NYC Connecting Stories Anthology 2021 by literacytrust

North Yorkshire Coast: Everyday Heroes

“Congratulations to all the young writers featured in this anthology. I am so impressed by their imaginative and creative stories a must-read!” Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive, National Literacy Trust

Connecting Stories Connecting Stories

Connecting Stories, funded by Arts Council England, aims to increase children and young people’s interest in reading and writing, and to promote diverse voices and stories. Children and young people were invited to take part in a creative writing competition which has been judged by publishers, authors and community champions. This anthology celebrates their creativity and hard work. We hope all entrants feel extremely proud to see their story published and that this gives them the confidence and passion to continue writing.

Connecting Stories

The National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260 and a company limited by guarantee no. 5836486 registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in Scotland no. SC042944. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL Supported by Arts Council England Cover illustration © Steve Antony, 2021 Zine illustrations on activity pages © Kristyna Baczynski, 2021 Design and content © National Literacy Trust, 2021 Design by Jacob Hawkins All enquiries around this anthology should be directed to: contact@literacytrust.org.uk

Connecting Stories North Yorkshire Coast: Everyday Heroes

The National Literacy Trust is a charity dedicated to improving the reading, writing, speaking and listening skills of those who need it most, giving them the best possible chance of success in school, work and life. We support communities, schools and early years settings and campaign to make literacy a priority. The Connecting Stories campaign is a project funded by Arts Council England to increase children and young people’s interest in reading and writing and to promote diverse voices and stories. Connecting Stories provides a programme of exciting events, such as virtual author visits, creative writing competitions, and activities for families to enjoy.

With thanks... We would like to thank Arts Council England for funding and supporting the Connecting Stories project. We would also like to thank Faber & Faber and Usborne and authors Chloe Daykin and Jenny Pearson, who generously supported this anthology, and extend warm thanks to the numerous community champions and corporate volunteers who have kindly donated their time to help bring this anthology together: Atlantic Books

Hannah Fogg

Cambridge University Press

Charlotte Kim

Emerald Publishing

James Kingett

Faber & Faber

Jenna Lee

Pearson

Michael Leyland

Saffron Alexander

Marykate McGrath

Sally Atkinson

Jan Papworth

Gaganpreet Kaur Basra

Allison Potter

Sheena Carman

Tahera Sultana

Dawn Claypole

Emile Tambeh

Rhona Drever

Felicia Tennant

Margaret Duff And finally, thank you to all of the children who took part. It is their stories that make this anthology so special.

A word from children’s author, Chloe Daykin:

A word from children’s author, Jenny Pearson:

It’s a real honour to be involved with this project and I am delighted to have had the pleasure of reading the brilliant entries from the North Yorkshire Coast. All the writing included in this anthology has captured the spirit of the theme ‘Everyday Heroes’ in imaginative, original and big-hearted ways.

I am delighted to have had the pleasure of reading entries from the North Yorkshire Coast. Anthologies traditionally don’t include the voices of children. Yet these are the very groups of people with the most creative ideas and the most relevant experience! This definitely came across in the entries. We’ve collected the best young voices from across the North Yorkshire Coast and gathered them all in these pages.

Children have vital things to say and the most imaginative ideas and experiences to share. Creative writing is a powerful art form that gives everyone the chance to discover themselves, their voice, their imagination and their heart and to communicate in a profound and wonderful way. As an author I love to write about characters in tough situations with big hearts and guts and take them on thrilling adventures. I love to be inspired by places I’ve never been to (taking readers to places they’d love to go) and wonderful ones I have. I love to invent unusual characters, overhear interesting conversations and learn weird facts. I love to hear what children think and the questions they have about the world. I love food and animals and day dreaming and using words to make images and the way that all these thoughts and imaginings become books! I believe reading and writing are a kind of magic able to take you anywhere with anyone at any time no matter who or where you are. They open up the world and are a fantastic freedom. Enjoy!

As a teacher as well as an author, I have been fortunate to be able to draw inspiration from the young people that I have taught over the years. My own writing is full of characters that are based on the many brilliant children that I have had the pleasure to get to know. I see so much kindness, humour and compassion in the classroom, and I saw all of this again in the wonderful entries that were submitted. Through both reading and writing, you can do the impossible. You can travel far and wide without leaving your home. You can meet interesting new people, you can ride dragons or fly spaceships – you may even save the world. And actually, from reading these stories about everyday heroes, I think that with kids like you, saving the world might not be that impossible after all. I wish you as much joy reading this anthology as I had selecting the entries and above all that they inspire you to keep reading and writing. Jenny Pearson

Contents

A Word from our Hub Manager, Rosie Barrett We asked you to tell us tales of your everyday heroes – and the responses came in! I am delighted to be able to share them here in this creative collection of writing by young people from across the North Yorkshire Coast. So, who are your everyday heroes? How did you tackle this theme? Many of you reflected on your experiences during the last year – many of the entries have understandably been shaped by living through a pandemic. The resulting writing is heartfelt, considered and often very moving. In the words of one entry, you thought about the people who “kept us going when times were tough”. You expressed your gratitude to the important people in your own lives – figures within your community, neighbourhood or school, sometimes within your own families. I’m sure those same family members are deservedly proud of the results! For others amongst you, the competition took you far away into a creative world where anything could happen. It was lovely to see magical elements, as well as realistic ones, as you used creative writing as escapism. Anyone who has ever got lost in a book during a difficult time will appreciate just how wonderful and powerful the world of fiction can be! It was inspiring to see a generation of young writers finding that for themselves. However you responded, I would like to thank you for doing so – your entries have moved me, amused me, made me smile and made me proud! Well done – and keep writing! Rosie Barrett Our Stories: Whitby, Scarborough, Filey

Winning entries: Joint first place 02 Molly P, 10

04 Ewan W, 11

2nd place: 06 James O, 8

All entries 07 Flo V, 9

26 Oskar B, 7

40 Charleigh J, 10

08 Rosa-lin B, 8

26 Harry G, 9

40 Maddie J, 7

10 Benja B, 9

29 Henry H, 9

41 Tyler A, 10

13 Kaelan A, 8

30 Katy C, 10

42 Bryony J, 11

14 Evan T, 11

31 Christopher B, 9

42 Jessica H, 9

16 Aysha B, 10

31 Katy G, 8

43 Harriet R, 8

18 Izzy C-H, 10

32 Millie P, 9

45 Jack W, 8

19 Drew G, 11

35 Olivia G, 11

45 Sophie R, 8

21 Elsie L, 10

37 Phoebe W, 10

23 Florence B, 9

38 Tyler M, 9

49 Participating schools

24 Poppy B, 9

39 Hannah B, 7

Winning entry: Molly P, 10

“Is everything ok?” asked Mum, with a big smile on her face.

My Hero

“Yes, never better,” I said, then we headed off home. While I was in the car, I could not stop thinking about how I could find my hero.

I believe in a land far away lives my hero, who will fight villains and have a giant mansion and a limousine. And they will have their own swimming pool. But the only way I can reach my hero is to go through a secret portal. Other people can come through it too, but only if their heart is pure and true. “As if,” said Leo (bully alert). “That’s a lie – dragons are more real than that,” shouted Sandy, Leo’s twin sister, then she pushed me over only because she wants to take my school bag and make my try to get it, because I’m not tall enough to get it back. “If it really is true, then bring your so-called superhero to school. You have got two days,” whispered Leo in my ear. Finally I was able to reach my bag from Sandy and ran to Mum, who came to pick me up from a long day at school. Then I gave her a tight hug.

POP! The idea popped into my head. I could interview my favourite superheroes, and I could see which one was the closest to my superhero list. First on my superhero list were Batman and Hulk. After a long interview, you could say that it did not go as planned. Batman turned into a very rude bat, and the moment I came into the Batcave, Hulk curled up into a little ball of fright. But who’s to judge? So in the end they were not my heroes. Who is my hero then if my favourite heroes are not as good as they seem on TV? Who could it be? I know! Who has helped me all the way through my life: My Mum! PS: love your Mum or Dad because they are your real heroes.

Winning entry: Ewan W, 11 Manar the Barn Owl. I once saw the owl one cloudy late afternoon whilst out for a walk with my mum, dad and sister. He was flying silently along the edge of the wood alongside the footpath across the fields to Robin Hood’s Bay.

He was rescuing them from the torrent of water! Each time the mice said thanks to the owl, “you are our hero”. But they couldn’t have, animals don’t talk! Dad said that it was some kind of magic that happens at times like this. Just then, Manar landed on a post looked at me and winked. It really was magic and he really was a hero!

You could hear Manar Beck raging over the rocks as it made its way to the sea. It had been raining heavily for days so the beck was in full flood. The owl dropped down to the ground alongside the beck and took off again with something in its talons. I lost count of the times it did this and my mum said that he was hunting and must be very hungry with all the mice he was catching. I decided to call him Manar after the beck. We watched for ages and realised that he wasn’t eating the mice but carrying them up the hill and putting them down safely then flying back to do it all again.

Second place entry: James O, 8 My Mum is my Everyday hero. She is a care manager who cares for people and cares in the community around Scarborough and a place called Botton near Whitby. My Mum is good and kind. She helps lots of people in her job. She helps people who need care and their carers. She helps with tablets and medication. She makes sure they are looked after. She helps them in their homes. She looks after them through the night. Dear diary, I woke up and got ready for the day ahead. I had my breakfast and then I worked from home, working on my laptop and calling carers. At 4pm I got ready to go support a lady who we care for. When I got there I put on my PPE before we cooked her tea and gave her tablets. We did some arts and crafts together in the evening before she got ready for bed. I stayed till the morning to look after her in case she needed any help through the night.

Flo V, 9 Virtual Valancius and Robo-Hopper’s excellent adventure “Floo, you slept in again!” Mum roared up the stairs. I opened my eyes sharply to see my Valancius pad was lowing red. I swiftly pressed the button and Virtual Valancius appeared on my screen. “There is an emergency involving snow, come to school immediately!” she said dramatically. I put on my snow boots and carried a shovel to school. I cleared a path of snow. When I finally got to school, I could see a bunch of igloos on the playground. There was chalk on the ground that said two metres and there was one huge castle made entirely of snow! I thought that was very strange – even for Northstead! From the castle door out popped Virtual Valancius, except she wasn’t virtual any more, she was real! She said: “This is our new classroom. I use Robo-Hopper to help.” (Robo-Hopper was Mr Hopper, but Robo-Hopper was a robot he made for science week) “He shovelled the snow and I shaped the igloos.”

“WOW, Virtual Valancius, we make an excellent team,” I said. “I put the patterns and your names on them. You all have your own, they are assigned and they all have your favourite things in them.”

Rosa-lin B, 8 Date: 26.02.2021 Dear diary, First I woke up and stretched my big arms. I jumped out of bed grabbed a shower then got dressed into some work clothes. I went to the kitchen and had some lovely breakfast. It was time for work, so I picked up my bag and went outside. What a beautiful morning. I took a deep breath to take in the fresh air. Next I hopped into the car and began my journey to work. I felt fresh and ready for the new day. My shower made me feel so energised. I love my job and felt excited to see all the children’s happy smiling faces.

The journey to my work was a really great twenty minute drive. The school that I work at is in the next town. It is a small school surrounded by trees and a big open field. When I arrived I drove into the car park spot that I always park in. I got out of my car and grabbed my bag. Taking another deep breath feeling happy and content. Ready to start my day. I happily rushed into the school, signed myself in and headed for my classroom. When I got into the classroom I sat on the chair then got everything ready for the children’s work. When the children came into the classroom I told them all to wash their hands and get ready to start the lesson. The first lesson was maths. My favourite lesson. The maths lesson was all about counting coins. The second lesson was art. Also my favourite lesson. The art lesson was all about drawing a selfportrait. In a flash the end of school bell rang. The rest of the lessons went so fast I can’t remember them. The children packed up their things and headed out giggling and talking among themselves. When the last child left me for their parents I went back to clear away the rest of the classroom. It was home time.

The drive home seemed quicker. When I arrived at home I got out of my car grabbed my bag and headed inside. I felt a little exhausted. I laid on the sofa with my dog. Then I said to myself I’m not going to cook, takeaway it is. Mmmmm pizza! I took a shower, got fresh PJs, grabbed my duvet and headed to the sofa. Whilst waiting for my pizza to arrive I looked for a film. Harry Potter was the top of my list. I then went to the kitchen, I was pouring myself a drink when there was a knock at the door. PIZZA! I took the pizza, got my drink and headed for the sofa. A nice cosy night watching my favourite film, eating my favourite takeaway with my best friend Buddy, my dog. What more could a girl want?

Benja B, 9 My Hero Looking out across North Bay Beach in Scarborough, my grandad stood admiring the calm waves whilst the sun

shone above him from miles away. He was born and raised in Scarborough and this view was his favourite. He observed the golden sand and the gargantuan cliff tops near the castle and the sapphire blue sky whilst the yellow sun was talking to it. What he couldn’t see, that I could, was a silky red cape, flapping in the breeze behind him. He is my hero, let me tell you why. My Grandad plays in a rock band called Guilty as Charged. He’s the lead guitarist. People think he’s 20 but he is 75. I have been to his gigs and there is a cacophony of sound emulating from the audience as they cheer, shout, scream and dance. The atmosphere is electric with excitment as Grandad strums the wires on his guitar with skill and pleasure. On the grassy fields, he swings his golf club as hard as he can onto the ball so it goes as far as possible towards the hole. Tension is building while the golf ball whistles in the mid-air. Everyone’s eyes follow its flight like a hawk trying to capture its prey. Then suddenly *DROP!* the ball lands on the green, still rolling, rolling, rolling towards the flag it teetered on the

edge. Suddenly a flash of wind blew and pushed the ball into the hole.

Everyday Hero’s Diary

“Hole in one,” he exclaimed in a proud voice.

Dear Diary,

My grandad is really funny, he tells me jokes all the time to entertain me. When I am feeling down and blue, these jokes make me giggle and laugh. He’s always supporting other people and making them feel good too because he is kind and caring to others. He hides a secret that is really painful to him, that he can’t get rid of, that exists in various parts of his body. Grandad’s cells are like the Romans and the Celts fighting each other with swords and spears, bows and arrows for territory. Cancer can feel like a battlefield.

First I woke up and had my breakfast. Then I got dressed and brushed my teeth. Then I left my house and go to football training to get ready for the big match.

His red cape exists not just because he is kind, not just because he is talented and skilled, but because he reminds me to stay positive, to love, even during the hardest of times. My grandad’s cape will always flap in the breeze behind him, even if he can’t see it.

Kaelan A, 8

I felt excited and full of energy because I get to play football all day and I love it. During the morning at football training I did lots of running and shooting practice and it was lots of fun and made me happy but also made me very tired. After football training I got changed and had some dinner then in the afternoon I went to visit my family. At the end of the day I felt happy because I had done things I enjoy doing. But I’m also tired from all the running so to relax I played on my computer with my friends

Evan T, 11 Hello I’m Jack I’m a normal 9-year-old boy who lives on a normal street I have a very ordinary house from the outside but nobody knows what secrets lie in my house. Well that’s what I like to think anyway. But there’s this one boy named Rahj in my school and, oh boy, is he crackers. He gets bullied all the time for coming up with weird questions but he’s my best friend and they’ve got to get past me before they try and humiliate him.

One day I was walking back from school and I saw him just standing there staring at me. I said hi but he didn’t answer. “Rhaj?” I said, then he ran away. The next day at school he was there I asked him why he was being weird he said he didn’t go outside yesterday because he was ill. How could that possibly be?

There’s this one bully who is called Brendan the Bully he is the scariest, biggest, baddest bully in the whole entire world until today. One of the Year 4s bullied him and he was scared and ran away and never bullied anyone again. I once got a C4 for punching Brendan because he punched me. To teachers he’s a superstar. That’s the thing that’s not fair, he doesn’t even try on tests and gets in the 90s and when I try I get around 30 to 50 percent.

I walk because it’s only across the road. I saw him again but it’s not him it’s a clone of him. Suddenly, my mum casually walked past me with my lunchbox. I like to call my mum a superhero because when I forget things she is there for me.

One week has gone by without seeing Rahj at school and I’m starting to get worried about him. Where could he be? Nobody

knows where he is either. What has happened to him? Maybe he went on holiday or maybe he is ill.

I went to bed last night with a strange feeling in my stomach. I woke up and what happened next nobody could have predicted. I woke up and started walking to school.

A second later a green spark came off of a wood thing I knew what it was. It was a wand. I thought these things were only in stories, but no. Mum was a witch and I am now a son to a witch.

Aysha B, 10 The Lost Soldier There was a dreadful war going on, Germany and Britain locked in battle on the moory hillside. Lives lost, families broken, Bitter cold, the lost soldier, missing from his platoon, Tramped the frozen river searching for a place to rest. Memories of his childhood came flooding back. Suddenly recalling, he knew where he was. Long ago, someone had revealed the secret to him about a magical icicle Hidden in the depths of this snowy valley. Using the magic words would activate its power. He began running up and down the hills until he saw something shining, It was the icicle, just off the rugged path, Hanging down from the trees over Hollin Gill with a wild stream gushing below. He grasped it and began bolting up the hillside

To try and find someone to help him get back to his platoon. He had a plan. Eventually, seeing his training area he sprinted over to it, Seeing airplanes flying above he decided to turn them the opposite way. So he chanted: “Turn them around, as they must into the dust, dust, dust!” Confused he questioned one of the other soldiers where the action was happening. They said just go over the hill, so he rushed over the rough hills Until he reached the place he was looking for. He could barely look at everyone when they were all suffering in pain. So he quickly chanted: “Stop, stop, stop this war, make us good and not roar!” Then everyone stopped fighting and turned around to look at Andrew. After that he became famous and so did Hollin Gill.

Izzy C-H, 10

huge cat scratch in the world. I was attached to the bird.

I am a cat, a ferocious, daredevil cat with one fear. Water. The way it crawls around me and I gasp for breath, clasping the nearest safe point. I have once, and only once, ever encountered its terrible wetness.

I pounced at the bird, claws out, sharp and hungry. I hissed, much louder than intended. My paws drooped, and I fell into the deep depths of the aqua liquid. I coughed, and I knew, right at that moment, I was going to choke to death.

I was sitting down, tail curled round my soft furry body. I sniffed the air, purring with delight in the beautiful sun. It was at that moment that I noticed a plump, juicy blackbird perching on the diving board of my owner’s pool. My rough ravenous tongue licked the place where my mouth should be.

I struggled to hold my breath a little longer, the pain was excruciating. After a few minutes I saw hope, or more specifically, a rat and a long, twisted rope. He chewed gently at the rope, then pushed it to the edge of the freezing pool. My claws dug into it, and the rat used his rodent teeth to pull it backwards.

“Delicious,” I smirked, eyes widening. “So, that lovely mint leaf shall be my side dish, and that succulent bag of prawns in the fridge shall be my starter. Let’s eat!” Something was warning me at that moment in time. Don’t try to eat that tasty, luxurious bird. It will only lead to devastation and horror. Don’t try, don’t try, don’t try, DON’T TRY! It spoke to me, but I ignored it. Nothing could separate the wonderful food and I, not even if my owner bought me the most

Drew G, 11 The Hero and the Boy It was an ordinary day and today was the day that Will would go camping in the forest on his own. He was leaving at 2pm so he got out of bed and got his breakfast. He only had a slice of toast because he was really excited to go. It was only 11am

at the time and the time seemed to go really slow. He didn’t know what to do. He had already packed his bag with a tent, sleeping bag, pocket knife, torch, food and his flint. He went on his PS5 for a bit but still it was only 12pm. Two more hours to go, he thought. Finally it was time to go into the woods he got into his dad’s blue Bugatti that had mini guns coming out of the bumper like James Bond’s car. Anyway, they had a long drive and there was going to be a lot of traffic because it was the summer holidays but they were there in time. He got his bags out of the car and said goodbye and marched into the woods. It was going to be dark in two hours so he had to find a good place to put his tent and fire. He got a good place and got his pop-up tent out and put his sleeping bag inside. He got his dinner out that his mum had prepared he ate it and got into this tent but he had forgot what his dad had told him: “Don’t leave the fire on while you are going to sleep.” He woke up to him being surrounded by fire then a man came and grabbed him. Will couldn’t believe his eyes he was flying in the sky the man dropped him off at his house safe and sound.

Elsie L, 10 The Magic of Kindness Once there was a little girl, who had no known name. She was always helping people, through their upsets, hurts and pain. The girl lived in a village, known as Robin Hood’s Bay. And where our story starts, is during the middle of May. One sunny morning she woke up, and packed up her helping kit. She took plastics, tissues and magic cream, and of course, her teddy named Mitt. She headed first down to the beach, found a child with a cut on his knee. She helped him feel better with a plaster, and a dot of magic cream. Her next stop was Station Road Stores, where a postman, having sneezed, dropped his sack.

She smiled kindly and gave him a tissue, picked up letters and parcels, handed them back After this she went to Pirate Ship Park, where a girl sat lost on her own. Our girl gave her Mitt to cuddle, while she helped her to find the way home. Her last stop before lunch was at Stephen’s Church, where a man crying sat by a gravestone. She put a plaster on his heart, saying “I’ll sit with you. You’re not alone.” You may think this girl is a superhero, with powers of magic plasters and cream. But the real hero of this story is kindness. Kind is something we can all be.

Florence B, 9 Grandad’s Garden Gardening noisily, having lots of fun Riding lawnmowers enjoying the warmth of the sun. A crowd of children running excitedly everywhere, Nature flying through the air. Daisies being collected by girls and boys And Grandad’s garden was his pride and joy. Driving lawnmowers is so much fun. My grandad told me,: “These flowers are getting old.” “Yes,” yelled grandad, “These flowers have been sold!” He’s my hero every day. Echoing memories will always stay. Riding a lawnmower is fun to do all day, Only grandad’s lawnmower is the best of them all So if you want to have a go just give us a call.

Poppy B, 9 Murphy is a dog, but not an ordinary dog. He was a super dog he has superpowers. Flying, sonic hearing and laser eyes. Cool, am I right? One day Murphy was chilling in his secret base. He was playing with his ball. Inka was going to the shops. She walked and walked until she saw the shops. She just had to walked across the road she looked at the shops and started to cross without locking to see if it was safe. A car was heading towards Inka and she didn’t see the danger she was in. Murphy’s ears pricked up and he could sense there was danger in the air and he knew instantly that he had to save his friend. He flew, listening to the car was with his sonic hearing. He saw Inka walking across the road the car was nearly touching Inka when Murphy swooped down and picked Inka up and safely dropped her off at the shop door. Inka clapped so much and shouted thank you when Murphy flew off to his next adventure.

Oskar B, 7 Dear Rob the Postman, Thank you for delivering my parcels you never stop, not even when it rains. Please don’t stop. You have delivered more parcels and some are massive and some which some you might lose. You are my hero because you never give up on your job.

Harry G, 9 Harry’s Blog Hi Guys, Welcome back to my blog page. Me and my family have recently moved into a new house and you’ll never guess what? When we took the wall paper down, we found a newspaper from 1874 glued to the wall! Have a read of this: 1874 Bay Guardian 4d 9 Foot Monster Terrorises the Village

Last week, local farmer from Middlewood Farm reported six sheep missing and three others horridly injured with gashes across their legs and bodies. He was so shocked that he was cold to the touch and too scared to even think about it. The farmer’s wife hasn’t slept since. “All I remember, was a towering shadow blanket over me and a red muscular arm coated with ripped clothing reaching to get me, so I leapt away through the woods, knowing whatever had that arm attached to its body would have been my demise.” This is Alan Laycock’s view of the sheep rustler, now viewed as a monster throughout the village. A local carpenter, May Black, also saw the monster and described it as a tall, well-built yet vile creature with sharp teeth, a long drooping nose, big strong arms but puny knobbly-kneed legs. On hearing the stories pass around the village, Joe Black (Mary Black’s son) made a mask from discarded materials and based it on his mother’s vile description of the monster. He then claims that he told his mum that he was just playing

monsters with his friends. However, really he planned to lure the monster into a cave at Mill Beck where it would have plenty of food (fish, crabs, limpets and even seaweed), fresh from the shore and therefore not need to attack any people or livestock again. No one in the village saw him doing this but he alleges that he did and villagers seem to back up that he did lure the monster into the cave. Many villagers have since heard groans and mysterious crunching noises coming from the deep dark cave. The boy is now classed as a local hero and the smugglers’ cove, once known as Mill Beck, now has the nickname Boggle Hole. Can you believe it? I think this is a marketing technique that helped attract tourists to the area, just a scam… or could it be true. Could the cave really be the home of this mysterious monster? See you soon everyone, I’ll investigate the cave and let you know what I find in a couple of days. For now, bye-bye!

Henry H, 9 Noodle Man and Bowbow It felt like an ordinary day for Noodle Man and Bowbow. They were inside their noodle cave discussing their plans for the day. “What are we having for breakfast?” Noodle Man asked. “We are having crumpets with butter,” replied Bowbow hungrily. Whilst eating breakfast they talked about everyone they had saved so far. “What is your superpower?” Noodle Man asked Bowbow. “I don’t have any superpowers, but I do have a special skill of shooting bow and arrows” he replied proudly. After breakfast the noodles left the cave and set off for a drive in their Noodle-Mobile. Suddenly, as they were driving along Cleveland Way, they saw in the distance a cliff with cracks in it. They looked up and saw ten people partying on the cliff in the sunshine!

Katy C, 10

Christopher B, 9

My Everyday Heroes

Dear NHS,

I have many different heroes And I love them all the same. I’m going to tell you about them, I’ll do it by name. My daddy is a firefighter, He drives a big red truck. He puts out fires And helps people who are stuck. My mummy is a dancer, She is putting on a show. So if you like to dance Mesh Ballet is where you go. My sister’s really kind And we play around a lot And now we are always together Our bond has tightened like a knot.

I am writing to you because you have worked throughout these hard times. But the main reason I am writing is to say thank you.

Katy G, 8 Dear NHS nurses and doctors, We know you have been working hard to beat Covid-19. I’m writing this because we are here to thank you for all your hard work. Like I said, what you have done is amazing and I think you are lifesavers because of how you helped beat Covid-19. Also when I grow up I want to be one of you.

Millie P, 9 A little bird told me There was once a little swallow, her name was Sky. She was both brave and beautiful. One sunny afternoon she was flying over Whitby when she noticed a group of people gathered around a sign on a footpath. She flew down and overheard someone saying: “they are going to tear down all the beautiful trees and plants on the old railway line to widen it and put a hard surface down!” “What?!” Sky whispered, “I must tell the others immediately!” Sky rushed to tell the wise owl who knew all the woodland creatures. They agreed that they would pass the message around as quickly as possible, so that all the birds and animals could remind the passers-by of the old railway line’s beauty and that it was their home. Sky was weary so visited her favourite garden in Robin Hood’s Bay to rest. Her friend, Nanna, was outside and she asked Sky why she looked so worried. Sky shared her tale and Nanna

was horrified “We will help you, we must stop this together!” she declared. Nanna and Sky put together a plan – every creature would have a part to play. Butterflies would dance around children’s heads, deer would race in the fields alongside the bikers on the track, bats would put on sunset displays, trees would whisper in the breeze invitingly, flowers would bloom just as people walked by, and birds would sing their most beautiful songs as a calming melody. Other creatures would appear when passers-by least expected it, to remind people of the magic that the old railway line held. Very soon on the track children’s laughter filled the air, adults walked hand in hand, families went on nature walks, and people who usually rushed took the time to appreciate what was around them. People really started caring for the track, picking up litter, planting seeds, repairing fences and so much more. In the background Nanna and her two granddaughters Millie and Eva, organised petitions, put up posters, gave news

interviews, encouraged wildlife groups and the local schools to support their plan, and researched endangered species that lived along the old railway line. Hundreds of local people joined the fight to save the old railway line, with people from all over the UK sending ideas and messages of support. At last, they received the amazing news that their plan had worked and the old railway line would be protected for generations to come to enjoy. To celebrate, everyone who loved the track gathered for one big party. Music filled the air while animals leapt with joy and humans danced through the night. To end the party everyone sat peacefully together to watch the beautiful sunrise full of many colours that flooded the old railway line with dazzling light.

Olivia G, 11 Hero and his mum It was an ordinary day in Paige and Kealan’s flat. Kealan is a messy intelligent boy who loves trains, especially Thomas the Tank Engine. Paige is like a tomboy but she changes her personality so often. She plays on the PS4 and wears tracksuits (sometimes). Kealan was in the living room doing a puzzle as Paige was watching the old Richie Rich on her TV. Then a bird came to the window, it was blue and pink. The yellow beak was banging on the window. Kealan was shouting birdy, birdy really loud. Paige got up and opened the window, the bird quickly flew in. Paige saw a letter on its foot she grabbed it. It said in big capital letters: DO NOT TOUCH – It’s for Kealan. Paige gave it to him. He opened it. It said: To Kealan, don’t show this to anyone. There is an evil queen in Robin Hood’s Bay and half of your family is there you are the hero. You can save everyone.

He scrumpled it up and put it down the radiator. Paige saw, she asked what it was, Kealan just sat down and watched Peppa Pig. It was the next day, Kealan got up and dressed by half six. He packed his things because he didn’t know how long he would be there for. Then he snuck out the door, Kealan got outside and remembered he can’t drive as he’s a baby. He put his hands in his orange pockets, he found a piece of bread, he ripped it up into little crumbs. The crumbs were green they lifted him up so high he grabbed a star.

Phoebe W, 10 Dear Mrs Bond, Thank you for setting work for us throughout the pandemic to try and keep us learning. I think you are a hero because you kept teaching even though we were at home. You kept us going when times were tough. Thank you.

Then the bread crumbs dropped him he wasn’t in his flat anymore, he was in his nan’s garden. He looked around and the evil queen was standing right in front of him. He wasn’t ready for this. He was going to defeat her with the star. He got a big run up and threw the star. It hit her right in the stomach. The evil queen was laying there dead on the floor.

Tyler M, 9

Hannah B, 7

Mum, you’re the best

Dear mum, I am writing to say thank you for working in Covid-19 for us thanks for being so, so, so, so, so kind. I think you are a hero for doing your job.

Mum you’re amazing, you always help me up when I fall. Mum you’re incredible, you turn the bad things into nothing at all. Mum I love you, because you never let me quit. Mum you’re wonderful because you help me with every little bit. Mum you’re inspiring because you’ll always show me the way. Mum you’re the greatest because you always know what to say.

Charleigh J, 10

Tyler A, 10

Dear Police,

Dear the NHS,

I am writing to you to say thank you very much for all your hard work during the pandemic. You have helped us all by keeping us safe and breaking up parties.

I am writing to say thank you very much for all of your hardwork during the Covid-19 pandemic. Every day, rain or shine, summer or winter, you came to help fight off Covid.

I think you are heroes because you get up every morning even if you feel scared. You work all day or night or even both. I really appreciate all of your hard work.

We have not been able to go out, eat out or just go out in general. When you helped people got better from coronavirus it reduced cases so we could do more things. The NHS helped reduce most of the Covid cases.

Maddie J, 7 Dear Mr Jenkins and your friends,

I really appreciate that you stepped up and worked as front line workers during the harder times of Covid. I also would like to thank you because you got up and went to work hoping to find a cure.

You have helped by staying late at bedtime. I am writing to say thank you for doing your job in the hard times.

Bryony J, 11

Harriet R, 8

Dear Kate the Policewoman

‘Harriet the Hero’

I am writing to say that I really appreciate for what you have done during this pandemic, rain or shine, you got out and risked your life for others. You have stopped all of the parties and keeping all of us safe by wearing a mask when you go out and stop crimes happening around the country.

It was an ice, cold day in Hinderwell forest and the snow was nearly at the top of Harriet and Emma’s wellies. They were playing their favourite game of hide and seek, in the bushes, rivers and behind trees. It was Harriet’s turn to hide. She found a spot behind a snow-covered holly bush. She liked that spot because of the bright, red and juicy berries.

You never groan about going to work. I really appreciate all of your hard work, you have helped by putting criminals in prison and fining people if they don’t stop their partying. I think you are an everyday hero.

Jessica H, 9 Dear Mr Davies Thank you for letting me in to school so I don’t have to work alone with Natasha and to know that when I come into school I don’t have to be alone so I can see my friends

“Ninety-eight, ninety-nine, a hundred…I’m coming,” shouted Emma excitedly. Just then, out of the corner of her eye, Harriet spotted a rabbit. At first it seemed cute, but there was something strange about it. Harriet and Emma decided to stop their game and follow the rabbit. As the rabbit disappeared through a gap in the bush, Harriet and Emma were astonished at the sight of an abandoned cottage. As they stepped closer and closer they saw dead flowers and trees, a broken door along with smashed windows and rooftiles. They decided to investigate and cautiously stepped inside.

Once they were inside they saw hundreds of books, but one of them caught their eye, it had no title and it was locked. They looked for a key, which they found in the ashes of a fire. Did somebody try to burn the key? Emma slowly turned the key in the lock. Suddenly the book fell to the ground and the room filled with an enormous cloud of smoke. As the smoke cleared the two girls saw a beautiful fairy with a pink and purple dress and cyan shoes. Her name was Sunflower. She told the girls that by unlocking the book they had released a ghost, which needed to be caught quickly before it took over Hinderwell. The fairy looked melancholy. There was no time to lose. The three of them raced frantically out of the cottage, through the bush and onto the street where they saw the ghost behind the war memorial. Harriet ran as fast as she could and opened the book. The ghost disappeared and was never seen again. Harriet was a hero.

Jack W, 8 Dear teacher, I’m writing to say thank you for doing your hard work for dealing with the trouble. You’re an everyday hero.

Sophie R ,8 In sunny Scarborough there was a colourful rainbow spotted by a nine-year-old boy called Blake. He decided to go to find the end of the beautiful rainbow. So he packed some food drinks a blanket and a torch in case it got dark. He set of for his exciting journey. First he looked in Peasholm Park, but he could only find some big and wide bushes and trees and also some loud squawking geese. When he looked in the open-air theatre and he saw the rainbow but not quite the end. So he moved quickly onto the beach. He saw some red, orange, yellow and green chalets and then he saw the large shimmering rainbow and he was very happy to see the end.

But the only thing was the end of the rainbow ended in the middle of the sea. Blake got a kayak by paying a man to borrow it. He climbed in and hopefully paddled to the treasure chest which was glimmering in the distance. The gold sparkling treasure chest was open – it made Blake so excited. But then something suddenly happened and he got sucked into the rainbow. The sparkling flying hero got a call that someone was stuck in her crystal glimmering home. So she flew as fast as she could past the houses, trees, buildings and to the sandy beach. She used her powers to get the treasure chest when she got there she jumped in. When her glittering rainbow shoes touched the ground she started looking for the boy. He was stuck in the mirror crystal. She took hold of the hard crystal.

kayak. Rainbow had an idea so Blake listened. Blake got the kayak and rainbow got some rope and double knotted the rope round the red, green and blue kayak. Then she started glided through the sky holding the brown rope in her powerful hands. Blake felt like he was on a rollercoaster. Rainbow’s hands were aching but she did not give up because she was the everyday amazing superhero. She helps at least one person every day. Blake did not find any treasure at the end of the rainbow but he was happier he met the everyday rainbow super hero.

She said to him: “Climb on my strong back”. “Okay,” said Blake. So he hopped on and rainbow jumped 100cm upwards and back into the warm air. As the rainbow hero zoomed through the air, Blake remembered about the

With thanks to the following schools, whose pupils’ wonderful work is included in this anthology:

Braeburn Primary and Nursery Academy Newby and Scalby Primary School Wheatcroft Community Primary School Fylingdales Primary School Northstead Community Primary School Snainton Primary School Lythe Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Cayton Community Primary School

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