Magic, Mayhem, and Me

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

90000 >