroes, talking animals, sentient objects, and everyday kids, all facing their own unique problems. “Magic, Mayhem, and Me” is the culmination of a fourweek project called 360 Stories Online, which brought together 10 authors from the Kingston-Galloway / Orton Park community in East Scarborough. The collection is a result of their amazing imaginations and hard work.
ISBN 9781989694114
9 781989 694114
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